Procrastination: The Enemy of Success

Procrastination—also known as, mindlessly non-stop scrolling on Facebook or Instagram, saying “just one more episode” in Netflix series, or completing tasks on the day of the deadline —is the root of many failed goals and broken dreams. Sounds familiar? Indeed, procrastination can have a crucial impact on your life. It is the enemy of all achievement. If you are struggling in beating this enemy most especially when you are working remotely, you are not alone. Read on to learn more.

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Top Reasons for Procrastination

Timothy Pychyl Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, identifies three main reasons we procrastinate:

1. Challenging tasks make us feel uncomfortable.

2. We have weak and vague intentions.

3. We are easily distracted.

Another common reason is our fear of failure and rejection. These feelings of fear are so strong that we tend to find comfort in the idea that it’s better to never try and never fail than to give our all and risk falling painfully.

The Perils of Procrastination

Loss of Time

There is an old saying, “Procrastination is the thief of time”. The worst thing about procrastinating is the moment you realize that you are three, five, or ten years older and nothing has changed. Knowing the situation could have been so different if only you had taken that first step could surely lead you to feelings of frustrations.

Damage Relationships

When you only start working on the day of the deadline, you may neglect or ignore your other responsibilities, thus causing a gap with your colleagues and friends. Such stressful situations could have been avoided in the first place if you choose to beat procrastination.

Stress

Procrastination causes stress and anxiety. When you put things off, you feel stressed thinking about the things you’ve left undone.

How to Beat Procrastination

Now that you understand some of the major problems procrastination can produce, let’s look at strategies to manage procrastination. Try these simple techniques to destroy this disastrous enemy!

Start Small

When we give ourselves too many things to do, we end up feeling overwhelmed. Learn to just choose one thing that you have been procrastinating for so long and commit to complete that task. Taking one step at a time is so much better than not taking a single step at all.

Be Organized

The most effective way to fight procrastination is to be organized and use strategies such as scheduling, goal setting, and other relevant techniques that help in getting tasks done in a timely manner. Prepare a list of tasks to ensure that you have the right things to do at the right time. Rank your tasks according to urgency so it will be easier for you to focus on what to prioritize first.

Set up Reminders

Schedule a daily or hourly reminder that you should be working on something or at least not wasting your time. You can also set up reminders that give you inspiring quotes.

Put Aside Distractions

Distractions are undoubtedly time-killers. It is too easy to check out social media, or finish watching a movie or series when we are avoiding a task. When working on a task, put away your devices to avoid distractions.

Reward Yourself

This is a good way to avoid procrastination. You may reward yourself with the time to watch a movie you would enjoy after you have finished the things you need to do, rather than using the movie to keep yourself from getting things done. Research reveals that human brain responds to reward stimulus and this can be a good way to create habits.

Have an Accountability Buddy

Having an accountability buddy can contribute to your success in combatting procrastination. A fun way is to have a bet with your buddy. Choose a day and time that you will complete a certain task and then tell your buddy that you will treat him/her to a movie or food (or anything you want to bet) if you will not complete your task a day before deadline. If you haven’t completed your task by then, you owe your buddy whatever you bet!

Give Yourself a Break

If you are having a hard time beating procrastination, don’t be too hard on yourself. Remember, you are human and we have our own share of frailties. Keep striving to get out of it. Relaxing is totally not a waste of time, even if the lack of action makes it feel that way. Rest is a necessity not a luxury. So go ahead and take a break. You deserve it!

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Takeaway

By anticipating how you will act in the future and accepting that there will always be more to do help in overcoming procrastination. Starting on your task early allows you time to plan better, gather more information and modify or improve your work. As a result, you will achieve good work quality. There are no short cuts to success. Moreover, acting quickly to accomplish your tasks early will not only lessen the number of tasks that you have to complete, it will also minimize your worries.

Always remember that a person who works hard and does not procrastinate will be more successful in life. Time is your greatest asset, thus should be spent wisely. Productive people make things happen while procrastinators make good excuses. Which one do you aim to be?

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“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” —Dale Carnegie