Unfortunately, procrastination helps reinforce itself. When we avoid doing something we dread (like writing) by doing something we enjoy (such as watching TV, getting together with friends, etc.), we escape the dreaded task. Given such a choice, it’s not surprising that numerous of us elect to procrastinate. As soon as we write a paper during the last minute but still find a way to obtain a good grade, we feel even more compelled to procrastinate the next occasion around.

What you should do about this

Now you may have procrastinated in the past, let’s explore some of the strategies you might use to combat your procrastination tendencies, now and in the future.Be patient; improvement will come with practice that you know a little bit about why.

Take a listing

Figuring out exactly when and just how you procrastinate often helps the behavior is taken by you. It could be tough to tell if you are procrastinating. Consider the clues that inform you that is what you’re doing: as an example, a voice that is nagging your head, a visual image of what you’re avoiding or even the consequences of not carrying it out, physical ailments (stomach tightness, headaches, muscle tension), inability to concentrate, inability to savor what you are doing.

How do you procrastinate?

• You will need to ignore the task, hoping against hope that it will go away?
• Over- or under-estimate the degree of difficulty that the task involves?
• Minimize the impact that your particular performance now might have on the future?
• Substitute something necessary for something really important? (as an example, cleaning in place of writing your paper.)
• Let a short break become an extended one, or a night where you do no work at all? (For example, claiming that you will be planning to watch TV for Ѕ hour, then watching it all night.)
• Concentrate on one area of the task, at the cost of the others? (for instance, keep taking care of the introduction, while putting off writing your body and conclusion).
• Spend time that is too much or choosing a topic

Once you better understand how you procrastinate, you will be much better in a position to catch yourself doing it. Too often, we don’t even realize it’s too late that we are procrastinating—until.

Create a productive environment

When you have made the decision to avoid delaying on a certain writing project, it is important which you find a place to focus where you have at the very least half the opportunity of actually getting some writing done. Your dorm room may not be the accepted place where you stand most productive. Ditto the pc lab. You can’t connect to the Internet (e-mail and the Web are the bane of the procrastinator’s existence—as you probably already know) if you have a laptop computer, try going someplace where. Then chances are you are already pretty exasperated; don’t risk frustrating yourself even more by trying to write in an environment that doesn’t meet your needs if you are a procrastinator.

CAUTION: probably the most skilled procrastinators will be tempted to take this suggestion past an acceptable limit, spending an inordinate amount of time “creating a productive environment” (cleaning, filing, etc.) rather than nearly sufficient time actually writing. Don’t end up in that trap! While cleaning and filing are indeed worthy and necessary activities, if you only repeat this when you yourself have an approaching writing deadline, then you are procrastinating.

While you are thinking about the best place to write, consider also when you will write. When are you currently most alert? Can it be at 8 a.m., mid-morning, mid-afternoon, early evening, or late through the night? Attempt to schedule time that is writing you understand you’ll be at your absolute best. Don’t worry about when you “should” be able to write; just focus on if you’re in a position to write.

Challenge your myths

To be able to break the procrastination habit, we have to get past the idea that to be able to write, we ought to have all the data pertaining to the topic, and we will need to have writing that is optimal. In reality, writers never have most of the information, and conditions are never optimal.

Think of a writing project that you are currently putting off. On a single side of a bit of paper, all write down the reasons behind your delay. On the reverse side, argue (as convincingly as you possibly can!) up against the delay.

Break it down

The day you can get the paper assignment (ideally), or shortly thereafter, break the writing assignment up into the smallest chunks that are possible. As a result, the paper never has to be able to take on gargantuan proportions in your head. You are able to say to yourself, “Right now, I’m going to publish the introduction. That’s all, just the introduction!” And you also may custom writings reviews be more prone to take a seat and do that, than you shall to sit down and “write the paper.”

Get a new attitude

We shoot ourselves in the foot, to begin with, by telling ourselves how horrible a particular writing assignment is. Changing our attitude toward the job, whenever possible, may go a long way toward keeping us from procrastinating. Tell yourself that the duty is not so very bad or difficult, that you can learn how while you’re doing it that you either know how to do it, or. You could find, too, that if you start early on a specific assignment, your attitude never has the opportunity to get very negative within the first place! Simply beginning to write can frequently help us feel more positive about writing.

Ask for help

• Get an coach that is anti-procrastination. Then get help from the supportive people in your life if you are really determined not to procrastinate. Tell someone regarding the writing goal and timeline, and inquire them to help you determine whether or not your plan is realistic. A couple of times a week, email with a pal, relative, or mentor, to be able to report (admit?) on your own progress, and declare your promise when it comes to week that is nextor day or two). If, despite your very intentions that are good you start procrastinating again, try not to think, “All is lost!” Instead, speak with someone about any of it. They might have the ability to assist you to place your slip into perspective to get back on course.
• Get a pal. See if you can find a close friend to your workplace alongside you. They don’t have to be writing a paper; in fact, they can be Solitaire that is playing all you care. What matters is at the library (or wherever you have decided to write) at a particular time and stay there for a specific period of time, thus creating accountability that you arrange to meet them.
• Get assistance with your writing. If you are procrastinating since you think you might be a weak writer, then ask someone (a Writing Center writing coach, a present or former professor or teaching assistant, a friend) to assist you improve.
• Form a writing group. A writing group is a smart way for|way that is great undergraduate and more advanced writers alike to produce accountability, get feedback, and just get reminded that you will be not the only one into the find it difficult to produce and to enhance your writing. See our writing group packet at for more information on just how to form and sustain a writing group. Dissertation writers may benefit not only from joining a writing group but in addition from reading our handout on the dissertation. This handout was compiled by a former Writing Center staff member who eventually completed her dissertation.