I am a chronic procrastinator. I am haunted by the specter of many missed assignments and have risked failure of classes many times in my life because of it. Even as an adult, I continue to fight this battle between a desire to get things done and embracing life’s simple comforts. It can be hard to talk about procrastination and one’s struggles with it, especially at prestigious universities like Brandeis where academic struggle feels most embarrassing. For the lost souls out there struggling to make the grade, this message is for you.
Procrastination is a common manifestation of a fear response instinct called evasion. We are compelled not to do our work because it requires confronting subject matter we don’t fully understand. The bad habit is also drawn by an aversion to boredom; work really sucks, and it’s hard to swallow that that’s what life is sometimes. I have special advice on how to overcome both of these distasteful emotions from my background of personal experience, so listen up!
- Establish Your Stakes
When confronting a fear, it’s sometimes helpful to sit down and write out what’s actually at stake. You’ll often find that the consequences of failure are far higher than those of getting the work over with. If that rationalization isn’t motivating, that may actually be a sign that the stakes aren’t high enough! It may sound crazy, but the worst-case scenario of failing a class is too abstract of a threat; it might sneak up on you eventually, but it will probably be too late by that time. You need something to lose in the short term too, so set one for yourself. What that is depends on who you are, and it can be as crazy as you want, but the sooner it is, the better!
- Fill Empty Space
In my experience, the only thing more distracting than intrusions is dead air. Working in an isolated space is good for some, but for me, it adds a desire to fill the void, and increases my urges to reach for the phone or another distraction and stimulate my deprived senses. I’ve found it more productive to work in public spaces with a small amount of ambient “people sounds” to fill the awkwardness. Places like the library or the SCC offer good spaces with just enough privacy to work alone with other people around. If that’s too much, try working in a public space with headphones in to mute some of the sound.
- Seek Assistance
Working with another person, even when they aren’t doing any work related to you, is probably the best advice I can give. The buddy system method is tried and tested! Setting a timer is a common way to compel oneself to work, but if that isn’t enough, having another person with the same time planning to work with you works wonders. You and the friend keep each other in check, because that means having someone in your corner who wants you to succeed as much as you do them.
If these three tactics still aren’t enough, it may be time to consult a professional about deeper issues with work. A lack of intrinsic motivation to do work can be a sign of long-term anxiety, depression or other mental health issues, so don’t be afraid to reach out to relevant resources. Remember this: overcoming procrastination does not have to be a solitary effort. Reach out, it may help more than you think!
