We all have that one thing (or five things) that we just can’t seem to get started on. Maybe it’s a work project, maybe it’s cleaning the bathroom, or maybe it’s finally learning to play the guitar. Whatever it is, we tend to procrastinate like it’s our job (and let’s be real, sometimes it feels like it should be). So, why do we put things off, and what can we do to stop? Let’s find out!
Common Causes of Procrastination:
- Fear of Failure – Ah, yes, the old classic. We’re so afraid of screwing up that we’d rather just not try at all. It’s like that saying, “If you never try, you can never fail, but you can also never succeed, so…good luck with that.”
- Lack of Motivation – Some things are just straight-up boring. Like cleaning the gutters. Who even wants to do that? Not me, and probably not you either.
- Distractions – Thanks to smartphones and social media, we’re more distracted than ever. It’s like our brains are wired to check Instagram every five minutes, even though we know deep down that we should be doing something else.
- Perfectionism – We want everything to be just right, but sometimes that means we don’t start at all. It’s like, “I can’t start this report until I have the perfect pen, the perfect notebook, and the perfect cup of coffee.” Spoiler alert: there’s no such thing as perfect.
- Poor Time Management – If we don’t have a plan, we’re screwed. We’ll end up scrolling through Twitter for hours, and suddenly it’s midnight and we haven’t even started on that thing we were supposed to do. Oops.
Negative Effects of Procrastination:
- Increased Stress – Procrastination can make us feel like we’re drowning in a sea of deadlines. We’re stressed out, anxious, and wondering why we didn’t just start this thing sooner.
- Missed Opportunities – When we procrastinate, we miss out on all kinds of cool stuff. Like that job opportunity we didn’t apply for, or that trip we didn’t take because we were too busy binge-watching Netflix.
- Poor Performance – When we wait until the last minute, we’re not exactly setting ourselves up for success. We’ll be frazzled, tired, and probably not doing our best work.
- Guilt and Shame – Procrastination can make us feel like we’re bad people. Like we’re lazy, unmotivated, and just plain old not good enough. But that’s not true! We’re awesome! We just need to work on our time management skills.
5 Tips for Turning Procrastination into Enthusiasm and Motivation:
- Set Small Goals – It’s like that old saying, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” (Disclaimer: I’m not advocating for eating elephants. That’s weird and illegal.) Break big tasks down into smaller, more manageable chunks.
- Create a Plan – If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. It’s like building a house without a blueprint. Sure, you might end up with something that looks vaguely like a house, but it’ll probably fall apart in a stiff breeze.
- Remove Distractions – Put down the phone. Step away from the computer. Get rid of anything that might tempt you to procrastinate. (Except for snacks. Keep the snacks.)
- Practice Self-Compassion – Be kind to yourself! You’re doing the best you can. (It’s true!)
- Find Your Why – Why do you want to finish this thing? What’s the end goal? Keeping that in mind can help motivate you to get started and keep going.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “These tips sound great and all, but how am I supposed to actually put them into practice?” Well, my friend, that’s where the real challenge comes in. But don’t worry, you got this! Just remember, even if you fall off the productivity wagon, it’s never too late to get back on. (Unless it’s like, 11:59pm and your assignment is due at midnight. Then you might be out of luck.) By understanding why we procrastinate and taking some simple steps to overcome it, we can become the productive, motivated, and awesome people we were always meant to be. Now go forth and conquer that to-do list! (But first, maybe just one more quick scroll through Instagram…)
