The only way I get something done is by having someone on me. If I have someone encouraging, or in some cases hassling, me to finish a job, it gets done a lot quicker than if I was on my own.

Posted by Melanie | October 7, 2009 1:56 PM

I think the best way to get everything done is to completely fill your schedule. If you have to do a bunch of things in the day, you're more likely to get one thing done to move on to the next. At least, it works for me. :D

Posted by Morgan | October 7, 2009 2:11 PM

Mine is to disconnect the wireless. No internet, fewer distractions!

Posted by JenP | October 7, 2009 2:59 PM

Whenever I really start to procrastinate, I usually call my mom and talk to her for a couple of minutes, because I know she'll ask me "what's up", I'll inevitably reveal that I'm being lazy and unproductive, and she'll do that motherly thing of telling me to get off my ass and get to work. She also gives me tips/ideas on how to accomplish what needs to be done if the situation calls for it.

And then there's telling everyone I know that I need to get something done, because every time I start up a conversation in the hopes of wasting time, they always ask me if I finished whatever it is and pester me a bit until I do it.

Another thing that works pretty well is writing lists and strategically putting them in places where I'm going to keep coming across them (like my desktop, for example). Lists that haunt you wherever you go are kind of annoying, so it feels doubly good when you cross off the last item and can crumple it into a tiny ball.

That was more than one, I apologize. =)

Posted by Renee | October 7, 2009 4:21 PM

One thing that I like to do when I'm procrastinating on homework is to give myself frequent breaks. I'll do my math homework, and then take a break to read a chapter of my book. I'll do my English homework, and then I'll break to read another chapter, and so on and so forth. It really makes the time go faster for me.

Posted by HannahR | October 7, 2009 5:23 PM

Great contest, I really want to read this.

I always procrastinate, which I'm doing right now *cough cough* so I need to get off the internet and get away from all the great books I'm reading...

(:

Posted by Kelsey | October 7, 2009 6:12 PM

I turn on some music, turn off my phone, tv, and computer (unless my work is on the computer), and and don't leave the room for anything until it's done.

Posted by Ink | October 7, 2009 8:29 PM

I'm procrastinating right now as well. My math homeworks calls, but I refuse to heed it!
My best beat-procrastination is get away from the internet and TV (music is definitely ok!). Also making a list helps me sometimes, I just like checking things off. It feels good when I am really accomplishing stuff!

Posted by Ari Reading in Color | October 7, 2009 8:34 PM

I'm a bad procrastinater and am afraid the only tip I have for you is too put on a little Beethoven (classical music helps stimulate the brain) and buckle down and get to work.

~Briana

Posted by Briana | October 7, 2009 11:41 PM

I try to shut out all distractions and focus on what is most important which is finishing the task at hand.

Posted by Marie | October 7, 2009 11:42 PM

If I really need to get stuff done I have to cut off everything. Net, TV, phone and *cringes* even my music. You'd be amazed how easily distracted I get when a good song comes on.

Posted by Amber | October 7, 2009 11:47 PM

I have to have a concrete deadline or I'll procrastinate, so pressure is good to get me to get things done.

Posted by Paradox | October 7, 2009 11:49 PM

Go to the library, and turn off the wireless internet. This was my trick in grad school when there was nothing I wanted to do less than work on my papers. Be sure to pack some snacks for breaks, though--I get pretty hungry when I'm doing a marathon stay at the library (used to go from 10-8pm, no joke).

If you can't turn off the internet, another trick is to delete your internet browser from your desktop - you can always redownload it later.

Posted by Tiff | October 8, 2009 12:03 AM

I send my family out of the house and the peace and quiet usually helps me to get things done - that and turning off the computer!

Posted by Kristi Herbrand | October 8, 2009 12:44 AM

Hi! Just posted about this contest on Win A Book. Usually, having lots to do works for me. I just need to keep busy and if I know there's lots to do, at least some of it will get done. No need to enter me in the contest.

Posted by Bridget | October 8, 2009 9:27 AM

I've been looking for this book since forever :D
Please enter me too.

The main way I get things done id writing it all down, and then crossing things off as I do them. Somehow this helps me focus more on the tasks (and, of course, the more items crossed off the more encouraging it gets :) ).

Posted by Kay | October 8, 2009 10:12 AM

I just tell myself to do whatever it is that I'm procrastinating on for ten minutes. Usually, that will get me going enough to finish whatever it is, otherwise, I did my ten minutes and I can come back to it.

Posted by Holly | October 8, 2009 1:39 PM

I make a deal with myself that if I do what I have to then I can do something I'd like to. For example, I hate cleaning my house. So for every room I clean, I get to read a chapter of a book.

