Academic Resource Center
WHY DO WE PROCRASTINATE?
- To gain attention
- To feel powerful
- To avoid unpleasant or difficult tasks
- Because we fear failure
- Because we fear success
- We are overloaded or overextended
- We are perfectionists
- We need the "rush" of last-minute pressure
GET TO THE ROOTS OF THE PROBLEM
- Why do you procrastinate?
- When do you procrastinate? (Time of day? Day of the week?)
- With what types of tasks are you more likely to procrastinate?
- What are the benefits of procrastinating?
- What are the dangers of procrastinating?
- Who do you procrastinate with or for or because of?
- What tactics do you use to avoid or postpone work?
DEALING WITH PROCRASTINATION:
- Create a plan to reduce, control, and eliminate procrastination.
- Base this plan on the answers to the above questions.
- Attempt to reduce procrastination and slowly work toward eliminating it entirely.
Set a goal – Make this something specific, such as “I’ll do my reading before I watch TV.” Write it on a to-do list (checking things off is very satisfying). Start slowly and be realistic.
Check your progress – Are you keeping up with assignments? Are you prepared for exams without cramming? Are your papers done without extensions? Do you have time for both academics and a social life?
Give yourself rewards – A light at the end of the tunnel helps to keep you moving forward.“Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.” ~William James