Motivation JM

I am often very bad at motivating myself to do my work. I am most stressed when I procrastinate and leave my work to the last minute before its due. Because I'm so easily distracted by my friend, the t.v and many other things, I often end up putting my work off. I try to give myself rewards for doing my work before the night before it's due. Tonight for example, I completed my EDU readings and reading responses. An assignment I dread every week. This is the first time I've ever done it in advance. I rewarded myself by going to insomnia and getting my favorite cookies, oatmeal raisin. I don't usually go out for treats or snacks at night, but I felt that could be great motivator for me to get my work finished, which it was.
Another weekly assignment I have that I dread are the CLS Tech Assignments. Every week, I'm so tempted to not do it, because I always leave the assignment til 8pm on Sunday, before it is due at midnight. This week, because I am so tired from a long weekend, and from doing all my EDU assignments, I had to use the Weighing the Consequences chart to really see how important it was for me to do the assignment. I of course saw that the consequences of not doing the assignment wasn't worth it for me. I would get a 0 out of 8, which though it doesn't seem like it, could really hurt my grade, since I've already missed one tech assignment. I decided the best plan of action for me would be to do the tech assignments before the weekend, and not leave it until Sunday, when I want to do it the least. For the next tech assignment, I am going to do it at least 3 days before it is due.
I also used the Putting It All Together strategy for motivation. I am a visual learner and like to write things down so actually seeing the reasons for motivation written down is a good way to get myself to do work. Writing down the motivation also shows me the consequences of not doing something. For example, I say my motivation for attending class was that I get good notes to study from for the exams. When I study, I always have a hard time using a textbook. Taking good notes in class is really important for me when I'm studying.
I found giving myself rewards to be the most effective way to get work done in advance. It is a strategy that could work for anything. Watching my television shows, hanging out with my friends, or going out for ice cream. If I do my work and deserve a reward for it, I don't feel guilty for doing these things, with my work hanging over my head. I can really enjoy all my 'rewards!'