The Procrastination Trap - How to overcome it?

Conquer Procrastination – 1

"Hard work is often the easy work you did not do at the proper time."

~ Bernard Meltzer

In simple terms, procrastination is putting off tasks that we should be doing now, by giving ourselves all conceivable excuses. Procrastination is a delay in action while the procrastinator is fully aware all the time that delay would worsen the situation.

Excuses for Procrastination

• The task on hand is huge. I can never complete it. Reduce the size of the task if possible, or split it up into sub-tasks. Now tackle the little sub-tasks one at a time, effortlessly.

• The task is so difficult! Do you mean it is stressful and demanding? Start with the pleasant part of the task first, such as getting into a new tracksuit, or covering your bed with crisp linen. Once you overcome the initial inertia, the next move is easier.

• I don’t know how to do it. If you do not really know, you better learn. Telling yourself you don’t know just to postpone the task will not get you very far. You have to catch up with it sooner or later; if later, at a much greater cost to yourself.

• I just don’t have the time. Few of us have time. We create it. Set a time limit for a planned activity to eliminate the ‘as-soon-as-possible’ syndrome.

Procrastination depletes your energy and morale. It keeps nagging you, like a pin in your flesh. List the tasks that make you procrastinate, and review each one of them. After the review, prioritize the tasks and start with a single task today.

Here again, do not procrastinate. Capture the list on paper, and display it where you can see it everyday. This will help build awareness, discipline, and commitment.

The reasons for procrastination are many:

1. Task aversion: When the task is demanding and stressful, such as jogging, cleaning your room, or preparing that presentation, you tend to avoid it because of:

   • Lack of time due to improper planning.

   • Underestimation of the task and the time required.

   • Unclear standards for the outcome of the task.

   • A sense of alienation from the task on hand.

   • Vagueness of the task.

1. Poor judgment: You are avoiding the task for a pleasant short-term distraction, only to find later that the task has grown unmanageable for your capacity and time.

2. Low Energy Level: Low energy levels can make you postpone tasks through procrastination.

3. Perfectionism: Fear of failure and disapproval arising from self-doubt can immobilize you, leading to procrastination.

4. Habituation: This is a deep-rooted response to tasks due to repeated procrastination. Such people laugh it off as a character flaw.

Tips to overcome Procrastination:

• Change your routine. Make free time to take up tasks as and when they come up.

• Eliminate old habits that fuel procrastination. Allow no exception for a month.

• Set a time limit for a planned activity. Consciously unlearn the ‘asap’ habit.

You can easily fool yourself while procrastinating because your excuses sound genuine. When you develop awareness about procrastination and its real reasons, life would be different. When you realize that this disease is stealing your opportunities, wrecking your career, ruining your relationships, and undermining your sense of self-worth, you will shun it.

Why don’t we do it NOW?