How to Overcome Procrastination: Procrastination is a habit that keeps postponing our work until tomorrow. Procrastination is derived from the Latin word “Procrastinatus” which means to postpone till the next day.
The habit of procrastination is a habit that negatively affects our productivity as well as our mental health, depression level, and confidence. The problem of procrastination is usually seen more in those people who are unable to manage their time. Such people usually include students and working professionals.
This article will be based on the reasons for procrastination, its effects, and how to Overcome Procrastination. But first, we will know what are the causes of procrastination.
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What are the Causes of Procrastination
There are many possible reasons for procrastination. But it is most important to know that it is not only due to laziness but our emotional and psychological state is equally responsible for it. The reasons responsible for the habit of procrastination are-
Fear of failure– Some people do not start their work just because they fear that they might fail. This happens especially in students because they have the pressure of studying continuously and getting good grades.
Perfectionism– Some people are adamant that their work should be perfect, so they hesitate to start work because they feel that they will not be able to live up to their expectations.
Lack of motivation– If the work is boring or not very important, then the person does not have the motivation to do that work. Therefore, he starts procrastinating.
Poor time management– It often happens that people are not able to prioritize their work, and because of this, a lot of their time is wasted. This poor time management also leads to procrastination.
Distractions– One of the biggest reasons for procrastination is that we forget our work and get entangled in social media and other recreational activities. Many times we postpone work in search of instant fun like watching a video on YouTube or spending time with friends.
Effects of Procrastination
Procrastination not only wastes time but also has many serious consequences, some of which are as follows:
- Postponing work till the last minute increases anxiety and stress because due to lack of time, one has to work in a hurry.
- Procrastination leads to poor quality of work and the work is not completed on time.
- Procrastinating reduces a person’s confidence because they start doubting their ability due to procrastination.
- Procrastinating for a long time also leads to lack of sleep, stress, and mental health problems.
How to Overcome Procrastination
There are many ways to overcome procrastination which are based on psychological research and expert opinion. We are going to tell some of these in this article. Let’s know How To Stop Procrastination and Laziness –
Understand the reasons – The first step to avoid procrastination is to understand why you are postponing the work. Are you afraid of failure, or do you want perfection, or lack of motivation? Analyze your behavior and understand the things that are stopping you from starting work. For example, if you feel that your work will not be perfect, then tell someone yourself that to do perfect work, it is necessary to start it first.
Divide the work into smaller parts – If the work is big, it seems like a burden, so we postpone it. Therefore, break the work into smaller parts. By doing this, it starts to seem easier. Understand it with this example that if you have to write an article, then dividing it into small steps like research, making an outline, first draft, and then making corrections will make it interesting.
Use the 2-minute rule– The 2-minute rule says that you should take only 2 minutes to start a new task or habit. For example, if you want to develop a reading habit, start by reading just one page at the beginning. Once you start, it becomes easier to maintain the speed. This is a very effective way in breaking the habit of procrastination.
Remove distractions– Remove things from your workspace that distract you, such as smartphones, TV, and social media. Use App Block Screen Time to block all such apps that are wasting your time. This way you avoid wasting time on social media apps.
Set clear and realistic goals– Try to have a clear goal in your mind, like “I have to study” instead of “I will read a chapter of a Novel today”. Keep goals like this. Setting realistic goals provides motivation and reduces frustration.
Use the POMODORO technique– The POMODORO technique is considered very effective in removing procrastination. It involves working with focus for 25 minutes to do a task and taking a 5-minute break. After four rounds, you can take a long break of 30 minutes. This technique prevents the work from becoming burdensome and keeps you fully focused.
Reward yourself– Reward yourself after your assigned work is completed. It can be anything like your favorite snack or watching a movie, or developing at your favorite place. Doing this helps in making the work interesting, and you will work with more interest next time.
Make accountability– Share your goal with family members or friends so that you can set a plan. For example, form a study group in which you and all your friends study together and if any friend procrastinates, then other friends should warn and motivate him.
Develop a positive mindset – Replace your negative self-talk with positive self-talk. For example, instead of saying “I can’t do this,” say “I will try and make changes gradually.” Creating a positive mindset about yourself and accepting mistakes is a great way to eliminate procrastination.
Use time management tools– A bad time management is one of the biggest reasons for procrastination. So to avoid this, use time management tools like to-do lists, calendars, or apps like Trello or Todoist. All these tools help you organize your work and use your time better.
Conclusion
In this article, we learned 10 ways to overcome procrastination. The habit of procrastination can be overcome with constant effort and understanding. But for this, you must identify the reasons for the habit of procrastination and try to overcome it by taking small steps. Use the methods mentioned in this article and tell us your experience. Also, do not forget to share this article.
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FAQ- How to Overcome Procrastination
What is the best way to deal with procrastination?
The best way to deal with procrastination is to set a specific goal and start with the 2-minute rule. The 2-minute rule recommends working on a task for only 2 minutes at the beginning.
