How To Beat Procrastination

Let’s face it. We’ve all done it before. You start off with a sense of encouragement and motivation to start that assignment. You feel confident and sure of yourself that you can put pen to paper and go on an ‘essay-frenzy’. Nothing can stop you now…

… but then…

… you see an advert for a Netflix Original Series… or somehow your finger touches the Instagram app… or maybe you just fell asleep. Then, what started off as the beginning of a productive day ends up probably being the best nap you’ve ever had.

Whatever the case may be, procrastination is a complication. On the bright side, there is a solution to this and it’s summed up in one word: Refresh.

Refresh your mind

What we feel is generally linked to how we behave. So, if we procrastinate, it’s most likely due to how we are feeling on the inside. We can’t expect ourselves to achieve success if our minds are not up to the task or if we don’t feel the necessary motivation. So, change how you feel! It’s easier said than done, but not impossible.

If something terrible has happened, whether personal or academic, take a breath of fresh air and distract yourself from the issue. Take a walk or read a book, even if you hate reading. Something so small can really change the way you think and feel and ultimately change the way you behave.

Refresh your body

Don’t just have a shower. It helps, but it’s not the only thing you should try. For some, going to the gym really helps to blow out all the ‘inner-steam’, for others even the mention of the word brings more stress. The point is, you know your own body and you know what it needs for it to operate actively. Once that happens, you’re one step closer to completing tasks instead of leaving them to the last minute. Sound familiar?

The worst thing you can do is to ignore the right choice. If deep down you know what the right thing to do is, do it! It doesn’t have to be a big first step, just make sure you make a step. Over time, you’ll see a ripple effect forming.

Refresh your spirit

What is the one thing that makes you happy? Happiness is a great way to lift your spirits and doing so can give you the necessary motivation to complete pending tasks. However, be careful with your answer because not everything that makes you happy is the right approach if you want to refresh your spirit. Getting drunk won’t give you the true refreshment you need (no pun intended). Think about what truly makes you happy. Is it a walk in the park? Hanging out with your family or friends? Eating? (You might want to control that last one).

Your spirit determines your mood. It’s the very thing that needs to be at its highest point if you want to enjoy life. Everybody must have memories where they felt their absolute best. So, thinking about one of those memories, what did you do that made you feel that way? Once you remember, do it again!

One last refreshing thought…

Refreshing your mind, body and spirit can help you handle the student problem of procrastination. When it kicks in, there is that feeling inside that tells you, “You’re not doing what you’re supposed to be doing”. Instead of ignoring that feeling, use it!

Transform that feeling into an act and do what you know you can do to motivate yourself.

Douglas Arias is a contributor for Inspiring Interns. 

Inspiring Interns is a graduate recruitment agency which specialises in sourcing candidates for internship jobs and giving out graduate careers advice. To hire graduates or browse graduate jobs London, visit our website.