As a computer
enthusiast, you open your design software, writing app or your workspace, fully
ready to create something productive. But first, you need “inspiration" to
start the work. One hour, two hours three hours and there you are, you’ve done
everything else except the thing you actually wanted to do at
that particular time. That is the disease called procrastination.
According to the Oxford
dictionary, procrastination: Refers to an act of delaying something you should usually because you do not want to do it or it's boring.
Differences between Laziness and Procrastination
Laziness, indolence, or sloth should not be confused
with procrastination. To procrastinate which means, ‘to forward to
tomorrow’ in Latin is to postpone a task in favor of other tasks which are less
taxing but also less important or urgent.
To postpone a task for practical or strategic purposes does not
amount to procrastination; for a postponement to amount to procrastination, it
has to represent poor and ineffective planning, and result in a higher overall
cost to the procrastinator.
For example, it’s one thing to delay a tax return until all the
numbers are in, but quite another to delay it so that it ruins our holiday or
lands us with a fine.
Both the lazybones and the procrastinators lack motivation. But
unlike the lazy person, the procrastinator aspires or intends to complete the
task, and, moreover, eventually does—albeit at a higher overall cost to him- or
her-self.
Consequences of chronic procrastination
Cross-sectional studies suggest that
procrastination is associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress
as well as loneliness and reduced life satisfaction
Procrastination is also
associated with prevalent general physical health problems like cardiovascular
disease and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors
Productivity and performance impact
like missed deadlines and reduced quality of work
Damage to trust and credibility as a
person you lose your worth and public admiration due to not being able to
attend to importance assignments.
Why you need to get rid of procrastination in
2025?
Productivity
and goal achievement: Have you ever been in a situation where you regret having
taken long to or not doing it at well. Well, that is why you should plan and
implement
Mental
Health and Well-being: For you to be free from stress, anxiety and pressure
which can affect one in one way or the other. You have to stop postponing tasks
for tomorrow that never comes
Making
The Most Of Opportunities: Some opportunities avail themselves in narrow and
restrict times but that is the way of life one should get used to being
prepared for any opportunity and grab with both hands
Developing
Self-Discipline and Self-Control: Imagine being in class knowing you have done
your homework and your classmates haven't done it and bomb the teacher asks for
the work. How confident you'd be!. That is the same thing. Do your work in
time.
Why Do We Procrastinate?
Temporal Discounting
Fear of Failure
Lack of Motivation
Task Aversion
Low Self-Control or Executive Dysfunction
To get rid of procrastination practice these principles:
Break your tasks at hand into Smaller Steps that can be achieved
at a particular time frame
The 5-Minute Rule: Is a simple strategy for overcoming
procrastination by committing to work on a task for just five minutes. After
the five minutes you can decide if you want to continue with the task or stop.
Time Blocking: In this case you divide your day into specific task
at a particular time
Pomodoro Technique: Work for twenty five minutes rest for five
minutes and vice versa through out they day
Remove Distractions:
Things that distract you should be far away from you like phones,
computers among others
Self-Compassion: Be
calm. Composed and self-motivated to do the work with an alacritous heart
Try one technique today and comment and
share your progress. Invite readers to reflect on their habits as we move this
journey together.
