Procrastination – Enemy in Disguise

You may delay, but time will not - Benjamin Franklin

Procrastination refers to the tendency to postpone or defer tasks until the final moment or beyond their designated deadlines. It is not merely an issue of time management, rather, (in fact) research indicates that it is a result of inadequate self-regulation. People frequently procrastinate/postpone on their duties, fully cognizant that this delay will lead to negative consequences.

Regardless of organizational skills or dedication an individual may have, it is quite likely that they have experienced moments of spending time on insignificant activities, such as mindlessly internet surfing, app scrolling rather than concentrating on productive task at hand.

While it may be common for a person to put things offs, procrastination is associated with detrimental functioning and poses risks to mental well-being. Some reasons that result in procrastination are:

·         An important element that contributes to procrastination is the conviction that inspiration or motivation is necessary to initiate a task at a specific time.

·         Also, there is a tendency among individuals to prioritize immediate satisfaction or rewards over the pursuit of long-term advantages.

·         A few more:

o   Individuals often overestimate the amount of time remaining to complete their task while also

o   underestimating the duration required to complete specific activities.

A crucial element that contributes to procrastination is the idea that one must first feel inspired or motivated in order to undertake a task at a specific time.

How to overcome procrastination:

Fortunately, there are strategies that one can implement to diminish the tendency to procrastinate.

·         Break down tasks: One can also split a big action into small doable/realistically achievable actions

·         Time management: To effectively manage time and determining effective task completion, plan a timetable

o   Planning includes listing down the commitments at hand and allocating time to each

·         Minimize distraction: Keep track of activities that distracts from achieving the task at hand and make a conscious effort to put them away

·         Reward: And ultimately, and quite important to reward yourself for achieving / ticking off the tasks as and when each gets accomplished.

Make it a point to create a to-do list that details the necessary tasks, beginning with easier objectives. When the inclination to procrastinate arises, push yourself to tackle one small item. Frequently, the hardest part is simply getting started.