When distracters and procrastination disrupt your schedule, they become obstacles to your goals. Then the time, energy, and other resources that should help you reach your goals end up being lost on unrelated tasks. Then you find yourself working to rebuild a workable schedule.
Distracters divert your attention away from the things you must do and may include things that seem like they would be more interesting, more fun, or easier than the things on your schedule. Sometimes even worthy activities—washing the car, talking to your mom, even cleaning your room—are used to avoid doing a scheduled task and become the excuse to procrastinate. When you allow yourself to be distracted or to procrastinate you are showing that you value an immediate activity more than the tasks that are important to your goals.
There are two ways to cope with distracters and procrastination and thereby stay on track to your goals; you can avoid them or you can adapt your plans to accommodate them.
Use these strategies to better cope with distracters or procrastination:
- Train yourself to evaluate your decisions about use of time by considering their impact on your schedule.
- Use a save the best for last policy. If you get the unappealing tasks done first, you will be motivated to work toward the more enjoyable tasks.
- Review your schedule at the beginning and end of each day to remind you of the your scheduled activities and commitments.
- Learn to recognize your weaknesses. When you know what things draw you away from your schedule, find a good place in your schedule for them. This allows you to have time for things like social networking or a long chat with a friend without having those things ruin your schedule.
Why do distracters sometimes get in the way of achieving your goals?
- they are problems
- they are costly
- they divert your attention
- they create new goals
Distracters divert your attention away from the things you must do and may include things that seem like they would be more interesting, more fun, or easier than the things on your schedule.
Distracters divert your attention away from the things you must do and may include things that seem like they would be more interesting, more fun, or easier than the things on your schedule.
Distracters divert your attention away from the things you must do and may include things that seem like they would be more interesting, more fun, or easier than the things on your schedule.
Distracters divert your attention away from the things you must do and may include things that seem like they would be more interesting, more fun, or easier than the things on your schedule.
What is one strategy this lesson suggests for avoiding distracters or procrastination?
- do the things you like least first
- wear ear plugs when you study
- do the things you enjoy most first
- change your goals
Use a save the best for last policy. If you get the unappealing tasks done first, you will be motivated to work toward the more enjoyable tasks.
Use a save the best for last policy. If you get the unappealing tasks done first, you will be motivated to work toward the more enjoyable tasks.
Use a save the best for last policy. If you get the unappealing tasks done first, you will be motivated to work toward the more enjoyable tasks.
Use a save the best for last policy. If you get the unappealing tasks done first, you will be motivated to work toward the more enjoyable tasks.
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