Procrastination
the Bane of all Writers
Contents
What’s the Real Definition of Procrastination? ......................................................................... 2
8 Ways to Stop Procrastination .................................................................................................. 3
Can Procrastination Ever Be Beneficial? ................................................................................... 4
Is Fear and Anxiety at the Root of Your Procrastination? ......................................................... 5
Are You Guilty of Chronic Procrastination? ............................................................................. 6
What’s the Real Definition of Procrastination?
Let’s start with the definition from the dictionary. Procrastination is the act of putting off, postponing
or delaying intentionally and habitually something that should be done.
This act may make you feel guilty for not being productive and responsible. You become stressed
and this becomes an excuse to delay what should be done even further.
When you procrastinate, do you feel a low sense of self-esteem, not worthy and distressed that you’re
not meeting others expectations? Do you overestimate the size of a task until the thought of doing it
overwhelms you? It’s said that procrastinators expect too much from themselves and become out of
touch with reality and their goals are in reality only wishes and dreams.
Procrastinators are often times perfectionists. They spend an inordinate amount of time trying to
perfect one small task while the larger, needed task goes unfinished or not begun.
Perfectionists and procrastinators often continue to work on a tiny part of a project to avoid the
evaluation of others, thus becoming a workaholic. The underlying problem for some perfectionists is
that they are egocentric and will settle for nothing but the ultimate.
Psychologists classify procrastinators as two types: relaxed and tense or anxious. The relaxed type
directs their energy into tangent tasks, thus avoiding what needs to be done. They view the whole
elephant and are unable to take a bite at a time. They see the task as not pleasurable and enjoyable
and demand instant gratification. Procrastinators gain the gratification by doing a more menial chore.
The anxious type is usually unrealistic about time and goals lacking the ability to focus and tell
themselves they will start later. They rationalize reasons for delaying a beginning.
As time runs out, guilt and anxiousness increase leading to depression and even withdrawal. Failure,
delay and unmet goals become a cycle with an unending loop that continues to repeat.
Procrastination is common in the academic world when a student waits until the last minute to start an
assignment. Some students say they work better under pressure but this usually results in inferior
work. They know the work must be completed to complete the course but other more pleasurable
distractions get in the way.
If you avoid reality you could be a procrastinator on the road to a mental health disorder.
A compulsion to surf the net, play video games constantly, too much television, or even using sleep as
an escape could require professional help. These things are not bad in moderation but start with being
honest with yourself.
Do you see yourself in these definitions? This is an attempt to characterize the act of procrastination
and help you determine if you are, in fact, a procrastinator. No real solutions to procrastination are
offered here. The solution to most problems begins with awareness and admitting you have a need.
We’re all guilty of procrastination to some degree. Seek what degree is best for you.
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8 Ways to Stop Procrastination
We all procrastinate to some degree. There are always other things you could be doing. Some say
there’s no cure for procrastination so perhaps we need to seek not to prevent it but to slow it in the
best way possible. When you’re working on the most important thing on your to-do list, that’s good,
but you’ve delayed working on lesser things haven’t you?
Procrastination is a way of avoiding depression or coping with emotions that lead to depression or
stress. This brings only temporarily relief and the next day when you awaken, no little fairy has done
the work for you and the emotional stress of not completing your project returns. So, what to do?
Get organized. Now don’t procrastinate on this also. Make lists but keep it simple and realistic.
Include both small and the large things to do on this list. The completion of small things could lead to
big accomplishments.
When a task is completed, mark it off. It’s fun to watch your list grow shorter. You’ll be surprised
how this gives you a feeling of success and spurs you on to greater success. Classes in organization
are offered in many places and may be just right for you.
Prioritize your lists. The most important task is not always the most pleasant. Should you pay bills
that are due to avoid a late payment penalty or you should you clean out a kitchen utility drawer?
Meeting deadlines gives your morale a boost and sometimes your pocketbook too.
Take a step at a time and slice the work pie into smaller pieces. Before you know it the whole pie has
been eaten. It’s been said that the longest journey begins with the first step. It’s the same with an
overwhelming task. By the yard it’s hard, but by the inch it’s a cinch.
Have realistic expectations. If you have a large task that’s causing anxiety, do some of the smaller
things related to the task as a whole. Thus the whole becomes manageable.
Get a calendar to list dates and appointments and to make sure you meet all deadlines for both short
and long term goals. Look at your calendar frequently and don’t overbook. White space on your
pages can bring a feeling of peace.
Don’t believe you must do everything perfectly. You’re human and humans make mistakes. That’s
evident if you watch outtakes of a TV show.
Get started. Each day schedule time to work on the task at hand and eventually the task will be
finished. Reward yourself and anticipate that reward as an incentive to work. Go back to work
refreshed.
Allow adequate time to complete your task and don’t panic if you fall behind. Be flexible.
Extensions can usually be had but don’t work with this in mind. Many projects never get done by
feeling you’re the only one who can do it properly. A good leader is one who delegates and has a
Plan B.
