Procrastination is the practice of carrying out less urgent tasks in preference to more urgent ones, or doing more pleasurable things in place of less pleasurable ones, and thus putting off critical tasks to a later time.
Procrastination may result in stress, a sense of guilt and crisis, severe loss of personal productivity, as well as business and social disapproval for not meeting responsibilities or commitments.
In Saint Thiruvalluvar words, “Procrastination, forgetfulness, idleness, and sleep – these four things, form the vessel which is desired by those destined to destruction” (kural 605).
Procrastination is one of those things that even the most well organised and punctual fall victim to at some point or another.
HOW TO OVERCOME PROCRASTINATION:
First and foremost step is to recognise and accept that you are Procrastinating.
Do the task for just a few minutes – Not only do procrastinators spend longer distracting themselves doing the ‘wrong things’ but they also delay starting the ‘right’ things. Starting a task is often the hardest part. If you just start it for a few minutes, the brain’s desire to see it through to completion should then take over.
Do the hard and important tasks first – The harder the tasks are, the more energy and concentration we need to complete them. Improve self-regulation ability and beliefs – Procrastination has been described as ‘a failure to self-regulate’; Self-regulation is the ability to select appropriate strategies and self-correct them during a task.
Manage your environment – If you can see temptations, you are more likely to be distracted by them, and therefore procrastinate. Consider your working environment; is it conducive to the task at hand or one where procrastination can flourish? Set yourself a short deadline –Break down the task and give yourself a short deadline for each part. Increase confidence and self-belief –This can make the task at hand seem achievable and provide a possible template to follow.
Research shows that the more you can forgive yourself for past procrastination, the more likely you are to overcome your current procrastination and take action.
We talk to ourselves all the time in our minds. Even when we’re not paying attention, these relentless mental debates deeply influence our feelings and, ultimately, our behaviours and actions. If you can become aware of these mental dialogues, notice the patterns, and turn them into productive statements, then you are empowered to overcome many unwelcome feelings and behaviours.
Have a Procrastination Power Song. A song that really gets you energised, and plays it whenever you want to tackle something you’ve been procrastinating. The brain likes to have a trigger to create a new habit, plus you’re more likely to follow through when you’re feeling good in your body.
Get under the hood. Identifying your fears can help you realise the monsters in the closet aren’t as bad as you think. Make it fun.Motivate yourself to complete a task is to create a reward that you will give yourself once it’s been completed.
