The text made me smile as it came at a time when I was sitting in front of my laptop and hanging on Facebook. I was actually supposed to write a progress report on one of my projects but in the last three hours I wasn’t even done with the introduction section.[break]
Many of us have the habit of delaying important tasks and instead get involved in low priority jobs. I’m always rushing to finish my course books in the eleventh hour, rushing to get print of the reports just minutes before submission, among other things, and I’m sure some of you’re nodding your heads and saying, “Me too!”
Don’t we just love postponing our work so we can enjoy what we have at the moment?
In psychological terms, the act of postponing a work is termed as “procrastination.” Some psychologists define it as the act of voluntarily delaying an intended course of action despite knowing the negative impacts of it.
Many people believe that they give their best when they are under pressure and this motivates people towards procrastination. But the main reason behind it is our laziness, distraction, false excuses, low willpower, self-denials and low ambitions. When we finish our work, we vow never to procrastinate again but end up repeating it within days. Just human nature, I suppose.
People take procrastination as a normal act. Some also take it as an “art” but it becomes more of a problem when it obstructs your normal life. Procrastination is a source of stress, anxiety, guilt, fear and depression and it also affects the productive ability of an individual.
Though tough, there are ways to tackle procrastination.
The first way is to prioritize the tasks that lie ahead of us. Giving importance to these tasks needing immediate attention will help to clear the path while attempting something.
The second way is to have better willpower and ambitions. Self-belief and self-motivation can beat every odd.
Also, by stopping making false excuses, we’ll be able to tackle procrastination. We have to develop a “never quit before finishing” attitude.
So, I think, along with me, everybody should start working today and not put off tasks for tomorrow; or they might get put off forever. Always beware of procrastination, or else, as Victor Kiam puts it, “Procrastination will assassinate your opportunities.”
The writer is currently a Research Assistant at the Department of Biotechnology at White House Institute of Science and Technology at Khumaltar, Lalitpur.
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