What Is Procrastination and How to Overcome It

Last Updated on November 20, 2023 by Milton Campbell

Procrastination is a common issue among people of all ages. It can have a negative impact on one’s life, leading to stress and guilt. Fortunately, several strategies can help you overcome procrastination and take control of your life.

This article will explore what procrastination is, its causes, and how to manage it effectively. By understanding the underlying causes of procrastination, you can develop effective strategies for overcoming it and becoming more productive in your daily life.

What Is Procrastination?

Procrastination is defined as the habit of putting off or avoiding tasks. People who often procrastinate are typically people who struggle with self-discipline, poor time management skills, and a lack of motivation. But the good news is that it’s something you can overcome if you’re willing to put in the work.

The Negative Impact of Procrastination

Procrastination is a habit that can negatively impact your life. It can lead to loss of time, missed opportunities, a lower chance of success, and less money. Time management skills are essential to avoid these consequences. If one can manage their time wisely, they can achieve their goals while avoiding procrastination.

Cause of procrastination

person relaxing with blanket and feet propped.

Below we’ll discuss the causes of procrastination.

Lack of self-discipline

One of the most common causes of procrastination is a lack of self-discipline. Although there are many different definitions of self-discipline, in general, it is the ability to follow through with tasks and commitments even when faced with difficulty or temptation.

Fear and anxiety

Fear and anxiety are two of the most common causes of procrastination. People are afraid of the outcome, and they’re afraid they can’t do it. They’re also afraid they will fail. These fears can be paralyzing leading to the thing you fear most. Failure!

Perfectionism

Perfectionism is a term that is used to describe someone who sets very high standards for themselves and feels extremely disappointed when they don’t meet those standards. Perfectionism can often lead to people feeling stressed, anxious, and depressed.

Most people who are perfectionistic tend to be very driven and motivated. They want to do their best and believe that if they achieve perfect results then they will have succeeded. But this can also be very damaging. When people set such high standards it becomes very hard to achieve anything. It can even lead to people giving up on their dreams and goals completely.

It is important that perfectionism is identified and dealt with early on in life. If left unchecked, it can lead to significant problems in both our personal lives and our professional careers.

Low Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem can be a leading cause of procrastination. People who have low self-esteem often feel like they are not good enough, and this can lead to them putting off tasks that they think are difficult or challenging. They may also feel like they are not able to succeed at these tasks, which can lead to them avoiding them altogether.

Trouble Focusing

Whenever we get busy with our daily lives, it’s hard to focus on what we need to do. Distractions come in all shapes and sizes, but the most important thing we can do to prevent procrastination is to try to not let distractions stop us from doing what we need to do.

Decision paralysis

Decision paralysis is a condition where people find it hard to make decisions. This can be caused by several different things, but the most common is fear of the consequences of making a decision. This fear can be so intense that it stops people from doing anything.

In addition, many people are indecisive because they don’t have enough information to make an informed decision. This can lead to them not doing anything at all because they don’t know what to do.

Finally, people can get decision paralysis when they’re trying to decide between two equally good options. Because there’s no clear winner, they end up doing nothing.

Why Do You Procrastinate?

Procrastination is not always laziness. There are many different reasons why someone might want to postpone tasks. Understanding the different roots of procrastination can help you find the appropriate solution for you.

Is It Possible To Overcome Procrastination?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to overcoming procrastination, as everyone experiences it differently. I’m here to tell you that you can overcome procrastination and be a more productive you. Next, we are going to discuss some tips that have helped many others overcome procrastination and they can help you too. It just takes a little self-control and dedication to be a better version of yourself.

Tips to stop procrastinating

A person sleeping in a chair at work.

If you’ve made it this far into the article, you’re off to a great start on becoming less of a procrastinator. Keep reading for some more strategies and techniques you can do to be more productive. 

Make yourself an award system

One of the best ways to boost productivity is to create an award system for yourself. This will help you stay motivated and focused on your goals. Create a system in which you give yourself points for accomplishing specific tasks or goals. Once you reach a certain amount of points you get a specific reward. This can be something as small as a break or as big as a vacation depending on the points you’ve earned. 

Hold yourself accountable

If you want to achieve something, you have to hold yourself accountable. And one way to do that is to make a plan and then stick to it. If you start procrastinating, you’ll never get anywhere. So make a commitment to yourself and then stay focused on your goal. You can do it!

Set achievable goals

When setting goals, it is important to remember that not all goals are created equal. Some goals are too ambitious and may be out of reach, while others are too simple and may not lead to the desired outcome.

It is important to create goals that are SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. By writing down these five key factors, you can make sure that your goal is achievable and will lead to a positive result.

Finally, try to keep your To-Do list short and concise so that you can focus on achieving your goals.

Just get started

 If you want to change your life for the better, you need to start by making small changes. You can’t expect to change everything at once; you have to start with something and work your way up. The first step is to take action, even if it’s just a little bit, to change your life for the better. Don’t delay anymore, get started today and you will start to see the results.

Chunk tasks down

Smaller tasks provide motivation because they feel more attainable. When you are working on a smaller task, you know that you can finish it. This gives you the incentive to work harder and achieve your goals. Additionally, completing smaller tasks can help you better understand the task at hand. This knowledge can make the task easier or faster to complete, depending on the situation. Complete these smaller tasks and before you know it you’ll have the big tasks nearly done. 

Stay organized

Being organized is key to having a successful day. It can help you stay on track and be more productive. If you are disorganized, it can lead to anxiety and stress. It is important to try to establish some organization in your life so you can be more productive and reduce the amount of stress you experience. Lowering your stress and anxiety will help you not procrastinate.

Find Your Motivation

Finding motivation can be a challenge for anyone. There are many forms of motivation out there, and it can be hard to find the right one for you. However, using different forms of motivation can help keep you on track.

Some common forms of motivation include feeling good about yourself, being appreciated, enjoying what you do, rewards, money, and feeling like you’re making a difference. It’s important to find the form of motivation that works best for you. You can use different forms of motivation throughout the day or the week.

Try to find ways to enjoy what you’re doing. This will help keep you motivated and on track. Additionally, try to find people or things that inspire you. This will help keep your motivation high and your spirits up.

Avoid perfectionism

 There is a saying that goes, “If it’s not perfect, it’s not good enough.” Unfortunately, this mentality can have a negative impact on our productivity.

Perfectionism can also be a killer of productivity. We may feel like we need to complete every task perfectly to be successful. This can lead to stress and frustration, which ultimately reduces our ability to get work done.

Instead of striving for perfection, try to embrace the idea that some tasks don’t need to be perfect. This way, you’ll be able to complete more tasks successfully and build your confidence along the way.

The 80/20 rule states 80% of the effort is spent on 20% of the tasks. If you can figure out which of that 20% of the tasks is not vital, you can have a lot more time and energy for the crucial tasks.

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