Just Do It! Getting Past Procrastination Dawnita Nilles NDSU Extension Agent/Family Resource Coordinator NDSU Extension Service, Grand Forks County/Region IV, CSCC Serving families from the counties of Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina & Walsh

Webster Says… Procrastination is: “To put off intentionally and habitually the doing of something that should be done.”

The Society for Creative Procrastinators –“Dedicated to the pursuit of entertainment through creative and unorthodox methods” 1998 When doing a search for the word “procrastination” I found more than 30 sites dedicated to the subject

Why DO We Procrastinate? Confusion Lack of interest Fear

Why DO We Procrastinate? Disorganization –Work area –Poor distinction between urgency & priority –Distractibility –Forgetfulness –“lumping” or “chunking”

Why DO We Procrastinate? Perfectionism –3 characteristics Do things yourself because others can’t do them as well Won’t start something is you can’t do it well Need for closure The perfectionist delays the project to avoid the discomfort of it not being perfect

Why DO We Procrastinate? Other emotional factors and personality characteristics –Crisis makers –Overdoers –Pleasure seekers –Angry

SO… Why do Procrastinate? YOU

Getting Past Procrastination… Motivate yourself Eliminate confusion –Make molehills out of mountains

Getting Past Procrastination… Get organized –Use the ABC method Priority A: MUST do Priority B: SHOULD do Priority C: NICE to do

Getting Past Procrastination… Assess personal and emotional issues –Fear – learn to relish risk –Perfectionism – adopt a “good enough” attitude –Crisis makers – pace yourself –Angry – deal with it –Pleasure seekers – stop having so much fun –Overdoers – redefine yourself

Seven Day Procrastination Plan Settle it now Make it meaningful Take it apart Write an intention statement Find a reward Say NO! Tell everyone

With All This Information on How to Avoid Procrastination… JUST DO IT!