Even if a project, say a presentation, isn't due for a while, it helps immensely to have your ideas down in written form. Even just quickly writing out your ideas on a notepad, electronically or otherwise, as soon as you get the assignment can make a huge difference. Once you have the ideas written out, your subconscious can get to work as to how to organise the ideas and how to improve them. Then when you come around to working on the project proper, you aren't exactly starting from scratch, and your ideas should have developed somewhat. While I don't recommend this, this way you also have something to work with if you find yourself short on time and the deadline is looming.