Overcome Procrastination
Procrastination is one trait that is responsible for many unfulfilled lives and setbacks. It makes us settle for less than what we deserve and are capable of. Thus, it kills confidence and stalls momentum.
We all know these side-effects of procrastination but we all succumb to its seductive embrace every now and then. We may feel motivated to do something that needs doing for one day, but feeling just as motivated the next day can be tough even for the best amongst us.
In order to overcome procrastination we need to know why we procrastinate in the first place. There are many reasons for procrastination. Some of these are:-
• Procrastination is an easy trap to fall into if we are not confident of our abilities. We keep saying, ‘I’ll do this tomorrow’, but tomorrow never dawns; and when the deadline creeps up, we begin to panic.
• Fear of failure is another culprit that keeps us paralyzed. It convinces us that it is better to avoid doing something than face failure.
• Even though success is a positive stimulation, at times it becomes a cause for procrastination too. We feel that if we succeed at something, others’ expectations from us will rise and they will set very high standards for us, which we may not be able to maintain; so it is better not to succeed now. This is a crazy way of thinking but not very uncommon. Fear of success is as real as the fear of failure, because success carries a responsibility with it. It is much easier to procrastinate and live on ‘someday I will’ philosophy, than to be responsible.
• Fear of disapproval too makes us shy away from doing our work.
• Boredom is another reason for procrastination because we can’t motivate ourselves to do something that we find boring.
• Sometimes we procrastinate out of anger, just to spite others, especially the people closest to us.
• Lack of required skills and information is another cause. We don’t start something because we don’t want to admit that we don’t have the necessary know-how.
• Poor health too makes us put things off. If we don’t feel too well, have a headache or some other problem, it becomes difficult to concentrate on the work at hand.
• Mental, environmental or physical distractions, such as an altercation with someone, loud music in the neighborhood, or hunger pangs etc too prevent us from doing our work.
• Sometimes, we find it difficult to organize our thoughts and actions; and go off track with our plans.
• At times we put things off because the task seems overwhelming.
• Some of us rebel against routine and scheduled work.
• Some of us are discomfort-dodgers, who avoid any task which causes discomfort, distress or anxiety. We procrastinate every time our comfort zone gets pushed. We convince ourselves that the comfort in the present is more important than the necessary task.
• Perfectionists amongst us end up thinking, ‘Why should I do something if it cannot be done perfectly?’ Perfectionism often results in perfectly executed tasks but unfortunately it also means delay in starting or finishing the work.
• Some of us are self-doubters who use delay tactics. Ironically, the delay tactics don’t make these feelings go away, and tensions keep mounting.
• Some are guilt-driven, feeling guilty over tasks not done; but instead of doing the task and correcting the original course of inaction, we continue to procrastinate in order to avoid facing our guilt.
• Some of us are habitual procrastinators, who procrastinate all the time, no matter what. It becomes a habit, with an ingrained automatic response, ‘This is too hard.’ Or ‘I am too tired.’
How can we overcome procrastination? Here are some tips:-
• Procrastination can be overcome through better organization and time management. Recognize your individual reasons for procrastination and take steps to get more organized.
• Make a list of all that needs to be done. Prioritize these tasks and drop non-essential ones from the list.
• Break large projects into smaller tasks. Set aside ample time for each scheduled task.
• Don’t panic if you get behind schedule. Give yourself some extra time. Re-schedule your other appointments. Take help from your colleagues and friends.
• Bite off only what you can chew; learn to delegate tasks.
• Whenever you think of putting off a task for later, think of Nike’s famous slogan, ‘Just do it!’
• Schedule a reward time for yourself, after the task is done.
• Provide a momentum to your work by physically striking off the completed task from your list.
• Ask yourself, “What one thing can I do today, that I don’t want to do, but doing it will take me towards my goal?”Answer your question and take prompt action.
Remember that there is no problem that can’t be solved, no task that can’t be completed and no habit that can’t be changed…….All we need to do is- change our outlook. All the best for that!
Read more!