Procrastination vs. Production

Procrastination is the bane of my existence. I'm always putting off doing something important - whether it's something around the house, something for school, or writing for AC. Over time, however, I've had to learn to focus my attention and make myself get things done. If you're fighting procrastination when writing, or working on other things, here are some tips to aid in production.

P: Plan - Plan what you need to get done and how you are going to do it. If you already have things planned out, you can avoid sitting there wondering what to do next. This saves time, and keeps you going once you get started without any bumps in the road.

R: Relax - Get comfortable. Your procrastination will only increase the more uncomfortable you are. Don't give yourself any reason to get up to stretch, or pause to find a new position. Once you break your concentration to do this, it will be harder to get back into the zone.

O: Organize - Organization is a key to success. Your work area should be organized, as well as your ideas and your plan of action when you sit down to get things done. If you have papers or files, these should be organized in a fashion that makes it easy to go right to what you need when you need it so you can keep your pace.

D: Do Away With Distractions - Anything in your work area that can distract you from the task at hand should be eliminated. Surround yourself with only the things you need to get the job done. If you're working at home, turn the television off, and make sure that everyone knows you're going to be working for a slotted amount of time.

U: Utilize Your Time Wisely - Set goals for yourself in terms of time management. Set time limits to get things done. If you know how much you have to get done in a certain amount of time, you can pace yourself accordingly.

C: Clear The Clutter - Remove any unneeded items from your work area. It is important to have your resources close together, but extra items in your area will only create distractions. Your mind needs to be clear to be productive, and your desk area should mirror that need.

E: Enjoy Yourself - If you don't enjoy the work you are doing, it will be less than you're capable of doing and will not have the desired results. If you have to do something that you dislike doing, try to focus on the positive aspects of it rather than the negatives.