Procrastination: The Death Of Thought
March 31, 2009 | No Comments | Graphic Design
If it seems like you’re buried under a work load that looks mountainous and seems to be growing while you look at it – you could be a procrastinator.
I find procrastination leading to endless nights of no sleep, more stress, and slightly more irate than I’d be normally if I had done things in advance. Though it happens to everyone, even the best of us.
I’ve tried multiple ways to slay this beast we call procrastination, though none of them working quite as well as I’d like,but never fear, I’ve devised a plan that helps me remember what I need to get done and how to get it done. I’ll take you through my own system of getting around to doing all the things I need to do and to slowly diminish this mountainous pile into a few papers at most.
1. Trick yourself.
By tricking yourself, I don’t mean tricking yourself in a funny haha way. I mean you should set deadlines 3 to 4 days before the actual project is due. Giving time gaps like that, makes it easier that if something were to occur during the process, you have those 3-4 days to go back and fix things and fine tune. That and you won’t be stressing about how you wish you had more time and turning in what is ultimately crap.
2. Write what you have to get done during the week and tack it up somewhere or keep it with you.
For me, I usually write my own list in big bold letters in red and black ink and stick it in front of my computer screen so it’s in my line of vision, and of course having it be an eyesore for myself.
I usually break my tasks down into order of importance, thus where the color coordination comes in handy, though you can do what you wish. I label things in red that I need to get done immediately.
3. Give leeway for things.
It’s all right to take a break every now and then, though never take one longer than needed, because of course there are things you need to get done. The longer break you have, the more time you’re wasting.
4. List things in matter of importance.
This is where color coordinating comes in handy. I usually stick to two colors, red and black. I write the subject in red and then what I need to get done in black. The immediate things I write in all red and in bold. Then I break it up into sub-sections of what I can get done. – I usually do away with the easiest thing first then the hardest at the end, but you can do it however you want.
5. Breaks.
Take them frequently, but in 10 to 15 minute intervals, because any longer and of course you’ll be procrastinating again and/or doing other things not pertaining to what you need to get done.
6. If you’re not feeling creative, do something to get your mind off what you’re working on.
I find creative when I’m not having to think about being creative – no matter how hard that is to believe. Usually I do find my best ideas when I’m not forced into having to think creatively, that or if I’m relaxing. Under the stress and pressure of getting things done last minute, I find things not as I’ve wanted them to be. If you have the time to spare – take a small walk and bring a notepad with you and just jot a couple things down that you see. Sometimes creativity springs from a simple color you might happen to see.
7. Visuals.
Browse through a couple magazines or books that are unrelated. I also find this really helpful. I find it helps break away from what current design you’re working on. Though don’t get too desperate or you might be pulling stuff from other design that you wish you hadn’t – and now is it really you work or not?
8. Always Remember This.
You should be having fun doing what you’re doing, cause if you aren’t then what’s the point? Even under all the stress of things, there’s always room for enjoying what you do.
Post written by DEF at http://www.twitter.com/DEFgraphics.
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