Setting and Achieving Goals

In Procrastination why you do it, what to do about it NOW by Jane B. Burka and Lenora M. Yuen, they discuss the behavioral goal. On page 175 they state, "It is most helpful to define your goals in behavioral terms. Focusing on what you will be doing when you accomplish your objective helps you recognize where you're aiming to go. A behavioral goal has the following characteristics: it is observable by you and others; it is specific and concrete; it can be broken down into small steps; the first step can be accomplished in just five minutes."

On The Right Track

Last period, I just finished my english presentation on an independent novel. I had to read 1984 and do a powerpoint presentation on it for the class with a few group members that would later be assigned. The book was given out before Christmas Break, but of course, I did not read any of it over the break. Last friday, my teacher gave out our group members and told us presentations would begin in exactly a week. I realized that I had not yet started my book, and still had a whole project to do along with it. Normally, I would just read spark notes the night before and stay up all night and finish my project. However, this was the first time that I made a list of what I wanted to accomplish at the end of each night up until the day of my presentation. So, last night all I had to do was practice my presentation and was not stressed at all! It was the first time I did not procrastinate until the night before to finish a big project, and it was such a good feeling knowing that I was done. However, I still wish I got more done so I did not have to cram so much work into that one week. But I do believe that I am on the right track!

George Washington Application

Last night, my application to George Washington University was due. Even though I basically finished the application because it is on the CommonApp website, I knew for the past two weeks that I had to write one more essay to submit with my supplement. I could not apply to the school until I finished writing that essay. I put it off for weeks because I knew I still had time, and since GW is not one of my top schools, it was not very high on my priority list. Yesterday, the day that it was due, I finally forced myself to sit down and get my essay done. It took me about fifty minutes to get it done, and afterwards I felt so relieved. I started thinking to myself that if I had just finished it during Christmas break or something, I would have gotten rid of so much stress that I had the past few weeks. I am really going to try and force myself to get my work done early and ahead of time, and in the end I know it will not only help to make me feel better, but it will also make my work better by having more time to work on it.

College Applications

The beginning of my year was very stressful for college applications. I finished filling out all of my information very early, however it took me months to finally complete my essay. With that one college essay, I would be able to submit my applications to 8 of my schools. Instead of working on it and getting it finished with so I could apply early action to some of my schools, I waited until the early days of December to finally get it completed. It took me about two days to actually complete my essay, and I put it off for months. The idea of my essay is what freaked me out the most. It is not that I just did not feel like doing it, it was the fact that it would be one of the most important essays I would have to write, and it freaked me out thinking about writing it. Now, all of my friends and fellow classmates have been getting accepted into schools, and I will not find out until March or April because of my procrastination!

The Unschedule

On page 111 of Overcoming Procrastination by Neil Fiore, "The important thing is that you got started. When you've overcome inertia, you've gotten yourself beyond the most difficult part. Sometimes "getting started" is enough to get it finished as well. The act of starting reveals the real work you must do, rather than the work of avoiding what has been feared. As you face that fear you see tat there is only work, difficult perhaps, but not the multiple worries and anxieties you imagined."

How to use the unschedule: (page 119)

1. Schedule only:

- previously committed time such as meals, sleep, meetings

-free time, recreation, leisure reading

-socializing

-health activities such as swimming, running, tennis

-routine structured eventss such as commuting time, classes, medical appointments

2. Fill in your unschedule with work on projects only after you have completed at least one half hour

3. take credit only for periods of work that represent at least thirty minutes of uninterrupted work

4. reward yourself with a break or a change to a more enjoyable task after each period worked

5. kep track of the number of wuality hours worked each day and each week

6. always leave at least one full day a week for recreation and any small chores you wish to take care of

7. before deciding to go to a recreational activity or social commitment, take time out for just thirty minutes of work on your project

8. focus on starting

9. think small

10. keep starting. finishing will take care of itself

11. never end down

"I don't know where my time goes"

On page 196, it is stated to use a blank "un-schedule" to write down all of the activities i i predict i will be doing in the next upcoming week. in addition, mark off time for routine activities, such as grocery shopping or filling the gas tank of your car, that happen each week. when you have finished filling out the un-schedule, look if over. it will show you the maximum amount of time you could use; the blank spaces reflect all of your uncommitted hours.

The Psychology in Procrastination

"Avoiding doing things, could be because of low self esteem, lack of confidence, stress, anxiety and fear of not knowing what will be the end result. People that lack of self esteem tend to avoid doing and taking responsability of the important tasks, because they thing they cant do it or they think they dont have the necessary skills to do it well.
Fear is something that provokes people to procrastinate, when they have fear of failure or have a lot of doubts of how to do their work and how bad it can result, then they avoid doing the work the most time possible, they will do it at the last minute with pressure and stress.
Also people that procrastinate does not have passion for what they are doing, they feel that they have to do the work, but they dont feel any desire, its just something that has to be done, so the postpone it.

The psychology of procrastination can be complex and different in every person, but no matter what the reason is, it can overcome it if you follow a clear plan to achieve your goals and you find your true motivation."


I am learning that procrastination is definitely something that can be overcome. It is all mental for me, and I can definitely overcome that psychological part of procrastination. Starting tomorrow, I am going to write down all that I plan to have finished by the end of the day. Also, I will set a time limit for myself so I cannot stop or change plans until I finish what was on my list. Hopefully, I will get in the habit of doing this and it will end my procrastination habit before I go off to college!