There will always be something more interesting and fun than whatever task you need to complete. There are distractions everywhere; a funny video on YouTube, your friends, an interesting article on Facebook, or a new game app. The battle for concentration is a daily one that never ends. No matter what you are doing must choose between instant gratifications and doing whatever it is that is going to benefit you more in the long run.
And while everyone fights procrastination on a daily basis, that doesn’t mean that you have to be a slave to it. Instead of sabotaging yourself with distractions and putting obstacles in your own path, you can choose to overcome them by starting your day off on the right foot and having a game plan. Here are some ideas that you can implement into your life today so that you can become more productive and stuff done now.
1. Stop browsing the Internet. It wastes time, so if you really don’t need it don’t use it. If it’s really a problem for you, there are many free apps online that you can download which will block your Internet connection for a certain amount of time, so that you can get things done.
2. Learn to say NO. The sooner you learn to say no to new commitments and interruptions, the more time precious time you have to work towards your goals.
3. Time your tasks. Timing yourself to complete a certain task in a certain length of time is a great way to work faster and make more use of your time. When you don’t have a clear amount of time set, your work expands to fill the time you allow it and it can take you longer than necessary to finish a simple task.
4. Pretend your day ends at 11 a.m. This forces you to take quick action on what is most important. While most people are barely starting to plan their day at this time, you will have already accomplished your goals for the day. You will be amazed at what you can achieve by 11 a.m.
5. Work at the library for an hour each day. The library is a great place to work when you need to get things done. When people who are focused and concentrated surround you, you are more apt to focus yourself. This is especially true if you tend to get distracted by your roommates. Allocate just 60 minutes in the morning to working quietly at the library on assignments that demand quality thinking.
6. Start now. Often the hardest part of doing something is just starting, so start as soon a task as you can. We often waste more time thinking up excuses for as to why we should not do something, when we could have already started long ago.
7. Hold yourself accountable. If you are in school join a study group, or tell your friends what you plan on doing. This way, you will be held accountable for completing tasks, forcing yourself to do them.
8. Remember why you are doing it. Don’t forget to look at the big picture. When you know what you are working towards in your life, you will feel more motivated to get up in the morning and start your day. When you have something to look forward to, or a reason to get stuff done, you won’t even have to think about it and you will just do whatever it is that you have to do.
9. Clearly define tasks. If you just write, “study math” in your to-do list, you won’t be very likely to follow through. You need to be specific and not just have a vague idea of what you are going to do. The clearer your goals are, the easier it is to get them done. If you are not sure about what you need to do, ask yourself what needs to be done next to move your project forward. Maybe first you need to send an e-mail, or create an outline. Whatever it is, define it and do it.
10. Visualize yourself completing your tasks. When you take a few minutes to imagine yourself successfully doing something that you need to do, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
11. Work with your energy. Maybe you’re a night owl, or maybe you work best at 5 a.m. Whatever time it may be, figure out when your energy is at it’s peak and make use it to your advantage to get stuff done.
12. Use your gap time. Those 10 minutes you spend waiting for the bus to come could be spent looking over flashcards, reading a book, or brainstorming. Every minute counts.
