Week 3 – Time Management and Procrastination

The first thing I always begin with is the fact that we don’t “manage” time – we manage ourselves in the time allotted. We can’t control time – we control what we do in the time that keeps moving. Time management is making optimal use of available time.

Let’s first look at some challenges regarding time management – I call them “time stealers”. 

       TIME STEALERS

• Lack of planning – results in you taking an extensive amount of time to know where to start and what’s attempting to be accomplished. What usually happens is that the day’s events, chores, assignments, or projects don’t get completed and sometimes don’t even get started.

• Inability to say “NO”– This is nothing new, I’m sure you’ve heard this before; actually you may be the one to tell others to say no; but you can’t say it yourself. Learning to say no effectively must include a release of the power of guilt. You can’t say “no” and then spend the rest of the time feeling guilty. You must realize that you cannot do everything for everybody at all times.

• Personal “MESS” – It may not matter how you define “mess” it’s whether or not it affects your everyday life that matters. If your messiness costs you money, causes problems at work or home; it’s time to make a change. Messiness steals your time because it often requires endless searching for whatever is needed because it’s in a mess.

Time management tips for students:

• Plan Ahead

Purchase a calendar, use your iPhone, Tablet, etc. fill in weekly assignments with due dates highlighted. Set aside a time for studying – treat it as a scheduled appointment.

• Avoid multitasking 

Focus on one project or assignment at a time. You may do readings, note review, or exam prep but do one at a time.

• Set a timer for studying

 It’s something about knowing that you have a specific timeframe to study that actually motivates you to stay focus. You should plan to do 30-35 minutes intervals – with a timer set – break for 5 minutes (e.g. stretch, breath) and reset for the next 30-35 minutes.

This is actually called the Pomodora Technique – for more information click on this link called Pomodora Technique

• Be careful with online browsing 

Have you ever started out to look up one thing and before you knew it – you’ve been surfing the internet for 2 hours. Do not stop your readings or studying to “surf” the internet – if there is a definition or person you need to look up – make a note on a sticky and come back to it on your study break. Don’t stop the momentum especially while reading.

Procrastination

“Procrastination is to voluntarily delay an intended course of action despite expecting to be worse off for the delay.”* 

Don’t assume that procrastination only impacts the procrastinator – it impacts family, co-workers, colleagues, friends, and customers. If you continually procrastinate; people cannot trust you to do what you agreed to do. Procrastination comes with a high price.

However please know that most procrastinators are not lazy people, procrastination usually reveals hidden anxieties and self-destructive habits. (This will be something I’ll go through in more detail at another time.)

Why Do People Procrastinate?

• Lack a clear sense of purpose; lack of focus

• Inability to prioritize

• They don’t like what you do

• Excessive perfectionism – (Procrastination encourages you to put off attempting a task until you think you can do it perfectly).

• Fear of failure – (I must say you are guaranteed not to fail if you don’t attempt something however it can easily be said that not attempting is the same as failing in the first place).

Procrastination is not an easy thing to beat but here are some strategies:

Start easy and start somewhere: Most of the time we can be overwhelmed with where to start….just take a step forward on any type project or assignment. Planning can help but be careful – too much planning, and not actual doing, can move you right back into procrastination.

Do the difficult tasks first. Even if you feel you’re not a morning person, the beginning of the day is when your brain is most productive. Use this window of time to get the more difficult stuff done.

Break larger tasks into smaller pieces

Avoid over thinking – Doubt causes procrastination

Remember that You don’t have to do everything

Focus on starting, rather than finishing

Reward Good Behavior

Forgive Yourself Stop beating yourself up about the past. Thoughts such as “I should have started earlier” or “I always procrastinate; I am such a loser” will only make matters worse. Forgive yourself and start afresh.

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” MLK, Jr.

*Psychological Bulletin: The Nature of Procrastination: A Meta-Analytic and Theoretical Review of Quintessential Self-Regulatory Failure