As Dr. Blumin talked about procrastination in our previous class, I realized how I was a procrastinator indeed. I thought I finished all the products on time before the due dates, and I thought I studied for the tests a lot before the exam date. However, As I looked over my habits and activities I've done during I do my work, I had to admit that I was also a procrastinator. Somehow, although I always tell myself not to waste time and get on with my work on time, it usually fails. So, I thought about what the problem was. As I listed the "Excuses" and "Time Wasters" I realized why I have been failing to work on time.
For the Excuses that I've used as a procrastination, I said that I "played video games to rest my brain" from work too much. However, the truth is that I have not actually used up my brain as much to be tired: I was simply playing computer games just because I did not want to work, but I was rationalizing myself that I was simply resting from the hard work for few minutes. The problem with playing video games is that it would not be few minutes: 10 minutes will become 30 minutes, 30 minutes will become an hour. I would then tell myself that I would get back to work after an hour, only to regret later for wasting time.
Also, I tend to go in a study room and work "together" with my friends. However, this is not really working because unless we do not have same homework, we would not need to work "together." We are simply working, and socializing - mostly socializing. This really wastes my time because I cannot focus on reading our textbook or writing essays when there is socializing going on around me. But somehow, even though I know I should not work in this atmosphere, I stay. Especially when I need to read a textbook for my History 102 class, because there is a lot to cover, I really need to be out of this kind of atmosphere.
Also, as I listed my Time Wasters, I realized the biggest obstacle for me was the electronics. I found myself awefully a lot on Facebook, telephone, or MSN messanger, talking with friends when I could be working on my homework. Although I can talk to someone on the phone for awhile, thinking about how much time I've spent in Facebook, I thought to myself ", what does facebook actually do to benefit me?" Of course it could keep me connected with friends, but I can do that after I finish with my work. Just because I did not get on facebook for few hours does not mean that I will lose contact with my friends. That goes the same with the MSN Messanger. So, instead of wasting my time at such things, I could read extra sections of my History 102 textbook, prepare for Astronomy 104 exam in two weeks, or write a paragraph on my HOA 106 essay.
I realized why I always stayed up late finishing my work. Yes, I was procrastinating not because I wanted to but I made myself to do it. Without realizing, I was continuously wasting my time in useless things and that made me sleep late everyday. When I had free time, if I spent those times working on my homework, I could have the whole night with the free time to do whatever I want to do. If I want to finish the rest of the semester in success, this time wasting needs to be stopped! Let's not waste our time guys!
I haven't tried Excuse strategy but I did used the time waster as my strategy of the week. It's great for visualizing and identifying what's wasting your time during the day. Also, I think I will be using time waster strategy for other courses and really utilize the concept in my schedule as well. Not only it will work with academic courses, but it's possible to use it as a personal problem identifier as well. Excuse strategy looks interesting and I will check that out once I'm done with my work this afternoon.
ReplyDeleteYes, set the wasters aside and actually get your work done fast, then you will have plenty of time for them even after you are done. I noticed that this is very true, and wasting time just seems like they give no benefits compared to getting work done firsthand nad quickly. Starting before getting into your distractions will keep you focused on what you are doing now, and eventually lead to better quality of work, and you can rest afterwards. Procrastination is a lazy tool.
ReplyDeleteIt really seems like all the social networking and online chatting has gotten you to procrastinate on your work. Apparently, the same reason applies to me. Thus, I have found a resolution of simply putting away my laptop when I start my work; It really got me going on the things that I had to do. By using this strategy, it helped me to explore the different reasons behind my procrastination. Hopefully, it has done the same for you. Good job overall roommate
ReplyDeleteFor those who haven't tried the excuse strategy, I say you should try it as well, along with the time waster strategy. Though, they sound similar they will give you different kinds of benefits and ways of avoiding procrastination. Like Adrien, I used both strategies to maximize the potential of avoiding procrastination.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the Excuse strategy, I thought, "it really looks like the time waster (which you also used)." I guess both strategy's goal is to let you know what kind of activities distract you from doing your works. The Time Waster, a strategy I used for this topic, helped me recognize the distractions that keep me from completing my academic works. Like you said, I now know the reason why I stay up until late to finish my works. Let's try to finish the works much early and get some sleep!
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