Putting the brakes on procrastination.

1) Stop making procrastinator an identity. You aren’t a procrastinator, you are a person who procrastinates. Break up with procrastination as something you are really close to or that is a part of you; instead, think of it as a thing you do, sometimes.

2) Accept that there are elements of procrastination that are working for you. What are they? Do you like the extra pressure? If so, move all your deadlines up and then pretend that they are the most serious and important thing ever.

3) What happens when you finish early or on time? Is there something negative that you do or experience when you finish early? Some people say that if they finish early, they still just obsess about an assignment or freak out when they don’t get an A. If you finish late only to avoid finishing early, figure out how to stop turning an early finish into drama.

4) Think specifically about what you truly dislike or hate about finishing late. Ask yourself if it’s worth it. Ask yourself if you want to feel that way forever. Some people do; they like thinking that their lives are always CAP LOCKED!!!!! If you like it, enjoy it and stop stirring in the negativity. If you don’t like it, then it’s back to 2) ask yourself sincerely what you get out of doing something you don’t like.

5) Most importantly: do something. You don’t have to do everything, but take a step toward starting. Not ready to start your paper? Cut up some fruit for snacks and make a sandwich for later, that when you get hungry in the middle of working you have a quick snack ready. Clean up your work area, so that it’s ready when you are. Collect the books and supplies you’ll need for the work. ANY little thing. Then do another little thing.