toujours travailler

 Whenever you receive a writing task,  look at it right away even if you can't get started right away.  Read instructions carefully and make sure you have a good sense of what is expected of you and how long it might take you.  Be aware of due dates, both intermediate and final.  Ask questions.

The advantage of knowing what you need to do far in advance is that your mind can be working on the project.  You can even intentionally walk around with an ear and eye to find things in your daily living that can help you complete the project.  These ideas are not original with me--I have heard them in teacher training and from poets, and they make sense.

A final advantage of being aware early (even if not starting early, though that is better yet) is that you are less likely two hours before the deadline to be caught by surprise when you read instructions that might say something like "After keeping a journal for three weeks, write a three page summary of . . ." 

And a final thought about procrastination.  Sometimes you willfully or carelessly put off doing something.  That is a problem.  If, however, you are simply a very busy person whose schedule is possibly overloaded, you don't have time to procrastinate; doing something last minute may not be a poor choice but simply a reality.  That said, be aware early of what needs to be done, get started as you can, and let your mind help you work on your work always so the little time you have will be much better spent.