Clear anxiety, blocks that can lead to procrastination

Dear Annie: This is a burning question I’ve had for a while. As a student, I always have homework, but should I procrastinate or spread out the work over a longer period? Both end up with similar results for me.

Procrastinating gives me more time to do the other things I want, and I end up being able to complete my work in a short amount of time just before the deadline. But being “responsible” provides me with a more confident feeling about the results. And what about group projects? How should one go about finishing a group effort with limited time to meet? Student in New York Dear Student: When you put off work to go have fun, how much fun do you really have? It’s difficult to fully relax and be present when, in the back of your mind, you know an assignment is due soon. Putting off work might seem to give you more time to do the things you want, but the quality of that time is severely diminished. Plus, you might be a naturally gifted student who can manage to wait till the last minute to do assignments and still get decent grades, but as you grow up, the size of the tasks you face will grow, too, and procrastination will make your life a heck of a lot more difficult. So I encourage you to nip this habit in the bud now.

A few methods for clearing the mental blocks and anxiety that lead to procrastination:

— Forget about perfection. It doesn’t exist. Your best is good enough.

— Whether you know exactly what you’re doing or not, just get started. You’ll often look back and see that was the hardest part. Planes use the most fuel during takeoff.

— Speaking of fuel, you can fuel yourself through work today by imagining yourself tomorrow, free, with your assignment behind you. Picture what you will do and how you will feel.

— As for group projects, all of the above applies. Take the initiative; have your group meet up the very first day you’re teamed together, even if it’s just for a brief chat. As a bonus, you might find that taking the initiative in group settings helps you become a more proactive leader to yourself.