Why Shouldn’t You Put Things Off Until Later?
Have you ever asked yourself a question, “Why do I procrastinate so much?”? By answering positively, you either confirm your need to change something or just want to understand the issue. Procrastination is tightly connected with our goal setting ability. Delaying is about proper time management and motivation. Yet, not everyone can find the reason for putting things off. This article provides basic answers to the “Why do we procrastinate?” question and suggests basic solutions.
Fear of a Failure
Low self-esteem makes people feel weak and insecure. Why do I keep procrastinating? they might ask. “Because I will surely do that wrong or worse than others?” There are two reasons for such procrastination.
- People are abused and always told they will never succeed in their lives. Eventually, when you are always told so, you start believing in it.
- Others expect too much from this person and one failure can ruin the reputation of a perfectionist.
Both individuals suffer from stress that makes them procrastinate.
Solution
Everyone makes mistakes. Yet, one should set manageable goals. When a person realizes plans or an assignment step-by-step, there is little chance of suffering a fiasco.
Laziness
“Why do I procrastinate everything? Well, because I am lazy bones”. It is a typical answer of unmotivated people. Why do we lack motivation? One should dig deeper to find the answer.
- First, you might lack motivation if you chase someone’s dreams, not yours. You dislike what you do and feel lazy to finish and even start doing the required task.
- Second, you can experience total burnout. When you take too much on your shoulders, you risk failing in everything because of a deficit of vital powers.
- Finally, you do not see your final destination. Why should I do that?
Besides, we lose motivation when others stop seeing our success. Parents often reward their children for good grades. What do adults and most teens get? As a rule, nothing because it is their duty.
Solution
One should search for different ways to make the assigned task interesting. For this, a person needs to set a clear and achievable goal. Instead of “Why do I procrastinate?” one should ask oneself “What should I do not to put things off?” Moreover, one should better not follow someone’s dreams or at least adjust them to one’s preferences. For example, “I will do that because I want to buy a new smartphone” or “ I should do that because it helps me gain the required hard and soft skills that I will need for the job I want to get”.
The Task is Beyond Your Limits
Another popular reason for procrastination is a fear of the task itself. For example, when students get their dissertation topic, they usually experience a writer’s block problem. Where should they start? What should they do? Such a task seems to be mission impossible for them. As a result, they delay its performance and fail or ask someone to do that instead of them.
Solution
If a task realization requires much time and effort, it is necessary to divide it into smaller parts. One should also outline it. A detailed plan with a set deadline for each section lets people handle the task on time. They do not see the reason to set it aside as it meets their physical and intellectual limits.
Poor Time Management Skills
Time management is a must-have skill for people today. The world is changing rapidly and needs flexible and adaptive inhabitants. Why am I such a procrastinator? Well, the answer is, “You do not know how to take the most out of the 24 hours that you have daily!” How should one learn proper time management?
Solution
Use one of the famous time management techniques, plan your day, and you will see the amount of time you will still have for fun.
So, Why Is Procrastination Dangerous?
As you can see, procrastination is a problem that is connected with lots of failures. People usually associate it with broken dreams, unrealized goals, and lost opportunities. Moreover, one can suffer serious health complications. People who are pressed by deadlines always feel stressed and anxious. Abnormal anxiety and worries lead to sleep deprivation and depression. As a result, people lose motivation and interest in everything.
Solution
The only thing that can save people from procrastination is a strong motivation and a systematic reward system. If nobody praises you, praise yourself. You will see how pleasant it is to work hard and get a reward. These things are impossible without proper timing. So, prioritize things and do the most urgent and important tasks first. Don’t forget to rest to restore energy and avoid serious health complications.