Put an end to a procrastination
We bet that at least once you’ve found yourself putting things off until later. Whether it’s completing work tasks, solving personal problems, or any other matter, we all procrastinate at some point and for some reason.
However, delaying, lazing around, rushing at the last minute — all of this forms a detrimental habit that leaves a negative mark on the quality of our work and hinders our productivity.
So we need to understand what is at the root of this problem and how to combat it.
Dr. Roy Baumeister, a psychologist at the University of Florida, has studied what we used to call self-control and concluded that it is a limited and exhaustive resource. Therefore, when we cannot pull ourselves together and our self-control level is critically low, we choose activities that may be less useful or necessary but are definitely more enjoyable and easier for us.
Thus, we can consider procrastination not only as laziness or poor time management but also as an attempt to curb the negative emotions that certain involvement can cause.
Most commonly, procrastination is attributed to a pattern of thinking called the avoidance loop. It is triggered when you try to come up with some prerequisites for the realization of postponed goals. In this way, you focus not on your main objective but on the so-called distraction, thereby delaying the process of approaching the finish line. For example, “I need to clean up my workspace before I complete this task.”
As soon as you recognize this way of thinking, you need to take measures to break this cycle with preconditions. To do this, you should keep the main focus on the end goal while analyzing what exactly is holding you back from achieving it. All that remains afterward is to turn your obstacles into opportunities to move on. That is, your consciousness should perceive the above example as follows, “I just need to clean up my workspace, and I will be able to complete this task.”
So, the main challenge is to overcome the initial barrier and get the ball rolling. Then you will know what to do next and realize that this first impediment was nothing more than a simple delusion.
Regarding procrastination, it’s also worth mentioning the types of procrastinators that scientists identify. Analyzing your motives for putting things off until later will help you figure out your type and find tips that can help you cope with this problem.
The Perfectionist
People with this type of procrastination pay too much attention to details. They are afraid of missing something, and they do not move on to the next stage without bringing the previous one to their subjective “perfection”. Their fear of failing, doing something imperfectly, or not meeting high standards is their main deterrent.
The right thing to do for Perfectionists is to concentrate on their progress and limit the time they spend on a particular task. Remember that there is no such thing as perfection, so striving for a realistic framework of excellence is much better.
The Dreamer
It is quite tricky for Dreamers to pull themselves together and start implementing their plans as they are thrown off balance by even the slightest difficulty and the thought of making significant efforts. They prefer to create picture-perfect plans and think of flawless schemes rather than take any action. Such procrastinators often misallocate their time and quickly lose interest in their work.
First of all, Dreamers should learn how to turn their dreams into specific and, more importantly, attainable goals. They need to develop a realistic attitude to a particular task and a sense of the passage of time. Drawing up a clear plan of action and estimating time as well as small rewards for higher motivation can help with this.
The Worrier
In this case, the main reasons for procrastination are fear of change, lack of confidence in one’s own abilities, anxiety at the thought of failure, and dependence on the advice or help of others. Such people are afraid to leave the so-called comfort zone of their habitual routine, preferring the safety of the “known” to the risk of the “unknown.”
To find a way out of the situation, they first need to believe in themselves and realize that failure is guaranteed to befall them if they do nothing. Each new task ought not to be taken as something impossible. Instead, it should be broken down into smaller, more manageable pieces. Don’t be afraid to make a commitment first and then think about how to implement it. It is also recommended to add stress-reducing activities such as yoga or meditation to the daily routine for better effect.
The Crisis-Maker
Crisis-Makers enjoy the thrill of work and the stress they provoke by waiting until the last minute to start a task. This way, they try to relieve boredom. They tend to believe they do their best with the adrenaline rush of a tight deadline. Yet, the quality of the work performed is still questionable.
However, you don’t have to go to extremes. Try to find other sources of motivation to work hard in lieu of stress. Change your thinking style from extremist to moderate, and remember that interest in work may appear after you have already started it.
The Defier
These procrastinators tend to resist outside guidance, deadlines, or external expectations. They don’t like to feel in control, and many assigned tasks seem like a waste of time.
Instead, they need to learn to see these tasks not as an order or a demand but as a request. Also, when receiving another assignment, Defiers should strive to act appropriately rather than react indignantly.
The Over-Doer
Over-Doers are accustomed to taking on too many obligations, which can be challenging to manage. They find it difficult to refuse or ask for help. For this reason, they often feel overwhelmed and unable to cope with all the tasks. As a result, they just postpone them.
Such people should learn to say “no” whenever possible and appropriate. It’s also important for them to practice making to-do lists, prioritizing, and managing their time and energy properly.
Needless to note that procrastination can be a complex behavior affected by many factors, such as personality traits, emotions, habits, and cognitive biases. However, realizing the reasons behind your procrastination and applying effective strategies to get over it can help you manage your workload and reach your goals more effectively.
By the way, if you are interested in improving your time management skills, this article will definitely come in handy for you:
https://medium.com/@keplers-team/boost-your-time-management-skills-e0747f1173d2
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