beat the procrastination bug

Procrastination can be a serious productivity killer. It can get you into all sorts of deadline troubles, leading to frantic keyboard tapping and energy drink fuelled all-nighters.

It’s not just you – besides the most diligent and proactive of us, we’re pretty much all in this together. Picture the High School Musical number, except none of us want to dance right now. Maybe later.

So when the Independent reported on a uni student who blitzed through her dissertation project in a single night, mere hours before her deadline, we can’t say we weren’t a bit awe-struck.

And incredibly stressed on her behalf. But still. Impressive. 

Durham University student, Imogen Noble, blasted her 12,000 word final year project in and eight-hour energy-drink-and-sweets-fuelled library session, coming out the other side with a 2:1 in Philosophy.

As Imogen eloquently told the Independent: “What really kept me going was the fact that it was due and if I didn’t get it done I’m a mug who’s wasted three years lol.”

Yeah, we think she deserves her self-appointed title of “Queen Procrastinator”.

Jokes aside, procrastination really can be a serious roadblock that saps your motivation for studying, coursework, group projects, job applications, uni personal statements… Pretty much anything.

So we’ve gathered up some great tips from MindTools to help you beat the procrastination blues.

Firstly, they advise you to acknowledge that you’re procrastinating in the first place. If you’re filling your time with lots of pointless little tasks, or waiting for the “right time”, or stopping for lots of unnecessary coffee/snack/tv breaks, chances are you’re putting something off.

But don’t worry, acceptance is the first step to recovery.

Next, they suggest you work out why it is that you’re procrastinating. Is it because the task is boring? If so, they advise getting it out of the way quickly so you can focus on the fun stuff. Are you a perfectionist, worried about doing something wrong? Or are you disorganised and overwhelmed?

To tackle your inner procrastinator, here are a few top tips from their site to get you into gear:

• Forgive yourself for procrastinating in the past. Studies show that self-forgiveness can help you to feel more positive about yourself and reduce the likelihood of procrastination in the future
• Commit to the task. Focus on doing, not avoiding. Write down the tasks that you need to complete, and specify a time for doing them. This will help you to proactively tackle your work
• Promise yourself a reward. If you complete a difficult task on time, reward yourself with a treat, such as a slice of cake or a coffee from your favourite coffee shop. And make sure you notice how good it feels to finish things
• Ask someone to check up on you. Peer pressure works. This is the principle behind self-help groups. If you don't have anyone to ask, an online tool such as Procraster can help you to self-monitor.
• Act as you go. Tackle tasks as soon as they arise, rather than letting them build up over another day.
• Minimise distractions. Turn off your email and social media, and avoid sitting anywhere near a television while you work

Want some more advice on beating your cat video binging urges, and getting your head in the game? Take a completely valid, productive and well-justified wander over to their website for more tips.

And whatever you do, please, don’t leave your dissertation until the night before it’s due. Our poor hearts can’t take it.

Author

LUCY HARDING is the Editorial manager for Push. She is an English Literature grad and an MA Publishing student at UCL. She is passionate about international relations and cultural diversity, having worked closely with her university’s Erasmus society to support European students. She also spent a year abroad studying at California State University: Long Beach