The Happiness Project Assignment



Gretchen Rubin, Author


Summary of "7 Tips for Avoiding Procrastination"
Here are the tips in simple list form:
1. Do it first thing in the morning
2. Try doing it every day
3. Have someone keep you company
4. Make preparations, assemble the proper tools
5. Commit
6. First things first (Don't push off big tasks with little ones)
7. Reflect on the great feeling you'll get when you've finished

Gretchen Rubin included more detailed descriptions of each tip, so I will simply summarize them.
Rubin's first tip is to do the task in the morning so that you don't have all day to list excuses. She says, "Do it now. Without delay is the easiest way."
Although doing the undesireable task every day may seem counterproductive, it actually helps. It helps because it leaves no room for confusion or "schedule juggling". If you know you have to do something everyday, you are more likely to do it.
Studies have shown that having someone to keep you company while doing the task makes it more enjoyable and keeps up moral.
Making preparations and assembling proper tools also make procrastination less likely. You are more likely to complete a task if your materials have been put together and prepared ahead of time.
Committing is Rubin's 5th tip. She says that, although cliche, it helps to write out your goals, no matter how short-term.
By first things first, Rubin means that bigger tasks should not be pushed off by little ones simply because the bigger ones are more time consuming. First things first.
Reflect on the great feeling you'll get when you've finished. Rubin says that studies show that reaching a goal releases chemicals in the brain that give you pleasure. You may not feel like completing a certain task, but you know you will feel much better about yourself once it is finished.

Overall, I personally found all of these tips very helpful. I happen to be a bit of a procrastinator myself. These tips by Gretchen Rubin have inspired me to get things done in a timely manor, hence finishing this assignment before the absolute deadline.

Project Ideas:

I am still choosing childhood obesity as my topic and my essential question has not changed.
Everyday I work at my mentorship I am overwhelmed by the childhood obesity epidemic. Lately I have noticed that when a child is overweight, 99% of the time the parent is also. This intrigued me, and I'm focusing on making connections like that in my project and presentation.
My project will be two-fold. As my presentation tool, I will most likely put togther a website with easy access to all the information I uncover. I have already found several sources which will come in handy in my preparation.
The second part will be out in the community. Using the information I find, I will conduct an informative class on preventing and ending childhood obesity. The class will teach parents and children simple and healthy ways to prevent obesity. I'm planning to advertise the class mainly among elementry schools and the pediatric office where I mentor.
I am really looking forward to completing this project not only because it is interesting to me, but so that I might prevent children from the dangers of this disease.
That is my detailed plan thus far but I would love any advice or ideas on how to improve it!