Posted by Pam R. | October 8, 2009 3:10 PM

Great giveaway! I'm a terrible procrastinator. I make a lot of lists and love to cross things off as I finish a task so that helps me to stay organized. Deadlines are helpful to me and having another person involved to help check on my progress, encourage and pester me to finish helps too. Good luck!

Posted by Wrighty | October 8, 2009 3:25 PM

I make it into a challenge. "Oh yeah? If I finish my project before you finish yours, what do I win?" So far I have won a song, a story, a guest blog post, somebody wearing a "Mercedes is my Goddess" t-shirt for a month.

Yeah, that last one was super sweet. :)

But it is motivating! If I lose, I have to do things, too, like making sock puppets and putting on a performance, or sewing somebody a voodoo doll. It's fun and it motivates somebody else, as well.

Posted by Mercedes | October 8, 2009 8:13 PM

I make a list. Breaking it all down into manageable chunks makes the task look less overwhelming and thus remove the need to procrastinate.

Posted by Llehn | October 8, 2009 9:37 PM

1. cut a huuuge slice of double chocolate mousse cake.
2. pour a glass of milk.
3. stare.
4. promise yourself you won't eat until you are done. Like vow on it, because i promise, the taunting may be too much.
5. complete your work and enjoy!
haha :)
i also sometimes have my friends text me to do certain things... like id tell them to remind meof certain things and so that way when i wake up, i find a cute little text.
something like, uh... "wake up hannah and gooooo finish typing your essay. c'mon hannah, it's due like in an hour! psych!
but you should finish it anyways"
haha no joke i got that from my friend caitlin like 4 minutes ago.

Posted by hannah s. | October 8, 2009 10:18 PM

I always have to bake something and then make sure that my bedroom is clean before I can really get anything done. After that, I just make sure that I allow myself to have enough time to take writing breaks and then reward myself with something small afterwards! Papers really kill me sometimes, though.

Posted by Dawn | October 9, 2009 1:06 AM

I am a terrible procrastinator! The only thing that works for me is to have my list of to-dos staring me in the face. I have lists on my desk and at home. If the lists make it out of my line of sight they can be easily forgotton!

Posted by Melissa- Shhh I'm Reading | October 9, 2009 11:24 AM

I get things done by having a reward. Like, if I need to write an essay, then I write one paragraph, pause and play a game or something, and then go on to the next one and repeat the process. It always helps me get going.

Posted by Cyndi | October 10, 2009 12:16 AM

A timer set for 15 minutes... Then I can quit when the timer goes off, until the next day.

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Posted by Mozi Esmes Mommy | October 10, 2009 2:48 AM

When I need to get things done, I just think of how wonderful I'll feel when they're all done with and I can do other things without having to worry about them! That usually makes me do things right away.

Posted by Briana | October 10, 2009 1:56 PM

hey, a way i find best to help with procratination is to reward yourself. whenever i have so much work to do, like this weekend, i have two test to study for and a paper to write, i start off with something fun to calm myself down. what i do is listen to a fun upbeat ballad song, you know the one that you know all the words to or most of the words like betty and the jets by elton john, or since you been gone by kelly clarkson, and play that, sing out your stress, u will be belching out the song, having fun, and it helps you to wind down. at least it does for me. then i sit down, and try to tackle one work at a time, in your case, tackle one idea for a chapter, and then when its done reward yourself. go get a warm chocolate chip cookie, and sit back and enjoy one chapter of your favorite book, or when u get your assig nment done go get a manicure, or watch 1 hour of tv. look at the fun side, no one likes to do work, including me, but when you have a reward at the end waiting for you, you have something to look forward to. hope this helps.

thanks for the giveway i love john green, looking for alaska was awesome!

Posted by Ashley | October 12, 2009 1:55 PM

i try to break stuff up with small rewards to get it done.

like my history teacher assigns us 3 page papers a lot. so to get it done, i'll write one page, then allow myself ~10 minutes doing something i enjoy [facebook, reading, etc], then do the second page, get a ~10 break, finish, etc.

it usually works for me because i know if i do that bit of work, i get a break.

Posted by `emily | October 12, 2009 5:47 PM

I usually pace myself - for homework that is. I try to do a little bit at a time throughout the afternoon instead of cramming it all in before bedtime, or doing it all in one sitting. (Since I can't sit still for that long!)

Thanks for the contest. booksobsession(at)gmail(dot)com

Posted by Ashley | October 12, 2009 6:24 PM

I have to turn off my computer and put all my books away. Then I just try to focus and think about the benefits of what I'll gain when I finish.

Posted by Erica | October 13, 2009 11:23 PM

Let's see. Since I mostly don't get it done this is a hard question. The best thing for me would be the light at the end of the tunnel. Promise yourself something special for when you finish your task. Motivation is key! I'm glad to see you're writing a new book! I haven't been on here in so long that I'm completely out of the loop!

Posted by Melissa Walker | October 13, 2009 11:36 PM