Procrastination is a problem that can create a lot of other problems in the achievement as well as performance of a person. In the plain view, procrastination is a manner of putting things aside, bringing delay to its accomplishment. It’s quite natural for everyone to do this depending upon their circumstance and attitude over a particular time. But if this is frantically causing you to deviate from your responsibilities and duties, then it’s high time you did an appraisal of yourself.
What really is procrastination?
Procrastination is a difficulty that has its roots deep into the behavior of a person. We may be ready to take up or face any diverse situation to reach our goals. We plan seriously, put everything in order, make fair decisions, organize the whole thing suitably and pre-determine our scores. Yet we love to find solace in the tiny room of procrastination, fearing if something terribly wrong might happen or something wrong might never happen. Thus procrastination is overtly linked with a person’s confidence level.
What do procrastinators do?
Those who procrastinate never realize that when they make a delay in doing something, they are burdening themselves with additional work that costs precious time set aside for more valuable tasks. They lag on till they reach the dead line for doing something. They miss out the best of their opportunities and lament on the subsequent loss in future. They make false statements to justify their actions and even blame others for the mishap.
They often cling to the past reminiscences and ponder about future rather than act on the present. They circle around low self esteem and confidence, but tend to behave in the opposite way. They get distracted easily and forget ‘deliberately’. Even if they are up to something, they quit in between with a lot of excuses. They are more comfortable with less threatening or challenging tasks. They always think that ‘tomorrow is the best day to do’ and take more than a week to complete a day’s work. The result is disappointment and frustration.
The harmful outcome of procrastination
Procrastination has long term effects on the life and happiness of a person. A person who is not happy with his life cannot concentrate on his work and would gradually put his health in jeopardy. Procrastination can give rise to excessive stress, anxiety and finally depression and feelings of worthlessness. Constant failure and offending comments from colleagues can force them to unwanted habits like alcohol consumption and substance abuse. Shame becomes synonymous to defeat and lack of ability. Moreover procrastination can seriously affect a person’s decision-making ability.
Conquering procrastination
The first thing needed to tackle procrastination is the firm decision to overcome it and the will to persist. Seek the help of a counselor for getting through your fears. Understand the value of time and timely action. After organizing and scheduling tasks, prepare a daily ‘to do list’ based on urgency and priority. Take an oath never to deviate from a committed work. Above all be optimistic of whatever you do.
