ROdown Blog
So stressed about all you have to do that you’re reading through the Reach Out blog to procrastinate? This blog is for you.
It’s that time of year where many of you are in the depths of mid-year exams, the holidays are in sight, but only just, and you’re possibly feeling a little snowed under with everything you still have to do…
For me personally, this was the time of year where I used to excel at creating elaborate action plans, amazing colour-coded timetables, (usually on whiteboards for ease of changing plans once I’d spent too much time planning), and with scheduled breaks for healthy snacks and exercise.
Unfortunately what often ended up happening were unintended lengthy TV diversions watching crappy shows I’d never wanted to watch before, an excessive need to do lots of baking, and all the time getting more and more stressed about all the stuff I had to do… and this was in the days before online social networking arrived!
Does this sound familiar? If so – welcome – you’re certainly not alone and there is hope for you.
I found evidence of this hope in a recent article by Erin O’Dwyer in the Sydney Morning Herald – When later never comes.
In the article it’s reported that procrastination is on the rise, with recent research showing the number of people admitting to procrastinating rising from 15 to 60 per cent between 1978 and now. Two-thirds of uni students describe themselves as procrastinators, and 94 per cent of all procrastinators say their habit impacts on their happiness – so this is something we need to do something about!
But what’s behind procrastination – why do we do it?
Well, according to Dr Jane Burka, co-author along with Lenora Yuen of the book Procrastination: Why You Do It, What to Do About It Now, there are three main psychological contributors, all of which relate to performance anxiety.
Some people never start due to fear of failure, some don’t believe they deserve success, and some people are worried about the demands they’ll be under if they are successful.
So basically – if you’re a procrastinator, it’s unlikely you’re lazy, and more likely that you’re a perfectionist!
So what can you do to beat procrastination?
- Break large goals into smaller more achievable steps.
- Get into it even if you’re not going to get it all done in one sitting.
- Make sure you build in personal rewards for getting each task or step finished.
Check out our goal setting fact sheet for tips on how to do this. You might also find info that is helpful for you in the Exam time: Hints for effective study and Exam time: Hints for managing stress fact sheets.
What works for you?
Tell us about ways you have beaten the procrastination bug. What got you over the hurdle to start those tasks that you kept putting off? What rewards did you use once you finished that 'impossible to complete' task?
Email this page
Not a member?
Join Reach Out to access a range of great member features.
Forgot your password?
23 Comments
Log in to join the conversation. Join Reach Out.
orchid
almost 2 years ago
Reply ReportCheck lists can sometime help. So long as your expectations are realistic. Write one while you have your breakfast in the morning instead of reading the paper.
orchid
almost 2 years ago
Reply ReportI am an ultimate procrastinator. So reading the article on it made a lot of sense to me. I am going to try breaking down large tasks into smaller ones. I am also afraid of failure. If I was to try and fail it would be worse than if I didn't try and fail because I can convince myself if I had of tried I could of succeeded. Thus my procrastinating. I just wish there was some way to break the cycle.
Andrew A T
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportHaha, lol. :P That sounds just like me! It's almost impossible for me to concentrate sometimes. :P Does anyone have any suggestions to overcome this?
anna
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportLori: that's great to hear!! Welcome :)
bellza27: No! Don't worry - being a perfectionist does not automatically make you a procrastinator and vice versa.
The article (and research) was saying that if you are a procrastinator, it is highly possible that you are also a perfectionist, and that this is what is causing you to procrastinate.
But, it wasn't saying this was necessarily always the cause of procrastination either :)
LaMortSuitLaVie: it's frustrating when things take longer than we know they should, huh :) Have you tried some of the tips in the article and fact sheets on goal setting and exam time? You might find them helpful :)
LaMortSuitLaVie
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportThis is so me. I spend hours doing homework thats only takes like, 15 minutes, coz I'm always distracted! Then I stress out coz I didn't do my homework.
bellza27
over 2 years ago
Reply Reporthang on. i dont get how you're a perfectionist when you're a procrastinator.. i sorta think im a perfectionist (is there anything wrong with that?.. but i think its fine... nothings bad happened to me!) but i dont procrastinate... :S:S:S
Lori
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportI'm studying Architecture so often I feel there is this pressure of having to be exceptional at everything and passing just isn't good enough so it feels. I often hold off projects in a mind set that I can't do it, I won't be good enough. Reading this has helped me. Going into my 2nd year of uni this September so with joining this site and having people to talk to I feel better. Thank you!
