For my last learning challenge, I read Four Questions to Help You Overcome Procrastination by Peter Banerjea. I figured with it being dead week, I need to learn some extra ways to avoid procrastination and make sure I use my time effectively.
This article proposes that a "self-interrogation" may be the best way to get yourself out of a procrastination slump, and suggests four questions to ask yourself when you're putting off work.
1. What one thing can I do to get started?
This very much reminds me of the "eat the big frog first" mentality. By breaking tasks up into steps, making the decision to get started, and getting the complicated stuff out of the way first, you can better focus your energies on tasks.
2. What are my three biggest priorities today?
I like that this one allows you to take a moment to step back and figure out what actually has to be done today, and what would just be nice to also get done today. Even though other tasks may be easier or more fun, ultimately tasks on a deadline need to take priority.
3. How can I make this easier?
This step acknowledges that often we think hard work is necessary for success, but sometimes we can take measures to make tasks easier for ourselves, especially during busy seasons.
4. What will go wrong if I don't do this now?
This one is a bit drastic, but it draws on "productive paranoia", or the idea that fear is a motivating factor. By walking through the consequences of not completing a task, it can help you get over a mental barrier to completing a task.
This article proposes that a "self-interrogation" may be the best way to get yourself out of a procrastination slump, and suggests four questions to ask yourself when you're putting off work.
1. What one thing can I do to get started?
This very much reminds me of the "eat the big frog first" mentality. By breaking tasks up into steps, making the decision to get started, and getting the complicated stuff out of the way first, you can better focus your energies on tasks.
2. What are my three biggest priorities today?
I like that this one allows you to take a moment to step back and figure out what actually has to be done today, and what would just be nice to also get done today. Even though other tasks may be easier or more fun, ultimately tasks on a deadline need to take priority.
3. How can I make this easier?
This step acknowledges that often we think hard work is necessary for success, but sometimes we can take measures to make tasks easier for ourselves, especially during busy seasons.
4. What will go wrong if I don't do this now?
This one is a bit drastic, but it draws on "productive paranoia", or the idea that fear is a motivating factor. By walking through the consequences of not completing a task, it can help you get over a mental barrier to completing a task.
(Procrastination. Source.)
Comments
Post a Comment