Can a simple five letter mnemonic device help you to stop procrastinating? Many productivity experts would agree that a great way to stop procrastinating is by applying the STING method. The letters in STING stand for the following:
Select one task you've been putting off.Time yourself.Ignore everything else around you.No breaks allowed.Give yourself a reward when the task is done.Select One Task You've Been Putting Off
A lot of people will procrastinate simply because they have so many things to do, that they're not sure where to get started. The first step in the STING method is to select just one of the tasks that you've been putting off. You can decide between picking a small task in order to feel the satisfaction of crossing something off of your to do list, or you can choose a larger task, break it down into small chunks, and get started with the first small chunk.
Time Yourself
You're going to give yourself a specific amount of time to work on the task. I like to work for twenty-five minutes, and then give myself a five minute break. If the task is likely to take longer than twenty-five minutes, then I repeat this process of working for twenty-five minutes and then taking a five minute break, three times. Other people prefer to work for forty minutes without a break, while others can go for an entire hour. Choose the length of time that works best for you.
Get a kitchen timer, or use an online application, in order to time yourself while you're performing the task. Once you're ready to start working on the task that you've selected, start the timer. Try to get done as much of the task as you can before the timer rings, and your time is up.
Ignore Everything Else Around You
During the time that you're going to be working on the task that you've selected, you're going to ignore everything around you. Make sure to turn off your Twitter and email applications, let the phone go to voice mail if it rings, and close any sites that you may have open on your computer which are not directly related to the task you're working on. If someone comes into your office while you're working, ask them to come back later.
No Breaks Allowed
Be sure to take your restroom trip before you start, and have a glass of water on the desk next to you, because you can't take any breaks during the time that you've allotted for working on the task at hand. If you think of anything else that needs to be done while you're working on the task, such as making a phone call, simply write it down so that you can do it later. You can take a break once the time is up.
Give Yourself a Reward When the Task is Done
A great way to stay motivated while you're working on a task is to have a small reward to look forward to once you're done with the task. This can be as simple as turning on your favorite music and sitting back in your chair for a few minutes, or getting a cappuccino or some other beverage that you enjoy. Remember that what gets rewarded gets done.
Conclusion
As you can see from the explanation above, STING is a very simple method. However, if you go ahead and try it, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how effective it is. As Rita Emmett, author of "The Procrastinator's Handbook" likes to say, this method will take the sting out of procrastination.
Written by Marelisa Fabrega. For more tools, tips, and techniques to help you stop procrastinating, visit How to Stop Procrastinating.
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