Antria
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportI think for me I enjoy my time on the net more if know I have time for leisure (or at times like holidays when I don't have to study). Also when I get home and jump on for 20 minutes or so and I know I'm not supposed to be studying and just checking around on the net.
Its like I enjoy a TV show much more if I sit down to watch it, than if I walk past and get distracted and start watching (don't watch much TV but now and then).
I think what I am realising is that I don't plan any leisure - I get home from uni/being out, often start sitting at my computer right away, eat dinner often while 'studying' and then continue with what I am doing until midnight when I get ready for bed. I think if I didn't procrastinate during the time I planned to study, I could then plan my leisure time more intentionally and decide then if I would like to go online, or to read a book, go for a walk etc etc. and therefore probably enjoy it more? I don't think I know how to differentiate leisure vs. procrastination unless I go out and when in full swing of study leisure often doesn't exist.
anna
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportYou have been thinking a lot about it Antria! I like it :)
I think you're right - we need to differentiate between leisure (putting time aside to do the things we enjoy and need to do, like exercise) and procrastination.
Question for everyone: do you enjoy using the internet/participating in activities you enjoy as much when you're procrastinating as when you're doing in as part of leisure time you've allowed yourself? Or when you're studying does leisure time for internet surfing and other things rarely exist, and is it just squeezed in?!
Or do you not really differentiate between leisure and procrastination at all?!
Agreed that people live incredibly busy lives and need to remember to be kind to themselves and not beat themselves up too much if they do get distracted :)
Interested to hear people's ideas!
Antria
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportI have been thinking about this lots since I read the blog, and also thinking about procrastination in general because I have been practising mindfulness lately to see how/if it works for me.
What I have been thinking is that I use procrastination (usually in the form of the internet, getting a cup of tea, sitting and doing nothing, lol) to try to help me manage feeling overwhelmed by what I have to do, or because I feel 'over it'. I also use the internet because it is something I enjoy doing...but a lot of the time what happens is that I spend so much time procrastinating that I miss out on the time to do things in life that would be more fulfilling and more enriching (e.g., going for a walk, doing art and even just handing out with my partner and friends).
I am realising that when I feel like I am procrastinating I'm not really enjoying myself I'm just avoiding something I have to do...and sometimes because it feels like no matter what I do there will always feel like I have more I should be doing so I just escape from that.
It's not like I procrastinate all the time, I definately plan my time out and always allocate lots of time for study but I feel like if I used this time more effectively I could live a much more fulfilling life in the process of study! I am going to try out some of the tips you guys have given for avoiding procrastination and try to practise using some of the ones that have worked for me in the past as well and see if next semester at uni I can manage my time better.
How does everyone balance being firm with yourself about not procrastinating too much, while still practising some self-compassion and not being too self-critical when you so get caught up and distracted from what you are supposed to be doing?
Ofazz
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportWho wants an example of irony? Im commenting on this forum to procrastinate and distract myself from an insanely boring assignment on the history of radio...
I'm not so sure my procrastinating is a result of high standards I honestly just feel lazy. However, one thing that I find works for me is breaking up an assignment into small sections and taking them on individually so that Im not overwhelmed by the size of the task, also setting a goal is vital.
Thanks Anna
anna
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportPS - Mischief_managed : no procrastination in writing this blog! I found the article interesting + thought it might be a relevant topic - seems like it is unsurprisingly! :)
anna
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportHey everyone,
Great to hear your ideas and different perspectives on why you think you procrastinate (or don't!) and what works for you to get things done.
