Do you typically put off important tasks until the last minute? How many times did you anxiously work on a project when the deadline was close or blew an opportunity for not taking it when it was still there? If you can relate to those situations, then you may have fallen into the tricks of procrastination.
Procrastination is the tendency to delay things instead of doing them right away. It doesn’t mean postponing tasks because you have too much on your plate or got caught up in other important issues. Procrastination implies delaying things unnecessarily, often leaving you stressed and anxious later on.
If this sounds like something that happens to you, keep reading. In this article, I will unravel the mystery of procrastination so you can learn why it happens and how to overcome it.
Why Are You Delaying Things Unnecessarily?
The first step to overcoming this harmful habit is to know the root of the problem. Most people blame it on being lazy, but that’s rarely the case. Procrastination has a psychological background that explains why you keep intentionally delaying things and can’t break free from that vicious cycle.
Fear of Failure
The shadow of potential failure can be daunting, especially on projects that matter a great deal to you. This often relates to low self-confidence issues; you may not believe you can handle the challenge.
Avoiding the task leads you to feel you are also dodging failure. If you never try, you can not make a mistake, right? But also, if you never start, you will never complete the task or reach your goals, which is ultimately a worse type of failure.
Perfectionism
It may sound ironic, but the most perfectionist individuals are the ones who waste time the most. A project rarely goes perfectly smoothly; unexpected things happen, and mistakes occur. If you are waiting for the ideal scenario to begin working, you may never start at all.
The fear that the outcome may not be perfect can be paralyzing. Sometimes, it’s better to handle good work than great work that comes too late.
Feeling Overwhelmed
Sometimes, the complexity or volume of a task can make you feel overwhelmed. You don’t know which step to take first, and the uncertainty leads you to avoid initiating the task at all.
Highly overwhelming projects can trigger avoidance behavior, where your brain seeks simpler tasks, leaving the arduous ones for “later.” This often creates more anxiety as the postponed tasks continue to linger in the back of your mind.
Lack of Motivation
One of the main reasons that lead people to waste time while working on a project is lack of motivation. When you don’t feel encouraged to work towards a goal, you can quickly start to procrastinate more and more.
Many factors cause low motivation, such as repetitive tasks, dull assignments, burnout, and lack of a clear purpose.
Mental Health Conditions
Sometimes, the reason why a person keeps postponing even simple tasks isn’t situational, but comes from a mental health condition. For individuals with depression or anxiety, even the simplest chores may seem overwhelming.
In cases of mental health disorders, procrastination shows up as a defense mechanism. If you think a health condition is causing you to procrastinate, consider speaking to a mental health professional.
5 Ways To Stop Being A Procrastinator
Being a chronic procrastinator can lead to multiple adverse outcomes, such as missing deadlines and suffering extra stress.
Have you fallen into the trap of procrastination? Try these 5 methods to overcome this issue:
Recognize You Are Procrastinating
The first step is to recognize procrastination has become a regular thing in your daily life. If you are reading this article, you probably are aware of that already, so you are off to a good start!
Once you acknowledge you continuously procrastinate, you can start taking action toward
changing this bothersome behavior.
Rephrase Your Self-Talk
Don’t beat yourself up for being a procrastinator. Millions of people deal with this problem daily; it’s not something to be ashamed of.
Your mindset plays a key role when fighting an internal struggle. Changing your self-talk from negative to positive can have a significant impact on quickly overcoming procrastination.
Start With Baby Steps
Feeling overwhelmed is a known cause of procrastination, so it’s best to start small.
Break big or daunting projects into small, achievable tasks. Think about completing one task at a time, only focusing on the assignment in front of you.
Set Tangible Goals
If the task or goal ahead seems too abstract, you are more likely to procrastinate. Set realistic goals and determine the steps to follow to achieve them.
For example, don’t say, “I want to run a marathon” (unspecific); instead, set the goal to start running 3 times a week.
Actively Eliminate Distractions
We live in a digital world filled with tempting distractions. If those enhance your habit of procrastinating, the best is to eliminate them from your work environment.
What pulls away your attention the most? Is it social media, TV shows, or notifications coming from your phone? When you notice a device causing you to procrastinate, acknowledge it and put it away.
Final Thoughts
Procrastination is a real issue that comes with plenty of negative outcomes. By taking an active and positive approach, you can get rid of this poor habit.
Use the tips in front of this article to start taking action towards your goals without further delay.