This is a visual representation of most of us. Can you relate to this?
I think many of us are great procrastinators. We would spend hours watching TV, uploading statuses, scrolling Instagram feed but postpone completing the important tasks. Is this laziness or something else? Well, psychology says that we avoid doing some task when we have difficulty managing distress. That is when people view some task in an unpleasant manner when it seems that they can’t do it, or they are not willing to do it.
While some researchers believe that people procrastinate because they think they have much time to complete the task than they actually have. There are so many key reasons why people tend to delay doing some work. However, at some point, procrastination causes stress and anxiety too that can affect our well-being too.
Thus, to overcome that state, here are some useful ways that will help you fight procrastination.
- Figure out the benefits of completing the task
Some tasks seem too boring that we delay completing them. We feel demotivated and keep on pending. Instead of doing so, start counting the benefits of completing that work. For instance, if you are thinking to start dieting from today and can’t implement it, start imagining the positive side of dieting, its benefits and its effects on your body.
- Mark your calendar
Make a habit to schedule your projects or any other work. Sometimes there are so many things all cluttered up, that it becomes really difficult to complete them on time. Therefore, it’s good to keep a calendar and mark the days and dates. Once, you have a deadline to complete the task, you’ll stop pending it.
- Be realistic
Don’t think that marking calendars will ease your work. It will only remind you of the projects and their deadlines. Be realistic, as there are some tasks that require more time and extra effort than expected. So try to make things easier for yourself and engage yourself in the task.
- Try making things manageable
At times it becomes hectic for you alone to complete everything on time. Washing clothes, cleaning home, completing assignments all become a mess which often leads to procrastination because you think that it’s hard to bear everything at the same time. But do not panic! Break your tasks into manageable parts and do everything in an organized way.
- Be determined
Determination is the key to success. Never set excuses for your work. Do not say that, “I’ll do this after playing a game.” Or “I have to go on a hangout, so I’ll read the project description later.” This usually happens when you assume something as so hard which is actually NOT! The only way to overcome this is, be honest with yourself, and once you start something, do it with full commitment and determination.
- Set a peaceful environment
The work-friendly environment is very necessary. There are a lot of things around us that distract us such as TV, mobile phone, family gatherings, and so on. It becomes too difficult to focus on work. Hence, you need to set a peaceful environment first which do not hinder your productivity. Let go off everything until you have finished the task.
- Don’t focus on perfectionism
Since nothing is perfect, so drop out perfectionism. Perfectionism is nothing, but just a mental concept which has no reality. People wait for a perfect time to start their projects and some delay because they believe that if it is not going to be perfect, it will be a big failure. This often causes stress and lead to procrastination. Instead of focusing on all this, just try to be better. Strive for excellence and get your task done.
