Have you ever noticed that the longer you procrastinate about doing something, the bigger it seems to become, and the tougher it is to tackle? Then, when you actually do whatever it was you were putting off, you feel so good that you are surprised you didn’t just do it when it first showed up on your “to-do” list?

Sometimes those tasks are pretty significant, such as writing and defending a thesis, and sometimes they are minor, such as scheduling a doctor’s appointment.

No matter the size of the task, the longer you put it off, the more stress it can create in your life. A friend refers to things we are prone to put off as “ankle biters” — like those annoying “no-see-um” flies that can take the fun out of being outside.

The more things you put off, the more stressed you feel. And the more fatigued you become, the less likely you are to begin those things.

Here are some easy things you can do to help you avoid procrastinating.

Make lists
Writing down what needs to be done will help you prioritize and plan.

Set deadlines
This is most helpful for the larger items on your list. Say you are in graduate school and you plan to graduate in May. In order to avoid the all too common dilemma of trying to search for a job and finish your Master’s project at the same time, set deadlines for yourself to help ensure that you will be able to complete the project prior to graduation.

Yes, you will be beyond busy, but it will be far easier to finish your project before you graduate (and commencement will be much more enjoyable!) than if you wait until you are in job search mode (which requires significant time, effort, and energy) or if you wait until you are employed in a new position. Our experience in Career Services is that once people are hired, they have a much harder time completing their projects.

Schedule time
Just as you block time on your calendar for other kinds of appointments, do the same for the tasks you are avoiding. Many people find that scheduling less savory tasks early in the morning is helpful.

Set a timer. Even the most unpleasant task is manageable if you know you can quit after 20 or 30 minutes. Set a timer to work on your task for as long as you are willing to do it. More often than not, you will find that once you have begun you are willing to keep going on it. And you can always reset the timer to provide you with that “light at the end of the tunnel.”

Take baby steps
Just as setting the timer can help to get you started, dividing your task into small pieces can make it easier to begin.

Ask someone to hold you accountable
If you suspect that you may not be disciplined enough to follow through on your plan if left on your own, ask a friend or mentor to check in with you on your deadline dates to get an update on your progress. Knowing you will be held accountable can be a great motivator.

Reward yourself
When you have met a deadline or crossed off a few of the items on your list, reward yourself! Make it something you enjoy and promise yourself more rewards as you make more progress. We all need positive reinforcement now and then, and a reward will make the journey to completion of your project much more enjoyable.

There is another aspect to procrastinating that you will want to consider. Think about what you do when you are procrastinating. Do you text your friends, peruse the internet, check your email? Identify those things and schedule a certain time each day to do them; set a timer and don’t go beyond your allotted time; reward yourself if you avoid your “time wasters” for an entire day.

Now, what ankle biters are on your “to-do” list? Apply the tips above and start swatting!