Procrastination: How to prevent it
Have a problem with putting things off? Here's how to stop procrastinating and start getting things done
Did you know that as much as 20% of people may be chronic procrastinators? That 20% represents 1,560,000,000 people. So what is procrastination? Procrastination is the act or habit of putting off or delaying something, especially something requiring immediate attention. Everyone puts things off, whether it's small tasks or big responsibilities. Procrastination plays a very important role in many people’s lives, but there are ways to avoid procrastination and get back on track.
First, we should understand what procrastination is. Understanding why procrastinators act the way that they do is key if you want to figure out how to stop being one yourself. Procrastinators fall into three main types: Delayers, Perfectionists, and Easily Distractible. Each one is different, though they all suffer the same kinds of dire consequences when they put things off. Delayers- these people have a hard time getting started on any task. They tend to put things off and never get back on it, often repeatedly putting off homework assignments until the night before they're due. Delayers often want to start new positive habits, but postpone them while telling themselves that they will start one day. Moving on, the Perfectionists- these people often begin tasks but cannot finish them because the projects are not considered “perfect,” or they feel that the project is not ready to be judged. Last, the Easily Distractible- those who get side-tracked and often forget about their work. These people always find something else to do that offers them immediate gratification rather than the satisfaction that completing the task would bring.
Now that we looked at the types of procrastination, let's answer the prime question- "why do I procrastinate?" Sometimes, the difficulty of a task causes the brain to lose motivation and avoid the task altogether, choosing instead to stay in its comfort zone. When it comes to specific reasons why most people procrastinate, the following are among the most common.
Abstract goals- this means if a person finds themself reaching for an objective they are unlikely to obtain, this can cause them to view the goal as abstract, or only existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence, which in turn can increase the likelihood they will procrastinate on it.
Feeling overwhelmed- people sometimes procrastinate because they feel overwhelmed concerning the tasks that they need to handle or complete. Feeling overwhelmed can occur for a variety of reasons, such as having a single task that feels huge or having a large number of small tasks that add up. When this happens, a person might decide to avoid the activity.
The fear of judgment or failure also often prevents people from working toward their goals. Fear of failure plagues the lives of millions of children, teens, and adults. Procrastination often follows.
Procrastination affects everyone, but it can be especially destructive for students. Procrastination can harm schoolwork, grades, and overall health. Students who procrastinate experience higher levels of frustration, guilt, stress, and anxiety.
Procrastination goes far beyond bad grades, though. Previous research has linked chronic procrastination to a range of stress-related health problems such as headaches, digestive issues, even decreased immune response.
While you may think chronic procrastination is hard to overcome, there are some easy steps you can take to reduce procrastination.
Get organized. You cannot do any work if you are unsure about what assignments need to be completed. Keeping a journal or planner is essential for keeping track of projects.
Set simple, achievable goals. Part of the reason we procrastinate is that the task at hand seems too daunting, so setting easy goals you know you can complete will help prepare and guide you to bigger tasks.
Create a timeline/schedule. Laying out your week will help you see more clearly what you need to get done and when you need to do it. When you know exactly when you need to work on certain tasks, it'll be harder for deadlines to sneak up on you.
Get rid of distractions. Distractions, such as phones, loud noises, etc. can impact how you get your work done. If you are constantly checking your phone or getting up to do something, it is best to figure out why that is happening and find a way to reduce it. In order to avoid constant distraction during a work session, you can get up periodically and refresh yourself by getting a bite to eat or listening to some music.
The last simple step to avoid procrastination is one of the most important keys to efficient work: taking care of yourself. Drinking water, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep are all ways to help avoid chronic procrastination. Taking good care of yourself is crucial to maintaining a healthy life and getting things done.
Without a doubt, procrastination has an immense impact on daily lives, but there are ways to overcome it. Keeping a positive mindset and understanding why you are procrastinating comes before anything else.
This is Ava’s first year on the Edge staff and second year at Edgewood. She enjoys watching YouTube or reading. As a staff writer this year, she hopes to learn new things and write interesting stories for people.