Leaving everything till the last minute. Solution?

[Dimitri]

I'm always putting things off till the last minute, instead of doing them well in advance or in small chunks every day. What's the solution?

This may seem like the most simple question for those of you who read time management books, but I'm really having trouble completing any task that requires time and work and that isn't easy right off the bat for me. Think of it like homework.

[moimoi]

Originally Posted by Dimitri

I'm always putting things off till the last minute, instead of doing them well in advance or in small chunks every day. What's the solution?

This may seem like the most simple question for those of you who read time management books, but I'm really having trouble completing any task that requires time and work and that isn't easy right off the bat for me. Think of it like homework.

This is an example for called "procrastination".
Why don't you divide your tasks into smaller chunks as you say?
Are you really interested in your tasks or you try to complete them somehow just because you have to?

I can't give other advice than do divide them and complete those tiny tasks step by step.


By the way, whar do you do instead of completing those tasks that you leave until the last minute? For example, I rather clean my desk, room, surf the net instead of dealing with my projects...

How about you?

[Caddy]

I used to do this constantly!

One thing that helped me was when I read about something called "completion anxiety". The premise (which again, was true for me) is that subconsciously I know that once I finish a project - that is when I'm going to be judged on it.

It could be a project at work; a school paper; a little job around the house; whatever. So as a means of pushing off that uncomfortable feeling of 'I'm being judged' - I would put off the project to delay that feeling.

Once I was able to assimilate that into my brain - I was able to make some adjustments. The main one being - YES, I am going to be judged on this project. That is a fact and is unavoidable. SO - I'm going to be more organized with how I work at it - and I'm going to finish it in plenty of time so that I get a chance to polish the finished project.

Once you analyze it, procrastinating is totally illogical. It leads to putting forth a worse effort - and a worse finished project - which leads to a worse result during the judging period. It's a subconscious plan that is based on false logic.

So - I've been able to change over the course of the last 12 months or so and now try to do things as soon as my schedule allows.

[Clint Cora]

It seems that you already have a partial answer to your problem when you mentioned that other people read about time management. Hey, if it works for them, it might work for you. So in your case, yes, you would benefit greatly by learning more about time management and planning things in advance. Learn to use either a paper or electronic calendar where you can post tasks each day by the hour.

I personally use iCal on my Mac all the time and like others have suggested, post smaller tasks as part of bigger things you need to do. These smaller tasks or steps are all posted on my calendar over time.

The procrastination issue is also real for you. For some of the more challenging goals or tasks, you will benefit by recruiting others to help you and to keep you accountable. This is what I imply in my video on overcoming procrastination which may also give you some ideas you can implement. This particular video, because of the commonality of the topic, is one that is permanently featured right at the homepage of my website about halfway down the page.

[Leather Husack]

Originally Posted by Dimitri

I'm always putting things off till the last minute, instead of doing them well in advance or in small chunks every day. What's the solution?

This may seem like the most simple question for those of you who read time management books, but I'm really having trouble completing any task that requires time and work and that isn't easy right off the bat for me. Think of it like homework.

I have the same problem. But I find that when I go ahead and get it done, I am more worry free and feel like I have more free time on my hands. One of the things I use to make myself do it, is remember how good it feels to have it done. I also try to push myself into doing it. Just stop and not worry about any distractions. Mostly what I am talking about is homework. If I just try and go ahead and get it over with, it's always better than waiting until the last minute.

[Peter T]

I have same issue and i get panic on 11th hour. Couldn't do things the way i can do.

[sweetgirl]

I too have the same problem. The reason is deep inside I think i can complete the task perfectly on 11th hour or sometime better with the pressure on. Also I think doing early takes more time and energy from me.
May be I am wrong but I feel so.

Can somebody suggest me how to change my attitude?