It’s the end of the academic year. Papers are due, final exams are being given, and students are stressed out with the sudden influx of work. However, it’s not as though any of the assignments and papers were unexpected. They knew what was coming at them and could have been adequately prepared in advance. Unfortunately, nothing is done about these assignments until the deadline becomes pressing. As a post-grad student, my colleagues and I are all too familiar with this cycle and very well versed in the fine arts of procrastination. I also know that procrastination can be a huge problem for anyone from students to CEOs. I’m going to share with you six tips that I have found to be helpful in giving me the necessary motivation and confidence to manage my projects and tasks.

1. Assess your values. Clearly identify what the task or project is you are working on and why you are doing it. What are you working towards? What will you get out of it? How is this connected to your passions and governing values? What’s driving you?

Perhaps you’re working on a report for a course. You may initially tell yourself that you are are doing it only because it was assigned by the teacher or professor. But why are you in school or college? Is it because you believe it will lead you to a better life? Is it because you genuinely enjoy your course of study but this once class is just not your forte? Instead of focusing on doing the report because your professor assigned it, you can look at it in ways of supporting your higher value of staying in school or college. Finishing the report will allow you to continue studying those courses you genuinely enjoy.

2. Reframe Should/Must/Have/Need to Want/Get. Telling yourself the you should/must/have to/need to do something takes the task out of your hands. It does not leave you in a place of choice or power. If you tell yourself that you want to or get to do this project because you’re excited about it or because it is in alignment with your passions and values, then you will be much more motivated.

3. Set Boundaries with Others and Yourself. Tell people that you are busy and can not be social until you have the goal completed. Turn off your phone. Make sure your workspace is clear, comfortable and as free of distraction as possible. Set up regular times to do your work and stick to them.

The computer can be our most useful tool and our worst enemy. Set boundaries for yourself with it as well. Disable things like instant messaging, new email notifications, and the web browser. Use these only during break times.

4. Actions/Tasks vs Projects. The lack of clarity between actions and projects can be one of the biggest causes of procrastination. If you don’t narrow your projects down into action steps, then your tasks remain amorphous and overpowering. I explained more about actions and projects in my article Basic GTD.

5. Work with Positive Associations. Surround yourself with things you find pleasing but aren’t distracting. Incorporate your 5 senses and use things that you positively associate with your work.

6. Breaks. Be sure to take regular breaks. This will keep you from getting tired or burnt out, and give you time to clear your mind to think of fresh ideas and new approaches.