Goal setting and giving yourself rewards for achieving particular goals sound like a popular strategies.
I also like mischief_managed's idea of giving yourself permission / setting a limited time for your procrastination activities (aka relaxation/a break?!), and then getting on with your work!
elaus30 - I like your rationale of broadening your reading/research material and getting a different/boarder perspective! I think I have probably been guilty of this - especially when doing research online which leads you to other interesting (but perhaps not 100% necessary-to-read) articles.
I guess the main thing is that you still have time to finish your assignment, and that the last minute stress/adrenaline rush is manageable for you. The other thing to remember is that things sometimes come up and that last minute time can evaporate - as you said - something to try and plan for :)
Keep letting us know your tips everyone if you have them!
:)
elaus30
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportI am continuely been accussed of procrastinating and not doing enough study; which is all true of cause.
However I have found so useful ways of ensureing that my effects at precrastinating can have a good out come (eg. getting assignment done dispite leaveing to last minute).
For instance I tend to end somehow doing something that is related to what I'm supposed to be doing. So whilst attemping to right a health related essay I'll watch E.R or something like that or read a different book to the one I need to.
This can also be very useful as you generally end up with a different and wider veiw point than than everyone else.
Also I've found that planing to plan has the advantage of always having back up plan should something go wrong.
Also here something else for everyone to chew over the later you leave something to be done, the more addralin that your body with release, whilst under pressure. Those helping you work more effectivly and quick as long as you don't go into complete melt down.
mischief_managed
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportOh by the way, Anna... Did you procrastinate writing this blog? :P
mischief_managed
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportI am so good at procrastination! :)
Libby
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportWhenever I find myself putting off a uni assignment, I find it helpful to tell other people about my assignment and write down my plans of how and when I am going to work on it. If I talk about it and see what I need to do in writing, it is hard to ignore. Also, I make plans with friends to go to the library together to complete our work. Homework is a little more fun when there are other people around.
Finishing assignments are a reward in itself. I remind myself that the sooner I complete my assignment, the sooner I can relax and not worry about it.
Of course this is easier said than done. :)
Becks
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportI can't say that I'm a procrastinator. I don't like feeling overwhelmed or anxious because of something like a uni assessment or study. I love having structure in my day to day life, and time frames are a really big friend of mine.
ehon
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportThat is the longest freaking title I've ever seen in my entire life. Lol. I think procrastination has also to do with being bored of what you were doing and not only anxiety. But keeps me on track is to actually set a time and what I need to have accomplished by that time - e.g. by 2.00pm I should have finished studying two chapters of Biochem.
Jessliz
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportI definately procrastinate when it comes to assignments, even though i have so much time to do them i always seem to leave them to week before their due, i dont know why i do it, i think it has something to do with my personality and the fact that i wont do something unless its absolutely neccessary.
Sonja
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportI am SUCH a procrastinator. Lol.
Perfectionism is large part of it for me, but the other part is that I absolutely ABHOR people ordering me about and ruling my life. I've had enough of that. I've gotten heaps of it and expect most of it will go on forever. Ugh.
I guess the only way to get over THAT would be an "attitude adjustment" ... LOL ;)
Antria
over 2 years ago
Reply Report..I am procrastinating by reading this and when I read the title I laughed out loud. Can I really say what works for me when I am procrastinating right now, haha.
I'm not sure if any of those reasons for procrastination really fit with me...not sure its laziness either think it is overwhelm and procrastinating is almost too reinforcing!
Liamay
over 2 years ago
Reply Reportwow sounds just like me!! Always calling myself the queen of procrastination!!
at the moment im procrastinating finishing my Youth Work stuff!! but when i was studying Community Services i procrastinated a fair bit - the only way that i got over my procrastination was i built up such a passion for the line of work that i just wanted to finish it! and i did - with flying colours! so my reward was a Certificate II in Community Service - which gives me awesome skills that i use to this day.. now just to gain a little more passion on Youth Work.. and ill be fine!