Cleaning instead of writing chores, Netflix instead of job hunting, baking instead of filing taxes. Procrastination prevents us from doing what is really important. Advisors often refer to this as a problem of personal time management. But scientists point out that there is generally no correlation between procrastinating on important tasks and one’s own time management. Procrastinators do not complete crucial projects because they lack time, but merely because they lack motivation.
The three basic reasons for procrastination are ego, fear and boredom. For example, tasks such as looking for a new job, completing a project, or writing a term paper are often associated with the fear of experiencing defeat. Poor grades or rejections on a job application are demotivating and the anticipation of this alone can deter one from the task. This is also where ego kicks in. Disappointment chips away at self-confidence. This is because it only wants to receive good news and praise. And people who tend to procrastinate usually do something more interesting than “boring” and exhausting tasks: so, the procrastinator can play on Bizzo Casino New Zealand instead of doing important tasks.
If we are faced with a task for which we have little enthusiasm and where we are concerned that it will not meet our aspirations due to lack of time or enthusiasm, we prefer to put the activity off further. Another inhibiting factor for motivation is boredom. To prevent boredom, it helps to first do an activity that we enjoy and is still productive. This is the first step in turning your own procrastination to your advantage.
A LONG TO-DO LIST AGAINST PROCRASTINATION
So how can you put the motivation behind procrastination to work for you? Create a long to-do list. The tasks that seem very intimidating should be at the top. Less daunting tasks that still need to be done are further down. These include, for example, taking care of insurance and banking matters, making a check-up appointment with the doctor, or taking job application pictures.
In fact, whether the top task is of particular importance is less significant. As long as it is unpleasant, it tempts you to switch to other tasks. For example, you’ve been putting off finding an apartment for a while, and you’re also unhappy with your current job. Get clear on which of the two tasks you are most uncomfortable with. This should be at the top of your list. This way, the second item will seem less daunting to you and seems like a good and productive alternative that will allow you to put off the first item for a while.
So if you want to effectively combat your own procrastination and make it work for you, you wouldn’t do well to purge your to-do list of small tasks. Few important tasks lead to procrastination and boredom. Instead, it is helpful to create long lists of tasks that need to be done sooner or later. If you then organize them from unpleasant to pleasant, you’re well on your way to working productively.
