Procrastination

I was a TERRIBLE procrastinator. I think I've read pretty much every article on the subject..obviously before the thing I was supposed to be doing. I still procrastinate, but here are some tips and tricks I use to get things done.

1. Break down large projects into smaller pieces. Start with making an outline of the project to get an overall schematic of what it will take to get the project done.

2. Make lists! This is huge one for me. I LOVE lists! I love to check off items from my list. It's a great way to feel like your getting somewhere on a project.

3. So maybe the sock drawer needs rearranging. Maybe its super important you read that article on the perfect spinach dip first. Maybe this lego Bat-girl needs to be put together first. Put those items on your list. Use them as rewards. In other words, since you've broken down the large project into digestible pieces, tell yourself you'll get to read that article AFTER you do an item from your work list.

4. Time limits. I often give myself an hour of work time, followed by reward of some kind. So maybe it's something like, "after I work for an our, I'll get to..."

5. My last tip is to get ahead. I've had projects that feel overwhelming which can make procrastination even worse! Make sure you set deadlines, then get as much done well before the deadline.

I've found the more I follow the above routine, the better I've become at tackling large projects. I also think it's important to reward yourself once you've completed whatever task you've been putting off. In my case I was putting off setting up this blog. Now that I'm done and on my second post, I get to put together this lego Bat-girl that came with the blu-ray of The Lego Batman movie that I bought myself.