PROCRASTINATION …

don’t wait till tomorrow to beat it!

Aim to “eat a frog” first thing, every day!

Not literally, of course, but get your worst task

out the way first!

Procras�na�on…

Deal with it NOW!

DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

COUNSELLING AND CAREERS DEVELOPMENT UNIT

West Campus: Opposite Chamber of Mines Bldg

Educa�on Campus: Administra�on BldgTel: 011 717 9140/32

Email: info.ccdu@wits.ac.za

What IS Procras�na�on?In a nutshell, procras�na�on is pu�ng off things you should be doing, in favour of things you’d rather be doing – o�en because they’re more fun or you feel that you’re be�er at other tasks.

YOU are not alone!

If you’ve found yourself pu�ng off important tasks over and over again, you’re not alone. In

fact, many people procras�nate to some extent – but some are so chronically affected by

procras�na�on that it stops them finishing important assignments, or studying for exams.

Okay, but what can you do?The first step to a more organised, produc�ve and fun student life is to recognise that you are prone to procras�na�ng. Consider some of the reasons for your par�cular type of procras�na�ng, understand why it happens (even to the best of us!) and take ac�ve steps to managing your �me and resources be�er. Procras�na�ng o�en leads to feeling guilty when spending �me with friends or engaging in fun ac�vi�es, which makes this �me less fun than it could be.

Take Control NOW!

If you have a genuinely good reason for

rescheduling something important, then you’re

not necessarily procras�na�ng. BUT if you’re

simply “making an excuse” because you really

just don’t want to do it, then you are!

Tips to get you MOVINGŸ Make up your own rewards. For example, promise

yourself a treat at lunch�me if you've completed a certain task… and make sure you no�ce how good it feels to finish things!

Ÿ Ask someone else to check up on you… posi�ve peer pressure works!

Ÿ Iden�fy the unpleasant consequences of NOT doing the task, such as going into exams with low semester marks.

If you're procras�na�ng because you're disorganised, here's how to get organised:

Ÿ Keep a To-Do list using the A-B-C-D-E method out l ined to the r ight , so that you can’t “conveniently” forget about unpleasant or overwhelming tasks.

Ÿ Set yourself �me-bound goals. That way, you’ll have no �me for procras�na�on!

Ÿ Focus on one task at a �me.

If you're pu�ng off star�ng a project because you find it overwhelming, you need to take a different

approach. Here are some �ps:

Ÿ Break the project into a set of smaller, more manageable tasks.

Ÿ Start with some quick, small tasks if you can, even if these aren't the logical first ac�ons. You'll feel that you're achieving things and feel less overwhelmed.

If you’re doing it because you find the task unpleasant:

Ÿ Many procras�nators overes�mate the un-pleasantness of a task. So give it a try… you may find that it’s not as bad as you thought!

Ÿ Keep the unpleasant consequences of not doing the task at the front of your mind.

Ÿ Reward yourself for doing the task.

Priori�se the Right Things:The A-B-C-D-E Method

The best method for se�ng priori�es on your list, once you have determined your major goal or objec�ves, is the A-B-C-D-E method. You place one of those le�ers in the margin before each of the tasks on your list before you begin.

Never do a “B” task when there is an “A” task outstanding. Never do a “C” task when there is

an “A” or “B” task outstanding, etc.

Using this method, it’s easier to sort out what is important and what is less important. This will focus your �me and a�en�on on those items on your list that are most essen�al for you to do.

Ÿ “A” stands for “very important” - something you must do. There can be serious nega�ve consequences if you don’t do it.

Ÿ “B” stands for “important” - something you should do. This is not as important as your ‘A’ ta s ks . T h e re a re o n l y m i n o r n e ga� ve consequences if it is not completed.

Ÿ “C” stands for things that are “nice to do,” but which are not as important as ‘A’ or ‘B’ tasks. There are no nega�ve consequences for not comple�ng it.

Ÿ “D” stands for “delegate”. You can assign this task to someone else who can do the job instead of you.

Ÿ “E” stands for “eliminate, whenever possible.” You should eliminate every single ac�vity you possibly can, to free up your �me.