Procrastination

     It was as if someone was reading my mind this week. I am a colossal, massive, giant procrastinator, the words could go on and on. This is something I have always known about myself but have always regretted admitting. I have been repeatedly told from my mom and dad that I have a problem, and have often been asked "When are you going to realize you procrastinate?" However, denial no more! I am fully admitting to my weakness and declaring defeat. I decided I was going to confront my troubles face on and attack them.
     After reviewing the chapter in the textbook on procrastination, I realized I couldn't use these strategies in a specific course. Rather, I would use a couple of them and see what happens when I sit down to complete work for multiple classes. I am the type of person who doesn't like to sit down and only do one assignment. If I am investing in a trip to the library I am going to spend a substantial amount of hours there and get everything done. However, this calls for a lot of time for procrastination in my book and this week I need to figure out how to stop it.

     The strategies I used this week although I admit haven't completely eliminated my procrastination tendencies they have definitely reduced them. The first one I used was the excuse buster. I am full of excuses whether to my friends, parents, or even to myself. I make up excuses as to why I can't just sit down and do my assignment. After writing them down on the page it forced me to see the stupidity of my actions and jump start and change them. It was a bit of a struggle at first but I forced myself to get through it.
     The next anti-procrastination strategy I used was the Time Waster this is similar to the excuse buster in some ways but very different in others. This also allowed me to identify all the things I do when I avoid my actual work. However here I wrote down what task I was actually avoiding. In this case, this week I have been crammed with studying for tests. I had one in IST and SOC both these course require detailed study guides. My goal for using the Time Waster was to show myself how much time I could save if I just sat quietly and did all my work and focused.
     One thing that I do use religiously and has saved my life forever is Self Control. This website allows users to download a program to their computer that they can then open and block specific websites. For someone like me who needs to constantly check the internet for information this program saved my life. Now, instead of having to turn off my entire internet or even closing my computer I can block the websites that distract me for forever long I want starting at 15 minute intervals. That way I can guarantee to myself I won't be looking at Facebook. Granted, there are many other ways to be distracted but this eliminates my biggest enemy.
     There are a lot more strategies in the textbook that I have not touched upon in my blog however, are very useful and in my opinion cover every area of procrastination needed to convert the hardcore procrastinators over to conscious studiers.