Procrastinate Procrastination!

Procrastinate Procrastination!

Projects are piling up. To-do lists are getting longer and longer. Deadlines are running after you. There’s no turning away – responsibilities are called responsibilities because they are there to be carried out.

But sometimes, many of us make those little sweet escapes once in a while. Maybe the burden of duties become too much, or they become hard to face. For some, this may be brief and temporary. Eventually, they gather enough guts to face the tasks.

But for some, it means leaving everything they have to do completely behind – for a much longer time, like maybe an hour or two. Sometimes it can stretch for days or even weeks, until they couldn’t take the risk of delaying it more because it makes them stressed out with the pressure to finish everything on time. The latter part is what’s called procrastinating. It is the art – or annoying habit – of leaving something off for later.

You might think that it’s not such a bad thing to procrastinate, especially when the task you have to get done isn’t due for a long time (or so you think).

But as mentioned earlier, procrastination does lead to stress. Let’s say you do leave something off for later, and decide to do it two days before the deadline because you think it’s easy enough to do. Then the “easy” thing becomes something complicated, and you end up needing another extra day to finish it. The eve before the deadline, 12 midnight, you still aren’t done! Stress, stress, and more stress. What happened to the easy thing you have to do? Do you think the relaxing days before the stress are worth this headache? What if it was a presentation you have to do to impress the bosses, and you show up looking like a zombie? This is not impressive at all.

Yes, it’s terribly tempting to be lazy - the feeling of freedom, and of the thought that you actually aren’t DOING anything. Well, stop thinking like that. Think about the actual troubles that lie ahead. They’re existent and ready to pounce on you. Think about the eye bags. Think about the chaos that this temporary tranquility could bring.

So if you’re one of those who love to procrastinate, let’s do something about it, shall we?

The first thing you need to do is to stop thinking that the task you have to do is something terrible. If you hate the task, you’d think “Why do I have to do this? Never mind. I’ll do it tomorrow. I could work double time.”

Just stop it. If you have to think that way, then add something else to the sentence. “Wait. It’s not really as hard as I think it is. I could do it right on time, and maybe I could actually relax afterwards.”

If you’re scared of failing and that’s why you procrastinate, you have to realize that no one is ever perfect - and making mistakes is a way of improving yourself. Just try to accomplish the task as efficiently and to the best of your abilities as you can.

Another thing you could do to stop procrastinating is to make notes of what you have to do and by what date it should be done. You could write them down on Post It note pads and stick them some place that you can see all the time. The usual place would be on your refrigerator. Other places would be on your organizer or on your computer monitor. But don’t just write down the task and deadline; include encouraging words like “Don’t dare to delay!” or “Do this or else!” Write down something that would remind you of the consequences if you do decide to delay.

When thinking of the task at hand, think “When and where should I start?” and not “Oh God, here it is.” Think about the work itself and not when and why you should do it. “What topic should I write about? I could do this. Maybe I should start with this.” As opposed to “Here we go again. When can I finish this time? When could I play that new videogame I’m planning to buy? This sucks. And I’ll probably suck at the project.” Again, think positive - not only for your abilities, but for the task as well.

Another thing you could do is simple enough. Make a schedule of when you should study or do the tasks, and when you should hang out and relax. You could write it down on your organizer, or mark them on your calendar. Doing this is effortless, but following it is another matter. It could be quite challenging, and even bothersome.

So another mental exercise should be done; one where you could see in your mind’s eye the possibilities of not doing the task needed. Look into the future. What would happen if you don’t do it? How would it affect you? Would you have another chance?

Probably the best thing that you could do to overcome procrastination is to think of the gratification you would get after doing whatever you have to do. Make yourself a promise that once you’re done with the job, whether you did well or not, you’re going to treat yourself to something rewarding - like a new pair of shoes, a pair of sunglasses, or anything that would make you feel better. Give yourself a reward. If it’s a company project, think of the praise, the possible salary hike, or the prestige it could bring you. Think of any good outcome once you’ve finished the project.

Keep in mind that stopping this lazy habit is no easy task. You have to be determined to make yourself a better person. Just think: being a lazy individual is not a good thing, both for your image and your health. It makes you unproductive and unsuccessful. If you really want to make something out of yourself, then be driven to do your best. These steps could help, but only if you yourself want to be helped. So get up and get those stuffs ready! Gratification is waiting for you!