The brawl between the need to get stuff done and wanting to do nothing is a habit we all need to execute from our lives. Every one of us suffers from the bad habit of procrastination. Why do we tend to procrastinate? You can either be a perfectionist and put it off until it is the right time, or you are not confident with yourself enough to complete the task. Time management is also a massive inconvenience to procrastinators like me. Everyone knows, the more you put it off, the more that piles up. There are multiple ways to help a procrastinator get work done, here is a few.
Make your work environment fun and enjoyable. Whether you like your space comfy and roomy with a nice spot on the couch or, in a quiet dim-lit space. If your environment is not interchangeable think about things that make you excited and incorporate them into your study session. Some things I like to do are making myself a cozy drink or snack I can eat or drink while I study. Or I will reward myself later if I get a certain number of things done by the hour. The key to staying on track is setting little goals instead of one big goal. Setting little individual goals keeps you focused and motivated to do more. Take breaks frequently and inquire about that as a reward. If you constantly work and don’t take breaks, then no wonder you get bored and lose the urge to get it done. That is the start of the procrastination habit. People will give up when they feel they’ve enough and “save it for later” but then it never gets done.
Another helpful tip is to keep all distractions out of the room. Lock your phone in the kitchen and sit down in a place where a tv is not present. I also recommend putting on music that you don’t know the lyrics to. When you turn on music your mind is familiar with, its first instinct is to sing along. Even if you are not getting up and dancing you can find yourself still reciting the lyrics in your head. Music without lyrics can help you relax and be mindful of your task. Be mindful of the deadlines of the task. If a homework assignment has a due date, get that assignment done before the deadline to stop the risk of your grade dropping. Or get your cleaning done before the look of embarrassment from friends and family comes your way. But is there a way to outgrow the nasty habit of procrastination?
An article from McLean Hospital states, “Procrastination is highest in 14- to 29- year-olds. People procrastinate less as they age. Researchers believe the decline is linked to personality development, changes in time perception, and increased coping skills.” So, outgrowing the habit of procrastination is possible and quite likely. The older you get the more you realize the less time you can have. There is always a possibility your time can come sooner than you expected it to be. Younger people suffice this idea due to their age and timeless personalities. Even though everyone procrastinates, it does not mean you are lazy. When people put off their work and choose to watch television instead, they guilt themselves. You aren’t being sluggish you are just stressed. Stress is the number one factor of procrastination. Tasks upon tasks cause the most stress and sometimes not dealing with it at all is a way of handling it. At times it seems like a never-ending list of everything you do not want to do. But remember, keep distractions out of the room, make small individual goals for yourself, and even one task done is better than none. Stay motivated, you got this.
