Imagine this scenario -
You dutifully make your to-do-list and create what you think is a reasonable schedule and timetable to finish up your project or a task. The next day comes and you sit at your computer, look at your list, and then for reasons you can’t even explain, open up Facebook and lose hours reading the same inconsequential news feed over and over again. Your timetable is blown up and you move on to something else, something more pressing or something just as inane.
Sounds familiar?
We thought so!
Have you ever wondered why you – or others – procrastinate?
You dutifully make your to-do-list and create what you think is a reasonable schedule and timetable to finish up your project or a task. The next day comes and you sit at your computer, look at your list, and then for reasons you can’t even explain, open up Facebook and lose hours reading the same inconsequential news feed over and over again. Your timetable is blown up and you move on to something else, something more pressing or something just as inane.
Sounds familiar?
We thought so!
Have you ever wondered why you – or others – procrastinate?
While some view it as laziness, there might be other factors at play. In psychology, it has been long been believed that people who procrastinate have a faulty sense of time, that they think they will have more time to get something done than they actually do. Specifically, it seems that task aversion is to blame i.e. when people view a task in an unpleasant manner (tough, boring, or painful), they are more likely to put it off.
Sometimes people procrastinate because other options for how to spend their time are too tempting to pass up, or they think they can work better under pressure. People convince themselves that they’re waiting until crunch time because the product will be better. Other times, they procrastinate because they don’t know how to begin.
If you are struggling with putting things off, try these tips which might help get you on track:
Sometimes people procrastinate because other options for how to spend their time are too tempting to pass up, or they think they can work better under pressure. People convince themselves that they’re waiting until crunch time because the product will be better. Other times, they procrastinate because they don’t know how to begin.
If you are struggling with putting things off, try these tips which might help get you on track:
1. Put it in writing
Write down the tasks you’ve been avoiding. This will bring the project to the front of your mind so you can’t easily ignore it.2. Neutralize negative thinking
When you think of this task, what negative thought pops into your head? Find an antidote to that thought in the form of a truth that contradicts it. Instead of thinking “I’ll never be able to learn all this,” you might say to yourself, “I can do this”.3. Break it into parts
When a task seems overbearing, procrastination often follows. So how can you break that task into smaller, more manageable parts? Chunking it down will help you feel less overwhelmed and more empowered.4. Stop giving excuses
Do any of these sound familiar? “I need to be in the mood.”, “I will wait until I have time.”, “I work better under pressure.” Be honest with yourself, these are excuses which will never allow you to start your work. Stop giving them and start working5. Enjoy the victory
Finishing a daunting task is satisfying. Remind yourself that you’ll feel incredibly virtuous when the chore is off your plate once and for all. Accomplishing what you’re avoiding will simplify your work life. You’ll feel more energetic. You’ll sleep better at night. Relish the feeling of success.
Stop waiting for “someday”. Start working on your tasks today and finish it off with a lot of time in your hand before the deadline. Follow these steps to get started on your project, and be proud of every bit of progress you make!
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