Ever sit down to start something, and then pop back up to make yourself a cup of coffee? Taking your steaming mug back to your computer, you settle in, but start emailing funny cat videos to your sister instead. Fifteen minutes later, your coffee is gone, and NOW you're ready to work. Except - it occurs to you that your carpet could use a quick run-over with the vacuum. You promise yourself you'll start working as soon as you finish a little light cleaning.
What's going on? You don't feel like working. That's fine. If possible, work ahead when you are focused and able to concentrate, so that you are never pressed for time later. However, there are going to be days when you absolutely MUST get something done.
So how do you force yourself to get to work?
What's going on? You don't feel like working. That's fine. If possible, work ahead when you are focused and able to concentrate, so that you are never pressed for time later. However, there are going to be days when you absolutely MUST get something done.
So how do you force yourself to get to work?
1. Just Do 20 Minutes.
Whether you're staring down reading two chapters from the Most Boring Book Ever or starting a 15 page paper, the best thing to do is just get into it. I used this trick all of the time when I was school. I'd look at the time and say, Ok, just do 20 minutes. Then if you want to stop, you can.
Once you're in the midst of it, chances are you will be motivated to work beyond the 20 minute mark.
Other ideas for tricking yourself into working for a set amount of time:
Another way to approach it is to divide up the tasks into parts and then promise yourself you will complete at least one "part." So if you have a long paper due in three days, you might divide it into the following 5 parts:
Then schedule yourself to do each part over the next two days, leaving yourself the third day to go back, review, and edit the paper.
Once you're in the midst of it, chances are you will be motivated to work beyond the 20 minute mark.
Other ideas for tricking yourself into working for a set amount of time:
- Work through 10 songs on your playlist
- Tell yourself you will work until ________ (dinner, your soccer game, your roommate comes back from her last class)
- Grab a 60 minute timer, close your eyes, set it to an unknown time, turn it around, and work until it goes off
Another way to approach it is to divide up the tasks into parts and then promise yourself you will complete at least one "part." So if you have a long paper due in three days, you might divide it into the following 5 parts:
- Outline paper and write one page introduction with clear thesis
- Write 4-5 pages on Point 1
- Write 4-5 pages on Point 2
- Write 4-5 pages on Point 3
- Write 1/2 page conclusion
Then schedule yourself to do each part over the next two days, leaving yourself the third day to go back, review, and edit the paper.
2. Treat Yo Self!
Nothing wrong with cajoling yourself into getting work done.
If I read three chapters this afternoon, I can watch my favorite show tonight.
Write the paper now, so you can have an extra-long dinner with your friend.
If I spend all of Friday doing homework, I can take the rest of the weekend off.
Give yourself a reward - or at least a good reason - for accomplishing all the items on your to-do list and you will find yourself more motivated to finish them quickly.
If I read three chapters this afternoon, I can watch my favorite show tonight.
Write the paper now, so you can have an extra-long dinner with your friend.
If I spend all of Friday doing homework, I can take the rest of the weekend off.
Give yourself a reward - or at least a good reason - for accomplishing all the items on your to-do list and you will find yourself more motivated to finish them quickly.
3. If You Don't Do This Now, Then...
Anyone who has ever interacted with a toddler knows rewards don't always work. You can promise a kid an ice cream cone if he cleans his room, only to watch him dump a bucket of Legos at your feet and then waddle off to go draw on the wall.
Harness your inner toddler who is protesting at the idea of doing something YOU DON'T WANNA.
If you don't get this done now, you're not going to have any other time to do it.
Write your one-page response paper now or you can't go to the movie tonight.
Stop wasting time whining about having too much to do and DO IT.
This tactic can be just as effective.
Harness your inner toddler who is protesting at the idea of doing something YOU DON'T WANNA.
If you don't get this done now, you're not going to have any other time to do it.
Write your one-page response paper now or you can't go to the movie tonight.
Stop wasting time whining about having too much to do and DO IT.
This tactic can be just as effective.
4. You Can, Actually, Do This.
Oh, but if I am going to be really honest with myself - and with you - when I find myself putting off work, it's actually because I'm quite terrified of doing it wrong. Of messing up. Of it being difficult and making me feel stupid. People procrastinate for a lot of reasons, but fear of failure is one of the major ones.
So, take your toddler self I described above in hand and say, you've got this.
Nothing in my past suggests I won't be able to get this done on time.
I've made it through harder courses than this before.
Trying is better than handing in a blank sheet.
If it really feels impossible, seek out additional help, either from an instructor (if reasonable before the deadline), a roommate or friend with knowledge on the topic, or an on-campus tutoring center.
So, take your toddler self I described above in hand and say, you've got this.
Nothing in my past suggests I won't be able to get this done on time.
I've made it through harder courses than this before.
Trying is better than handing in a blank sheet.
If it really feels impossible, seek out additional help, either from an instructor (if reasonable before the deadline), a roommate or friend with knowledge on the topic, or an on-campus tutoring center.
There you go. The next time you find yourself putting off work, give yourself a firm time limit, be mindful of your incentives, threaten yourself (just a little) with the consequences of further procrastination, and assure yourself you are capable.
Now get to work.
Now get to work.
