Overcome Procrastination

1. OVERCOME
PROCRASTINATION
10 Steps to Avoid Procrastination and Reach
Goals

2. What is Procrastination?
 Procrastination is when you put things off for a
later time. Forms of procrastination include:
 Ignoring the task, hoping it will go away
 Underestimating how long it will take
 Overestimating your abilities and resources
 Telling yourself that poor performance is okay
 Doing something else that is not very important
 Believing that repeated “minor” delays will not hurt you
 Talking about a hard job rather than doing it
 Putting all your work on only one part of the task
 Becoming paralyzed when having to make choices

3. Procrastination Problems
 Procrastination can lead to:
 Failing tests and classes
 Panic and anxiety
 Development of a cycle that will
continue on in other life
situations

4. Now is the Time to Stop
 If you are procrastinating or putting things off
for the next day, then now is the time to stop.
 If you do not stop, you could find yourself in a
whole mess of trouble.
 Therefore, this presentation is dedicated to the
ten steps you need to take to overcome
procrastination.

5. Step 1: Recognize You Have a
Problem
 You must first become aware that you have a
problem in procrastinating.
 You know you are procrastinating when:
 You fill your “To Do” list with unimportant tasks
 You decide to do something else that you consider fun instead of
working on the task (ex. Facebook, X-box, iPod, texting)
 You keep putting important task for the next day and next
 You easily say “yes” to anything that takes you away from your
work

6. Step 2: Figure Out Why You Are
Procrastinating
 Ask yourself why you are
procrastinating:
 Is it because it is boring and
unpleasant?
 Is it because it is too difficult?
 Is it because you are disorganized?
 Is it because you are overwhelmed by
the task?
 Is it because you are a perfectionist?
 Is it because you do not know which
task to do first?
 Once you discover what your
reasons are to procrastinate, then
you can develop an action plan with

7. Step 3: Get Organized
 Make a “To Do” List on what
needs to be done and when it
needs to be done. Allow time to
complete things and set time
aside for the unexpected.
Prioritize the list on what needs
to be done first.
 Set reasonable goals and
deadlines for each goal.
 Once you complete a task,
check it off. You will feel great in

8. Step 4: Identify Your Frog
 There is an old saying that says,
“If the first thing you do when
you wake up each morning is
eat a live frog, nothing worse
can happen for the rest of the
day!”
 Brian Tracy says that your “frog”
should be the most difficult task
on your “To Do” list and the one
you are most likely to
procrastinate on.
 If you eat the frog first, it will give
you energy to finish other tasks

9. Step 5: Break Task Into Smaller
Parts
 If a task seems too much or too overwhelming,
break it into smaller and manageable tasks.
Tasks can be broken into minutes, hours, or
days.
 By completing these small tasks, you will get a
feeling that you are achieving things which will
give you momentum to complete more tasks.

10. Step 6: Eliminate Distractions
 You may be putting things off because you are
easily distracted by your cell phone, Facebook,
friends, iPod, X-box, etc.
 To get things done and stay focused, get rid of
the distractions around you. If necessary, turn
them OFF!

11. Step 7: Do Not Expect
Perfection
 Perfectionism is one of the
biggest reasons for
procrastination.
 Do not wait for the perfect time
to start because it will just
prolong procrastination.
 Also, do not expect perfection.
No one is perfect. It is better to
try your best than do nothing at
all!

12. Step 8: Get a Support Team
 Tell your friends and parents to check up on
you or to remind you of your priorities and
deadlines.
 Tell them to hold you accountable for your
goals and deadlines.

13. Step 9: Get Started
 Going from doing nothing
to doing something is
often the hardest part.
 Therefore, get a grip and
just do it. Dive in and
TAKE ACTION!
 It takes about 15 minutes
after starting to become
engaged. Once you have
reached this level of
engagement, you will see
that it will be hard to stop.

14. Step 10: Reward Yourself
 After reaching mini goals
or deadlines, reward
yourself with a break, a
movie, or some kind of
treat as you continue
towards your ultimate
goal.
 These little incentives will
give you more energy to
keep on going.

15. As a Result…
 If you follow all 10 steps, you will accomplish
more and be successful in any task you take
on.

16. Video: Eat That Frog
 Eat That Frog

17. Video: How to Stop
Procrastinating
 How to Stop Procrastinating