Do you want to get started now on a summer time project that will reap benefits into next school year? Try working on eliminating procrastination. Summer is the easiest time to put off working on anything so why not get started on procrastination elimination [PE].

“Procrastination makes easy things hard, hard things harder.” ~Mason Cooley¹

I suppose we all procrastinate at one level or another. But when we have put off an important project or phone call it gets harder to do as we put it off even more.

Why do students procrastinate?

Here are some possibilities:

• A student might not know the importance of the task.
• It might be a job that is nasty.
• Someone with a perfectionist personality might have a fear of failure.
• The task might be difficult or confusing.
• The setting might have too many distractions.

What are the marks of a procrastinator?

• Putting off the beginning of a task. (duh)
• Giving up when the going gets tough.
• Too many irons in the fire.
• Thinking it will go away on its own.
• Lack of concentration.

What are some things I can do?

• Make a list of the tasks in order of their importance. Get help if needed.
• Break the job into smaller, manageable jobs. “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” Take a break.
• If it is school related- Ask for help.
• Make a schedule.
• Do the nastiest first. Then do an easier project next.
• Reward yourself. 

Proverbs 13:4 – The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

Try to keep a positive mental attitude throughout the task. Begin with the end in mind. Procrastination can be a difficult habit to break but it can be conquered.

When should you begin? Ha, silly question.

Don Netz

Principal