Not:
I don't know
where to begin, so I can't begin at all. Not:
I
have to do EVERYTHING! Nothing less will
do. Instead: The
most important step is to pick one project to focus
on.
Break the Task
Down into Little Pieces
Not:
There's so much to do, and it's so complicated. I'm overwhelmed by
my English term paper. Instead:
I don't have to do the whole project at once. There are separate
small steps I can take one at a time to begin researching and
drafting my paper.
Set Up Small,
Specific Goals.
Not:
I have to write my thesis within two months. Instead:
If I write 2
pages per day, Monday-Friday, I can finish a 1st draft in 1 month.
I'll have a revised final draft in 2 months.
Take One Small
Step at a Time.
Not:
It's too much.
I'll never get it all done Instead:
What is
the one next step on my list? I'll concentrate on that step for
right now
Reward
Yourself Right Away When You Accomplish a Small
Goal.
Not:
I can't take
any time out until I'm completely finished. Instead:
I spent an hour working. Now I'll call a friend.
Use a Time
Schedule.
Not:
I must devote the whole week to this project Instead:
I can use
these times this week to work on my project:
Monday 7-8; Tuesday 7-9; Saturday 10-12.
Learn How to
Tell Time.
Not:
Sorting through these papers and reorganizing my file cabinet will
be a snap. It won't take me more than an hour, so I can do it any
time. Instead:
Sorting papers
always takes longer than I expect, so I'll start tonight. I'll
spend 1 hour filing 1 stack of papers.
Optimize Your
Chances for Success.
Not:
I'll do my
writing this weekend at home. Instead:
I'll write during the week in a library. (Choose whatever
conditions are optimal for you to get work done.)
Delegate, if
Possible.
Not:
I am the only person in the world who can do this. Instead:
I don't have to do this all by myself. I can ask someone else to
do part of the job and still feel a sense of
accomplishment.
Just Get
Started.
Not:
I can't write
this speech until inspiration hits. Instead:
I'll write what first comes to mind, then improve it
later.
Look at What
You Have Accomplished.
Not:
I have hardly
made a dent in all there is to do. Instead: I have reviewed my lecture notes and read 3 chapters. That won't
guarentee me an "A", but it's more than I did
yesterday.
Be
Realistic!
Not:
I should be
able to work full-time, take 4 classes, be president of the
Esperanto Club, spend more time with friends, and play tennis 2
hours a day with no trouble at all. Instead:
I have limits. I can take on fewer responsibilities and still like
myself.
