Concentration & Procrastination Student Learning Development P: - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Concentration & Procrastination

Student Learning Development P: 896-1407 E: student.learning@tcd.ie W: http://student-learning.tcd.ie :// www.facebook.com/studentlearning

Learning Objectives

• Explore reasons for procrastination
• Review strategies for overcoming

procrastination

• Examine causes of distractions
• Consider ways to control concentration and

improve motivation

PROCRASTINATION

Is to delay needlessly something that we believe would be to our benefit!

Some reasons for procrastination

• Emotional
• Excuses and habit
• Physical

How do you procrastinate?

• Pleasurable tasks
• Socialising
• Distractions
• Lower Priority tasks
• Daydreaming
• Other distractions

Procrastination Excuses

• “should” be doing something
• Uncomfortable, guilt, shame
• So create excuses! So ok to put things off!
• Justifies procrastination
• Self-talk

What are your excuses?

Overcoming Procrastination

• Take action
• Salami technique
• Five minutes
• Work on related tasks
• Do the hardest bits first
• Set goals
• Reward yourself for achievement
• Make commitments

Take a closer look at your own procrastination Think about one problem that might develop [or has already developed for you] and that leads to procrastination.

• Describe the problem:
• What is the source of the problem:
• What is the reason for the problem:
• Can you set a goal for a solution [be specific]:
• With your goal in mind what Options can you have [be

practical in deciding your options]:

• What are the advantages of each of your options:
• What are the disadvantages of each of your options:

CONCENTRATION

Is the act of focusing our attention and abilities

Concentration

• Distractions as events which divert us
• Sources of Distraction

– External – Internal

• Control Distractions

Controlling External Distractions

• Structure study environment
• Establish a routine
• Negotiate
• Physical

– E.g. unplug TV!

Internet use – tools to help

selfcontrolapp.com – macs, free macfreedom.com – windows, mac, android; $10 FocusBooster – app, free; 25 minute timer FocusWriter – mac & pc; for writing Anti-social – blocks social websites, like Freedom LeechBlock – Firefox or StayFocusd – Chrome rescuetime – lite is free; tracks time, set goals persistenceapp.com – free, macs

Controlling Internal Distractions

• List of concerns
• Worry time
• Mind wandering/daydreaming
• Building up time
• Mental rehearsal
• More active in the study process

Improving Motivation

• Focus on effort
• Alter expectations
• Positive self-talk
• Rewards
• Goal setting
• Positive language
• Visualisation

Yes I can

Encourage, not criticise

Self-Critical Self-Talk My Motivational Self-Talk

I have to get this done. Suck it up and get going loser! I choose to work on this task. I know I can get it done if I just focus on one thing at a time. I must finish this. Come on stupid…think! I will finish this. It is just going to take a bit more

• time. Let's plan how to get it done.

I can't believe I haven't started

• yet. I must be so lazy!

Just focus on getting started. Just because I haven't started, doesn't mean anything bad about me.

Conclusion

• Know why you procrastinate
• Strategy or plan for overcoming

procrastination

• Identify your distractions
• Strategies for controlling concentration
• Strategies for increasing your motivation

Our details

• Website: http://student-learning.tcd.ie
• Email: student.learning@tcd.ie
• Facebook: facebook.com/studentlearning
• Twitter: twitter.com/StudentLearnin1
• Phone: 01-8961407