Here’s a focused, coach-style plan tailored to IELTS Reading practice.

Likely procrastination drivers (and fixes)

• Ambiguity: Not sure what to do first or how to measure progress. Fix: Clear sequence of blocks, timers, and simple metrics.
• Aversion: Passages feel dry, timing pressure is stressful. Fix: Short warm-ups, small wins first, rotate passage topics.
• Overload: Too many question types, long passages, vocab gaps. Fix: Break into 15–45 minute blocks with one objective each.
• Perfectionism: Fear of wrong answers, over-checking. Fix: Time-boxed attempts, “mark and move” rule, error reviews limited to 10 minutes.

10-minute “start now” action

• Set a 10-minute timer.
• Open one IELTS passage (any source you have).
• Skim for 3 minutes: title, first sentence each paragraph, highlight keywords.
• Answer the first 3 questions without overthinking (max 2 minutes each).
• Circle one unclear question to review later. Stop at 10 minutes. Log: number attempted and correct.

Core routine: 15–45 minute blocks with If–Then implementation intentions Block A: Speed warm-up (15 minutes)

• Goal: Activate scanning and reduce anxiety.
• Steps: 2 micro-drills of 7 minutes each:
  • Drill 1: Find 5 dates/names/terms in the passage as fast as possible.
  • Drill 2: Match 3 headings to 3 paragraphs.
• If–Then: If I’m tempted to start slow, then I begin with Drill 1 immediately and set a 7-minute timer.

Block B: Question-type focus (20–30 minutes)

• Choose one type: True/False/Not Given, Matching Headings, Multiple Choice, Sentence Completion.
• Steps: Do 6–10 questions of that type untimed for accuracy, then 4 timed (45–60 seconds each).
• If–Then: If I spend more than 60 seconds stuck on a question, then I mark it, guess, and move on.

Block C: Timed mini-test (30–45 minutes)

• Steps: 1 full passage (13–14 questions) in 20 minutes; 10–15 minutes to check answers; 5–10 minutes to review only wrong ones.
• If–Then: If I feel the urge to recheck all answers, then I only review wrong answers and 1 difficult-but-correct answer.

Block D: Error-to-action review (15 minutes)

• Steps: For each wrong answer, identify the cause: locating info, inference, vocabulary, distractor trap.
• Create one “next time” rule per cause (e.g., “Underline qualifying words: most, rarely, primarily.”).
• If–Then: If an error recurs 3 times, then I add a 10-word micro-vocab or paraphrase list to study tomorrow.

Block E: Vocab/paraphrase drill (15–20 minutes)

• Steps: Extract 8–12 words/phrases from today’s passage. Make pairs: passage phrase → simpler paraphrase.
• If–Then: If energy is low, then I do only 8 items and read them aloud once.

Priority order (urgent/important first) 1) Timed mini-test (Block C) 2–3 times/week + Error-to-action review (Block D) 2) Question-type focus (Block B) on your weakest type daily 3) Speed warm-up (Block A) at the start of each session 4) Vocab/paraphrase drill (Block E) after reviews or on low-energy days

Environment tweaks and distraction rule

• Setup: Quiet desk, one notebook, pencil/highlighter, water, clock/timer visible.
• Tech: Phone in another room or Do Not Disturb; website blocker on study sites only; single-tab rule.
• Visual cue: “Mark and move” sticky note on your desk.
• Distraction rule: If a thought/distraction pops up, then write it on a parking list and return after the timer ends.

Simple Plan B for setbacks

• Missed session: Do a 15-minute Block A or E within 24 hours. Don’t “make up” the full session—resume the next planned session normally.
• Passage too hard: Switch to an easier Cambridge book or shorter article; complete Block B with easier items.
• Low energy: Do only 10 minutes (start-now action) + 5-minute vocab; log it as a win.
• Bad accuracy day: Cap review at 10 minutes, record 1 learning point, move on.

Sample 5-day micro-schedule (adjust as needed)

• Day 1: A (15) + B (25) + D (15) = 55 minutes
• Day 2: A (15) + C (35–45) = 50–60 minutes
• Day 3: A (15) + B (25) + E (15) = 55 minutes
• Day 4: A (15) + C (35–45) = 50–60 minutes
• Day 5: A (10) + D (15) + E (15) = 40 minutes

Extra If–Then intentions

• If it’s [set time], then I begin with Block A for 15 minutes.
• If I feel anxious before starting, then I breathe 4-4-6 for 60 seconds and start the timer.
• If I don’t reach 20 minutes in the timed passage, then I stop anyway, guess remaining, and review causes.

Daily check-in template

• Date / Start time / End time / Energy (1–5)
• Blocks completed: A / B / C / D / E
• Questions attempted: Correct: Accuracy: __%
• Biggest obstacle today:
• One lesson learned (strategy/vocab):
• If–Then rule to try tomorrow:
• Tomorrow’s first block and start time:

Success metrics

• Sessions completed per week (target: 4–5)
• Minutes of focused practice per day (target: 40–60)
• Accuracy rate on weakest question type (baseline → weekly trend) Optional: Timed passage completion rate (finished within 20 minutes, Y/N)

Start now: set a 10-minute timer, skim one passage, answer 3 questions, log results.