To procrastinate – keep delaying something that must be done,
often because it is unpleasant or boring.
(Cambridge Dictionary)
Procrastination can affect various aspects of our lives, including work, personal goals, and well-being.
Are you:
- avoiding difficult conversations or decisions with colleagues or superiors?
- ignoring emails or requests until they become urgent?
- postponing addressing debt until it becomes a crisis?
- delaying cleaning your house?
- waiting until the night before to start writing an important paper?
The reasons can be different.
- Lack of motivation – this is perhaps the most common cause. When a task doesn’t align with our goals and values, it can be difficult to be motivated to solve it.
- Poor time management – without a structured plan, tasks remain all over the place, so it becomes easier to postpone them. This lack of organization can lead to a constant feeling of having too much to do.
- Perfectionism – some people delay tasks because of the fear that they won’t meet their incredibly high standards. This can paralyze, making it hard to even begin a project for fear of making a mistake.
- Task aversion – assignments that some people find boring end up on the procrastination list. Instead of confronting discomforts, people hope they will somehow disappear. They won’t.
Here is what to do:
- Identify triggers – choose situations that lead to procrastination and address them.
- Set priorities – determine what truly matters and focus your energy there.
- Establish visible deadlines – write them down where you can see them daily.
- Embrace imperfection – free yourself from the grip of perfectionism.
- Reward progress – celebrate your achievements with tangible rewards.
- Recognize the difference – distinguish between procrastination and a genuine need for preparation when facing a challenging task.
