Simple ways to overcome procrastination

Even though we are well organized and have a commitment to follow our work schedule, sometimes we may delay our work by spending significant amount of time on trivial things such as watching TV or browsing web or exploring social media. If this becomes a habit and causes regular delays in our work, it is procrastination. Whether it is putting off our work-related responsibilities or household responsibilities, procrastination can affect our job or our life.

How procrastination affects

Gradually procrastination becomes a part of our lifestyle. We not only delay simple tasks like household chores, organizing the office table, or servicing vehicle, we also start delaying most important things like critical health checkups, filing income tax returns, or major work assignments. Habitually we postpone important things until they become very urgent, and then try doing it in hurry, which leads to stress. Such a stress can affect the quality of work on hand as well as our mental health. Hence, it is very important to tackle the problem of procrastination.

Why do we procrastinate?

The common reason for procrastination is low self-confidence about a particular work, lack of motivation, or lack of energy. When we do not fully understand and appreciate the importance of a task, we tend to postpone it. When the task looks too difficult to achieve, the mind has a defensive mechanism to forget it and focus on some easier and enjoyable activity. The mind then naturally tends to pass the blame on to the so called 'time wasters' like internet or social media. Many times when the task at hand is too big, we do not know from where to start it. We may even fail to have an accurate estimate of time required for its completion and feel happy to believe that it could be accomplished in very less time; but as the deadline approaches us, the task seems even bigger, our confidence drops further, making it more difficult to begin or complete the task. Simply, this is how the task is delayed.

How to avoid procrastination?

How much ever big the task at hand is, take a deep breath and start working at it with the positive attitude of ‘I can do it’.

One important thing to keep in mind is that the task becomes easier as we progress; even a little amount of the task accomplished can boost our confidence to move forward.

It is important to break down a big task into small activities and focus on one activity at a time; it can boost our confidence as the task starts seeming simpler to us.

Manage time by planning specific time frame for each small activity.

Provide separate time in a day for fun and leisure activities, including day dreaming if you like, so that they do not encroach into the productive work hours. Also provide sufficient breaks in between long hours of work.

Start your day with the most difficult activity, if possible, because you will have the best motivation and highest energy level in the beginning of the day. Let the smaller and simpler activities be scheduled for the later part of the day.

Motivate yourself by thinking about the rewards of completing the task, when you feel lazy. Sometimes it is necessary to caution yourself about the penalties of not completing the task on time. It is a carrot and stick approach to keep yourself motivated.