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Procrastination is extremely common with teens (let's be honest - in kids AND adults, too!). The important thing is to work with your teen to recognize it and attempt to understand when and why your teen procrastinates (without a lot of judgement). After that, work with your teen on figuring out ways to reduce their procrastination. Here are some ideas:
Smart small - Combat feelings of being overwhelmed by starting assignments quickly and small. The longer you wait, the harder it is to get started. Getting started can just mean spending as little as 5-10 min working - just enough to make a dent in the assignment or task and build confidence.
Create checklists - Many assignments and projects seem overwhelming when you think about them as a whole. But, when you break them down into smaller parts, they'll start to seem much more doable.
Feed the need for instant gratification - Assignments, projects, and tests always come with delayed rewards. Keep yourself motivated by giving yourself small rewards along the way. It can be something like a 5 min break to doodle when you finish an assignment or getting to watch a favorite show AFTER you finish a project.
Avoid procrastination triggers - What's the number one thing you do when you procrastinate? Whatever it is, it will continue to trigger procrastination as long as it's around when you should be working. So put away your phone (in another room or with an entrusted adult) or block those tempting websites when you need to work.
Get help when you need it - If you feel like things aren't working or you're struggling despite your best efforts, talk to your parents and teacher to get additional help. Don't just hope things get better on their own.
See more details on our full blog post
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