PROCRASTINATION; DON’T PUT OFF READING THIS!

Let’s face it, all of us procrastinate from time to time! Some are just better at it than others. We put off chores we hate to do, decisions we fear to make, and many other things. Some of us procrastinate more than others and even a few make it a regular habit! With so many options these days, we can be easily distracted with something more fun or exciting to do. Let’s explore what procrastination is about and some ideas to make it less habit-forming.

Procrastination is defined in Wikipedia as 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 impending tasks to a later time, sometimes to the “last minute” before a deadline. Some tendencies around procrastination are overestimating or underestimating how long an activity will take to complete, or assuming you will be in the right frame of mind or body at a later time to tackle the task at hand.

According to a psychologist, there are 15 key reasons why people procrastinate:
1. Not knowing what needs to be done 2. Not knowing how to do something 3. Not wanting to do something 4. Not caring if it gets done or not 5. Not caring when something gets done 6. Not feeling in the mood to do it 7. Being in the habit of waiting until the last minute 8. Believing that you work better under pressure 9. Thinking that you can finish it at the last minute
10. Lacking the initiative to get started 11. Forgetting 12. Blaming sickness or poor health 13. Waiting for the right moment 14. Needing time to think about the task 15. Delaying one task in favor of working on another.

What is the negative side to procrastination? First, it can effect your health by making you prone to higher levels of stress and illness by crunching as deadlines approach (tax time anyone?). Your health can suffer if you neglect symptoms that need addressing which could lead to more critical issues. It can also harm your social relationships and burden those around you who depend on you and become resentful by your actions or inactions. You could even lose out on valuable friendships and business relationships if you neglect returning calls, mail or email. You could sabotage yourself or suffer from guilt; if only I’d done X sooner. Your financial situation may be worsened, as well as your credit score, if you just put off paying bills or don’t put away savings for a rainy day. Your home or office may collect dust and clutter that becomes overwhelming and diminishes your productivity.

Occasionally there are good reasons for putting off decisions or implementing a new program. Perhaps you don’t have all of the facts, data, resources, or money. In that case, it makes sense to make a plan and set a timeline to complete the project.

Procrastination can become a bad habit although usually it is not a sign of a serious problem. It is critical though if it becomes so chronic that it affects one’s daily life. Most of the time it is just a poor time management issue. People who are less apt to procrastinate are usually highly conscientious, have more self-discipline, persistence and personal responsibility. Those skills can be developed. The first step is the realization, and then reducing the frequency that you do it, or getting training on time-management skills. It can help to make lists of things that need to be done, then prioritize them and tackle the most important things first. Once you tick off the things you don’t want to do first, you will have more time to really enjoy the things you love to do without guilt and stress. You will feel great too!