Posted on Monday, May 19, 2025
|
by AMAC, D.J. Wilson
|
0 Comments
|
Procrastination refers to the act of delaying or postponing something. While it may sometimes result in something good, often procrastination can lead to worsening problems. Learn tips to take charge and avoid procrastination to achieve success!
Unintended negative consequences
A person may delay going to the dentist for fear of pain. However, avoidance of dental care may result in the progression of cavities. Or a busy person may decide to postpone getting a car’s oil changed. That delay may cause poor automobile performance or worse yet result in irreversible damage to the engine. In these examples, procrastination is the root cause of problems. It’s likely that visiting the dentist regularly and getting the car serviced in a timely manner would have yielded positive results instead of these unintended negative consequences.
Why do we procrastinate?
People tend to put off things that take up time or that they do not enjoy doing. Fear of failure, striving to be perfect, feeling overwhelmed, or lacking motivation can harm morale and increase inaction. A student who dislikes writing may procrastinate completing an essay, turning in a term paper, or taking a makeup literature exam. Here, task aversion is to blame. Unfortunately, the negative effects of procrastination can be far reaching. For instance, delaying the completion of assignments may not only negatively affect the student’s grades, but also threaten graduation.
Other reasons
Underlying mental or physical causes can lead to procrastination. A person under treatment for a medical condition may experience fatigue and/or have difficulty focusing. In turn, feeling unwell may impede abilities to make decisions, thereby contributing to procrastination. Depression, anxiety, and conditions such as ADHD or narcolepsy can also significantly impact an individual’s ability to manage time and complete tasks. Per McLeanhospital.org, procrastination is linked to physical illness. “People who procrastinate experience more stress and tend to delay treatments – which can create a cycle of poor health due to just putting things off.” Anybody experiencing procrastination related to mental or physical causes should seek the advice of a medical professional.
Poor time management – a main culprit of procrastination
Time management is a term that describes the ability to use one’s time effectively and productively, especially at home or at work. Proper time management skills don’t come naturally to everyone, yet they can be learned. Rather than letting workloads pile up, such as dirty laundry or unanswered emails, time management puts the focus on what needs to be done, helps people prioritize, and establishes a reasonable timeline to complete tasks. The parent who promises to bake 100 cupcakes for the school fair – yet waits until the last minute to get them done and is now under stress – is a prime example of someone with poor time management skills. Had that parent broken up the task into reasonable steps using efficient time management tactics, it would eliminate pressure. Establishing a timeline for accomplishing tasks is highly beneficial to those who underestimate the time it takes to get things done. To reduce stress, that parent could have shopped for ingredients day one, baked the cupcakes day two, and frosted them day three. Carving out specific time to get tasks done and working in manageable steps eliminates stalling and alleviates pressures associated with procrastination.
Avoiding distractions
Distractions, such as sudden interruptions at work or lack of focus due to social media, can get in the way of accomplishing tasks. When people are distracted, they tend to lose track of time and ignore what’s happening around them. Distractions can compound problems for those who have trouble getting started or face attention challenges. One of the best ways to stay focused and prevent procrastination is to control the environment. If noise is a distraction, find a quiet place to work. If text messaging is a distraction, temporarily switch the iPhone to “Do not disturb.”
Summary
In rare instances, procrastination can be positive by delivering time to reflect on feelings or ideas. Unfortunately, and more often, procrastination can harm performance, prompt feelings of panic, and trigger low self-esteem. The trouble with procrastination is the delay of important tasks that need to be done. Regrettably, the resulting negative consequences of putting things off can be far reaching. Establishing a clear step-by-step plan, utilizing time management techniques, and maintaining focus by avoiding distractions are vital ways to halt procrastination and gain momentum.
Disclosure: This article is purely informational and is not intended as a medical reference.
Read the full article here