A One-Session Cure For Procrastination
by Dr Martin W. Russell

A student in her early 20's came to me for a few things, including for hypnosis to stop her from procrastinating.

She was studying pharmacy and part of her being a high achiever was that she was always leaving her exam studies until the last days and cramming like mad. She was becoming bothered by it and had finally come for help.

Now before I say any more, let me ask you what would you recommend for this young woman? Even if you know nothing about hypnosis, what would you suggest she change, because I didn't end up using hypnosis, and in fact this particular change was done in a single session.

As she and I spoke I learnt more about the grades she was getting. She was getting high marks, credits and distinctions, and so I asked her how procrastination was a problem for her. She described how concerned her family, and even friends, were as they saw her being totally taken over by study in the days leading up to exams, to the point where her entire life disappeared into study as she went through her cramming in the last few days before an exam.

This behavior was worrying her even as she was doing it. Even worse she was catching herself worrying about it during the year as well, and it was beginning to play on her mind even in the holiday breaks. She had made efforts to set up more structured and pre-organized routines for her study, but they didn't seem to suit her. Fortunately she seemed otherwise well, outgoing and happy with herself. She was also not resorting to drugs or other masking methods for her worries.


At this point I asked her the key question, "Are the people who are telling you how bad your cramming is, getting better grades than you?" and her answer came back, "No. They certainly aren't."

Was her problem procrastination? Not right now it wasn't. Her problem was that she was taking advice from people who's performance wasn't as good as her own. If she followed their advice and did what they recommended she would likely end up with their results.

Should she ever change what she was doing? If she wanted to, yes certainly. My suggestion was that she have a think about whether SHE was unhappy with the effects of the way she studied. If she was, then we could do something about it. In the meantime she could decide what advice to listen to by checking what results the person was getting.

The woman came back to me the next week with a smile on her face, and told me she wished to leave things the way they were. What are people telling you about what you "should" do about procrastination, and are they just using a one-size fits all solution, or are they really helping you decide what's right for you? There are usually more choices this way.

Dr Martin W. Russell's passion is helping people to work through their crises to find permanent solutions that are also quick. You can find more on his blog at: Self Help Blog http://www.DrMartinRussell.com

Dr Martin W. Russell

http://www.DrMartinRussell.com