Weekly Course on Time Management – Week 16 – Stop Procrastinating

It’s 9:00 p.m. and you are still struggling with your homeschool plan for the next day. You are trying to complete the plan as your kids are tired and you are losing your temper while silently cursing yourself for starting so late.

But ever wondered what went wrong?

You spent hours on tasks that were not critical. While your kids were taking a nap, instead of using this time effectively, you checked social media and re-read emails that you have read before.

You are not alone.

Procrastination is a trap and we can’t help but fall into this trap. Unfortunately, procrastination throws time management out of the window. But on a positive note, you can stop procrastinating and manage time effectively.

Today’s time management lesson is all about stopping procrastination and managing your most scarce resource, time, effectively.

Prepare An Effective (And Realistic) Schedule With My Procrastination Therapy

Every person has a schedule to follow. While some people start their day with a rough idea of how their day would look like, others have a detailed plan for their day.

If you are a homeschool mom and tend to procrastinate, you need to prepare a practical and realistic schedule. Think of it like this; when you have a detailed plan for everything, you won’t have time to waste. Since every single activity will be timed, the time wasted would mean fewer tasks for the day.

However, it is equally important to have a realistic schedule. There should be at least some buffer for unexpected events (which are very common, especially when dealing with kids at your homeschool).

Take A Break

While I suggest you plan your day effectively, I also recommend that you should take a break. Short breaks allow you to return to work with a fresh mind and renewed perspective.

Alternatively, you can also try switching to another task or activity instead of taking a break altogether. It is beneficial for homeschool moms; for example, if you have become distracted by teaching a math concept, you can try something related yet different in another subject, such as language.

Use Time-Management Techniques

I have already discussed several theories of time management in my earlier lessons on smart time management. If you are new to the series of lessons, I suggest you refer to the time-management theories that I have shared so far and get better at managing time effectively.

Prioritize

You know you procrastinate right after lunch, but you are most productive in the first half. Capitalize on that opportunity and schedule the most critical task at the time when you are most likely to be productive. The technique may not completely resolve procrastination, but at least it will help you manage your time better.

Be Assertive

Look for things that push you to procrastinate. Usually, people tend to procrastinate when they find specific tasks uninteresting and boring. If you feel obliged to complete tasks that too hard or appear meaningless to you during your workday, learn to say NO. When you are more assertive, you will accomplish more and have the time and energy to do things that you want to complete.

Monitor Your Behavior

The last tip on how to stop procrastinating and manage your time effectively comes down to you. Keep a check on yourself. Monitor your behavior. Remember, no one can accomplish anything for you. Whether you are a stay-at-home homeschool mom or a working homeschool mom, only you will have to make a conscious effort and remember where you are spending every single minute of your day.

Final Words

Clearly, procrastination is all about the absence of using the right time-management strategies. While time-management techniques and procrastination are interrelated, you can get better at time management.

You don’t have to be a robot and walk with the clock’s hands to be more productive. Instead, you can chalk out a path out of wasting the limited time you have using the tips shared above.

Start using these tips practically, and you can make the most of your homeschool and your life!

Ashley Yeo 

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