Deadlines in Calendar Are

Closer Than They Appear:

Overcome Procrastination

and Get ‘Er Done!ANDREA MAXIE, ACADEMIC SKILLS

How do you

procrastinate?

How does it

make you

feel?

Why are you

here?

What’s procrastination?

Delaying something even though you know you’ll

be worse off

Choosing instant gratification over long-term gain

3 components

Intention-action gap

Voluntary

Consequence

All procrastination is delay, but not all delay is

procrastination

What’s the problem?

We don’t get stuff done (or don’t get it done as

well, as easily, or as happily as we’d like)

We end up with lots of negative feelings

Guilt

Inadequacy

Self-doubt

Frustration

Depression

Why do you

procrastinate?

Why do we procrastinate?

As a student, you have…

Large amount of work expected

Lots of unstructured time

Many more desirable distractions

Little accountability

You might also suffer from…

Evaluation apprehension

Perfectionism

Feeling inadequate

Undeveloped study skills

Aversion to discomfort

Resentment

Being overextended

Lifestyle issues

Fear of success

Overwhelming negative emotional states

Instant gratification monkey

https://www.ted.com/talks/tim_urban_inside_the_mind_of_a_master_procrastinator?language=en

How do you

overcome

procrastination?

How to overcome procrastination

1. Recognize what’s happening

2. Forgive yourself

3. Understand why you’re

procrastinating

How to overcome procrastination

4. Make a plan

Assess tasks

Prioritize

Set realistic goals

Make a schedule

How to overcome procrastination

5. Breakdown tasks into VERY small steps

E.g., open a document, read the

chapter title, write down your name

A little action will…

o Make you feel better about the task

o Increase your self esteem

o Reduce your desire to procrastinate

How to overcome procrastination

6. Just start!

The “perfect” time will not come

7. Set yourself up for success

Identify the best times and spaces for productivity

8. Think of your future self (and be kind!)

9. Create accountability

Find a commitment device (e.g., give a friend $100 or a valuable possession – you get it back when you’ve completed your task!

What will you

do now?

MAKE A

PROCRASTINATION

COMBAT PLAN!

Resources and References

http://www.procrastination.ca/

http://waitbutwhy.com/2013/10/why-

procrastinators-procrastinate.html

http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/07/chronic-

procrastination/

http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2015/01/how-to-stop-

procrastinating/

WWW.TRENTU.CA/ACADEMICSKILLS