Procrastination is a test we have all looked at some point. Experts define procrastination as a self defeating behaviour, pattern market by short-term benefits and long-term costs. Many of us know it as putting off things that we need to get done, no matter the level of difficulty behind the task. We all procrastinate from time to time. However , we have been battling with deferring, keeping away , and procrastinate on issues that make a difference to us.
During our more useful minutes, when we briefly sort out some way to quit procrastination, we feel fulfilled and achieved.
Today, we will discuss how to make those uncommon snapshots of efficiency more daily practice. The reason for this guide is to separate the science behind why we “PROCRASTINATE” , shared proven systems you can use to beat delaying, and cover helpful methodologies that will make it simpler to make a move.
What is procrastination ?..
Procrastination is the act of avoiding doing what you know you should be doing. It comes from the Latin procrastinare: “to postpone or delay,” and the Greek akrasia: “a lack of self-control or the state of acting against one’s better judgment.”
SENECA lamented, “No one has anything finished, because we have kept putting off into the future all our undertakings.”
A few decades later, the Roman Emperor MARCUS AURELIUS reminded himself to “do everything as if it were the last thing you were doing in your life, and stop being aimless, stop letting your emotions override what your mind tells you.”
More than just a habit: procrastination is in the brain.
“Procrastination can be the outcome of disruptions in brain regions responsible for tasks such as self-control, attention, planning and deciding priorities.” Written by Seetha Lakshmi Venu
With quotes from Dr Marek Wypych (researcher, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland), Dr Prerna Kohli (clinical psychologist)
“We don’t abandon our pursuits because we despair of ever perfecting them.” — Epictetus
“Well-being is attained by little and little, and nevertheless is no little thing itself.” — Zeno
LET ME TELL YOU A STORY TO UNDERSTAND AND BREAK INTO PROCRASTINATION.
Humans like to think we're a clever lot. Yet those magnificent, mighty brains that allow us to split the atom and touch the moon are the same stupid brains that can't start an assignment until the day before it's due.
We evolved from primitive creatures, but we never quite shed ourselves of their legacy. You know the clever, rational part of your brain you think of as your human consciousness? Let's call him Albert. He lives in your brain alongside an impulsive baby reptile called Rex..
You know how you can't help but notice if a stranger is tongue-wettingly gorgeous?
That's Rex, and no matter how hard you try, you can never turn him off. He's your instinct, your impulse, your love and your fear.
We like to think of Albert as "our true self" - the conscious part of our brain. He's the talking, reasoning part. When we decide to go to the gym or write that term paper, Albert made that decision. But Albert is old, easily exhausted, and switches off all the time.
Your brain is locked in a battle of wills between a sleepy professor and an impulsive reptile with unlimited energy. You may as well hand Rex the steering wheel.
Rex does listen to Albert. Like a child, he will do a lot of what he's told, as long as he doesn't disagree too much. But if Rex desperately yearns to crash on the sofa to watch Survivor and eat Cheetos, that's what you're going to do.
The incredible ascension of mankind that surrounds us is largely possible because we've developed systems to nurture the Rex's in our brains, to subdue, soothe and subvert them.
Much of this system we call "civilisation". Widely available food and shelter take care of a lot. So does a system of law, and justice. Mandatory education. Entertainment. Monogamy. All of it calms Rex down for long enough for Albert to do something useful - like discover penicillin, or invent Cheetos.
Now let's look at your procrastination.
You're making a decision with your conscious mind and wondering why you're not carrying it out. The truth is your daily decision maker - Rex - is not nearly so mature.
Imagine you had to constantly convince a young child to do what you wanted. For simple actions, asserting your authority might be enough. "It's time for dinner". But if that child doesn't want to do something, it won't listen.
Some researchers have separated the types of procrastinators into two groups:
- Passive procrastinators. Those who delay tasks because they struggle to make decisions and act on them.
- Active procrastinators. Those who delay tasks purposefully because they feel they work better under pressure.
You’ll also find other categorisations outlined by various experts and professionals, including:
- Worrier. Those who put things off because they worry about the challenge or about leaving their comfort zone.
- Overdoer. Those who take on too much and then struggle to find the time to complete everything.
- Perfectionist. Those who avoid tasks because they doubt their ability to complete them perfectly.
- Dreamer. Those who put off tasks because they’re not good at focusing on the details.
- Defier. Those who dislike someone dictating their schedule.
- Crisis-maker. Those who put off tasks because they prefer working under the pressure of tight deadlines.
Revenge bedtime procrastination
One relatively recent phenomenon is that of ‘revenge bedtime procrastination’. This phrase emerged from a Chinese phrase that describes those who choose leisure time over sleep, even after a long day of work.
Although the phrase is a recently coined one, some experts think it’s likely widespread. Those who are overstretched at work may feel a certain amount of control by staying up late, even though they know it’s not good for them.
Understanding the importance of sleep and setting good routines can help to combat such revenge bedtime procrastination.
5 top tips on how to avoid procrastination
If you sometimes struggle with procrastination, the tips below can help you make progress and stay on task. Remember, sometimes, being aware of the problem can help you take steps to overcome it.
1. Set small goals
Oftentimes, the thought of completing one large task can seem overwhelming. Getting from the beginning to end can seem an impossible task. However, breaking such tasks down into much smaller steps can be useful.
Having a list of small and achievable goals can help you tackle each one in turn, meaning that you make gradual progress towards completion. Understanding the fundamentals of project management can help you with setting these small goals.
2. Organise your tasks
This point feeds into the one above. Having a detailed timeline and deadlines for when you will complete each of your small goals can also keep you motivated to reach your main goals.
As well as setting daily goals, you can also have weekly and monthly aims that all tie into them. This gives you the urgency to act and make progress in your work, whether it’s schoolwork or a project at your workplace.
3. Focus your attention
Another way to overcome procrastination is to focus on some of the easier tasks you have to finish. Hopefully, by setting small goals and organising your tasks, you’ll be able to identify those that are easy to finish.
By doing this, you’ll start to build your confidence and gain some momentum. Giving yourself a purposeful focus can help you tackle one small task at a time.
4. Remove distractions
Your work or study environment may not be helping with your procrastination. Distractions can easily derail your progress, whether it’s having your phone next to you on your desk or having the TV on in the background. These distractions can add to your stress levels and increase procrastination.
Our course on stress and productivity in the workplace explores how improving workplace wellbeing can boost work performance.
5. Forgive yourself
It can be easy to punish yourself for procrastinating. You may tell yourself that you’re being lazy or unproductive. In reality, attacking yourself in this way only serves to make you feel more frustrated and anxious and doesn’t add to productivity being mindful of the situation you can develop self-compassion and forgiveness. Not only can being kind to yourself reduce procrastination itself, but it can also reduce some of the negative effects of procrastinating.
CONCLUSION:-
We presently discover somewhat more about what causes procrastination, what it can mean for us, and how we can stay away from it. Although, the majority of us will procrastinate every once in a while, it very well may be genuinely weakening when it turns into a constant issue.
Understanding the mechanics of how it functions and why you may be doing it very well may be the initial step to staying away from procrastination.
ALWAYS REMEMBER!!!
“A stitch in time saves nine”
“Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried”
“Nothing makes a person more productive than the last minute.”
“One of the greatest labor-saving inventions of today is tomorrow.”
This one is my favourite...
TODAY ill do what others aren't willing to do so TOMMORROW i can achieve what others can't...😎
You must be logged in to post a comment.