When beginning their studies, students may sometimes be tempted to procrastinate. Far from a sign of laziness, procrastination can serve as a kind of escapism or avoidance of a task or duty that seems too difficult or challenging to complete. In fact, everyone procrastinates from time to time. However, while the prospect of checking your emails or Facebook might seem like a welcome break, it may actually increase your stress and have a negative effect on your studies.
Below are four practical ways to nip procrastination in the bud over the course of your studies and career in accounting and payroll administration. Read on to find out what they are!
1. Notice and Understand Why You Are Procrastinating
Before you begin to work on a strategy to overcome procrastination, it’s important to recognize those moments when you are procrastinating and why. How did you feel, and what were you thinking? Questions like these can be useful in identifying the triggers that inevitably get you to procrastinate.
Are you procrastinating because a certain task feels intimidating? Are you worried about failure? Do you feeling nervous about the future? Addressing these feelings will help you understand the causes behind moments of procrastination, and will help you avoid them in the future!
2. Use Time Management Strategies During Your Accounting Training
Effective time management can be an excellent way for you to avoid procrastinating as you earn your accounting and payroll diploma. Instead of creating excuses to delay your work, practice using a few time management techniques, such as setting and prioritizing goals. You could set aside some time each day for study, and then reward yourself afterwards with a well-deserved break. You can also improve your time management skills by creating a comprehensive to-do list of all the tasks you need to accomplish. Stay resilient and maintain your set times for each task and you’ll find yourself completing your work quickly and on time!
3. Cultivate Mindfulness Techniques to Relieve Stress
Stress is often one of the main reasons why students and professionals procrastinate, which makes adopting great stress management techniques important to maintaining productivity. During moments of stress, try practicing “mindfulness” along with deep breathing exercises. Mindfulness involves taking a pause and focusing your attention on the present moment rather than future consequences, which can help you feel calm and improve your focus.
4. Let Go of Perfectionism and Self-Doubt
Students, as well as professionals with accounting training, may sometimes procrastinate if they have little confidence or are perfectionists. In both cases, perfectionists and those with low confidence alike may worry that their work isn’t up to par. Some perfectionists might procrastinate by over-preparing. Meanwhile, professionals with low-self esteem may hesitate to approach their work for fear that it would fail to measure up to expectations.
Therefore, one excellent way to avoid procrastination is to remind yourself that nobody’s perfect, and that an important part of being a student is taking risks and learning from mistakes. Top colleges know this, and work hard to create a supportive environment. Instructors are there to offer guidance and support, so that students can build up their confidence and remember that they are capable of tackling whatever challenges come their way. As a result, they can let go of worries and self-doubt, and instead focus on achieving their goals.
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