Procrastination is a real art!

Procrastination is a real art, my friends. It’s an art that I’ve been perfecting for as long as I can remember. I’m sure many of you can relate. You have a deadline approaching, but instead of starting early, you find yourself doing anything and everything except the task at hand. You clean the house, you binge-watch your favourite show on Netflix, or you scroll endlessly through social media.

So why do we procrastinate? Well, there are many reasons. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the task ahead and don’t know where to start. Other times we simply don’t feel like doing it. And then there’s the fact that some people just work better under pressure.  These are the three I experience the most when I hit a “self-inflicted lull”.

For me, the adrenaline rush of leaving things to the last minute actually helps me produce some of my best work. But as I get older, the anxiety and stress that come with procrastination become less manageable.  And to be honest, I could do with less anxiety and stress, especially with what we face today in life. 

But why is it so hard to stop procrastinating? It’s because procrastination is a habit, and like any habit, it’s hard to break. Plus, procrastination gives us an instant reward – the pleasure of avoiding the task at hand. It’s a form of instant gratification that’s hard to resist.

So, how can we work through procrastination? Well, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are a few steps that have personally helped me along the way:

1. Break tasks down into smaller, more manageable parts. Sometimes the task at hand seems overwhelming, but if you break it down into smaller parts, it becomes less daunting.
2. Set deadlines for yourself. Even if you don’t have a deadline for the task, set one for yourself. This will give you a sense of urgency and help you stay on track.
3. Get rid of distractions. Turn off your phone, log out of social media, and find a quiet place to work. This will help you stay focused on the task at hand.
4. Reward yourself. Set up a system of rewards for yourself. For example, if you finish the task, treat yourself to something you enjoy, like a movie or a special meal.
5. Finally, be kind to yourself. Procrastination is a hard habit to break, so don’t beat yourself up if you slip up. Just get back on track and keep trying.

Procrastination may be an art, but it’s also a habit that can impede our mental health and cause us unnecessary stress and anxiety. While it’s not easy to break the habit, it’s worth the effort. So, work through procrastination and get things done timeously. Who knows, we might just surprise ourselves with how much we can accomplish.