AboutKenneth Renshaw Expertise Basic questions about time management, and the use of Day Timers paper and Sharp/Palm eletronic devices in time management.
Experience Day Timers, Sharp OZ, and Palm (Handspring) organizational devices.
Question How to eliminate procrastination? How to live a planned life and finish important tasks first?
Answer Hi, thanks for writing! Procrastination is a habit, and, like all habits, take a few weeks of concentrated effort to change. We all have habits to work on, including myself. 1. Spend 10-15 minutes EVERY day (weekends included) to plan the day (or the night before for the next day). List every thing you want to accomplish. There are 2 kinds of events in a schedule-timed (a certain time, like a class or meeting) and untimed (a goal that can be done at any time of day). Prioritize all of them (A-vital, B-important, C-some value, D-waste. Remember "urgent" doesn't necessarily mean vital). Refer to your schedule often (paper, Daytimer, or PDA are examples of devices for a schedule-keep it with you ALL the time except in the bathtub! I even keep my PDA by my bed in case an idea comes to mind. Use only ONE device for your schedule, so it doesn't get out of control). 2. Place your procrastinated A's as a timed item, although it can be done at any time, to emphasize importance and combat procrastination. 3. Do your A's first (under-schedule these in a day, so they are ALL done). Then do the B's (over-schedule these, as they don't HAVE to all get done). Procrastinate the C's, eliminate the D's. 4. Give yourself a reward (free time, something you enjoy doing, snack, etc.) when an unpleasant A gets done. 5. Schedule breaks when you need them, but use an alarm watch or clock when it is time to resume work, so you don't procrastinate again. 6. If you have a big project, break it into parts and do them (and check them off) one at a time. 7. Do the most important (A's), and, particularly, the unpleasant tasks first. 8. Schedule just 10-15 minutes EVERY day to do some organizing in your room-it will add up to a big difference. Try to keep things organized by putting things up after using them and preventing disorganization. Good luck and write anytime!
