Evaluate yourself
- Have you been putting off tasks? Is the planned task achievable or overly ambitious? You might inconvenience others like your group members with the delay too.
The right timing
- Understand when you are most energetic or productive. Work on the task you have been avoiding during this period.
- Move on to the next task quickly.
- Make a schedule and follow the planned timetable accordingly.
Segmentation
- You need to take the first step by starting.
- You can do a small portion of the task before increasing the load gradually.
- Formulate a plan noting the different stages and steps to take.
- Break a large task down into smaller steps.
- Portion a short period of time for the task you have been avoiding. Increase the duration gradually over time to completion.
Be positive
- Embrace optimism. If you take a more optimistic outlook in life, it can improve both your physical and mental health. You will be able to cope better with stress and enjoy happier relationships with friends, family and colleagues.
- Give yourself a planned reward for completion of tasks.
Seek assistance
- Approach and talk to your professor. Seek clarification and understanding of information if it is preventing you from starting on the task.
- Get a buddy or group to work and start on the task together. Provide feedback to one another.
Change
- Reorganise and clear up your work space to motivate yourself.
- Experiment with working with music and in silence. See what works best for you.
- Unclutter your environment from distraction so that you can be focused on your task.
Goal setting and reminders
- Set an achievable timeline and breakdown of steps for your goal.
- Set some visual reminders (e.g. Post-It notes or handphone task reminders).
Starting off
- Get started with any tasks regardless of the difficulty. Once you start moving, you might gain some momentum on your own.
- Do the task you have been avoiding or considered difficult. Once it is completed, you will realise how simple and achievable it can be. You will then find it easier to move on to tackle the simpler ones.
