Procrastination

Procrastination


Procrastination (often linked to perfectionism) is the avoidance of an action or task. For the person procrastinating this may result in stress, a sense of guilt, the loss of productivity, the creation of crisis, and the chagrin of others for not fulfilling one’s responsibilities or commitments. While it is normal for individuals to procrastinate to some degree, it becomes a problem when it impedes normal functioning. Chronic procrastination may be a sign of an underlying psychological or physiological disorder.


Key Reasons of Procrastination

Perfectionism-Avoiding getting into a situation that would reveal imperfection.
Fear of Failure- Nervous about other’s reaction.
Inability to Prioritize- Jumping from one task to the other instead of working on the most
To least important.
Inability to Make Decisions- You need to make the right decision, but you need to make a
Decision.
Distractions-Anything that is not work related.
Unpleasant- Anything unpleasant is more easily put off.
Complexity- Projects that are complex can feel overwhelming if not taken a bit at a time.


Outcome of Procrastination

When you put off something you need to do, then you get behind. When you get behind, you get depressed. When you get depressed, it reduces your energy. The farther you fall behind the more depressed you get. Procrastination leads to depression. Depression leads to procrastination.


Overcoming Procrastination

The first step in overcoming procrastination is knowing what you want. This is true in both your personal & professional life. If you have not decided what you want, it is easy to stray from one project or dream to the other.

The next step in overcoming procrastination is to take action. Most people know what they want, but are afraid to do what they know they need to do. Fear is the most common reason for procrastination. If you did not feel that failing would be more uncomfortable than not trying, why wouldn’t you do it?


Take that huge task and break it into little pieces. Organize those little pieces into an order of importance. Do the most important to least important project until all are done.
When you have completed this big task you gain self confidence.


Take that first step. Even if it is small, you have already started the project.


People that are successful in any endeavor are not necessarily lucky. They have overcome procrastination by looking at the results of a project, not the task of doing it.
If your focus is on the painful task of doing the project, rather than the benefits of it’s completion, you will likely procrastinate.

References
1. Procrastination.(http://wikipedia.org.)