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Can Procrastination Ever Be Beneficial?
Procrastination rarely brings us feelings of happiness and delight. On the contrary, it usually fills us
with guilt, stress and depression and we’re perceived as being lazy with no sense of direction. But
can a deferment of actions to a later time, such as better time, be beneficial?
Are we not procrastinating when we adhere to the sage sayings of “haste makes waste” and “when in
doubt, do nothing?” And, we’re told to “think before you speak” or put “mind in gear before opening
mouth.”
Are these not forms of procrastination? Yet, it’s perceptive advice. It’s how we employ these words
of wisdom that makes the difference. If something needs to be done today, don’t put it off until
tomorrow or suffer the consequences…unless this delay is used to our benefit.
Procrastination is said to be poor time management and lack of organizational skills and denotes a
defect in your personality. Some procrastinators are known to be perfectionists but perhaps they just
don’t have the necessary data to perform the required task or duty.
They’re not putting off the task forever but gathering additional information and statistics until they
feel confident to act at an advanced level. It’s not wise to perform unprepared, but use your time
judiciously in becoming competent, careful not to be labeled slacker.
Procrastination, like water, follows a path of least resistance, so there’s no wasted energy or effort.
Many times we procrastinate not because we’re lazy but because of the convolution of the problem at
hand. As we ponder the situation, we can weed out what isn’t important leading us to a better
solution.
Procrastination can teach us discipline, patience and the ability to work better under pressure. While
we ponder we’re searching for a more effective way to do a task, which is a form of time
management. Procrastination prompts subliminal organization.
We can usually decide when to do a task and obtain better results when we act at our opportune
moment. But, we must not unduly delay in determining when it’s to our advantage to seize the
moment.
There are many good reasons for putting things off. Before making an important decision, have you
ever said, “let me sleep on it?” As you retreat into a quiet refuge to think creatively and clear your
mind, solutions become apparent. Time flows persistently like a river but so do your thoughts. They
never cease. Channel them productively.
If procrastination has become your lifestyle, know there are many good reasons for delaying action.
Don’t allow negative feelings to capture your mind. Do your research, assess the problem and begin.
Force yourself to sit and work for at least five minutes and chances are you’ll keep going. Do the
worst first and don’t worry about mistakes. Visualize completion. Procrastination can be one of our
most useful tools but like any good carpenter we must learn to use it well.
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Is Fear and Anxiety at the Root of Your
Procrastination?
Procrastination can manifest itself in many forms and for many reasons. It’s primarily the avoidance
of a task or project that needs to be done usually within a certain timeframe. Few of us have escaped
the clutches of procrastination at one time or another in our life because it’s so easy to succumb to its
seductive ways.
Procrastination has many disguises: television, internet, email, books, household chores, telephone,
sleep and even the excuse of helping a friend. Procrastinators seldom do nothing, but what they do is
hardly useful.
For many the underlying root problem of your procrastination is fear and anxiety.
You feel anxious about a task so you choose to ignore it. This is a serious problem for students who
have many deadlines to meet but it’s also a growing problem for those in the home and workplace.
Fear and anxiety over not completing a task or project leads to procrastination and this in turn causes
more fear of failure. Failure fear is common but some fear success. They feel if they complete the
task successfully it will set the bar too high for future projects.
Students are overwhelmed with an assignment and fear getting a failing grade. They substitute worry
for studying but feel if they fail because of procrastination they’ll be perceived as lacking in effort and
this is more acceptable than lacking in ability. They fear looking stupid.
An interesting side note: College students who procrastinate are usually more prone to drinking,
smoking, insomnia and sickness such as colds and flu. Psychologists say the drinking and smoking are
to ease the pain of fear and anxiety caused by procrastination, which leads to health problems.
We delay finishing a task because we fear criticism, disapproval and negative feedback. We had
rather procrastinate than suffer the fear of shame and embarrassment of unreal expectations.
This expands into fear and anxiety of possible rejection, being criticized and making mistakes. Some
even fear losing freedom and put off committing to a project. Fears are sometimes unconscious and
people deny they suffer from them.
There are many ways to combat fear, anxiety and its offspring procrastination. Realize you have a
choice to succeed or not to succeed. Set realistic goals in small increments and cultivate a sense of
self worth.
Don’t focus on weaknesses. Most fears are unfounded and irrational. Realize you’re working against
yourself, analyze them and move on. Ask yourself the real reason you’re afraid. Be brutally honest.
For some, exercise and deep breathing help.
There is no perfect time to begin. Mark Twain said, “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do
day after tomorrow.” The important thing is to start. Learn as much as you can about your task, take
one step at a time, reward yourself and soon fear and anxiety will disappear.
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Are You Guilty of Chronic Procrastination?
Chronic procrastination is a problem that’s real and is nothing to be laughed at although there are
many jokes about procrastination. Procrastination has caused people to lose jobs, personal
possessions and even their spouse.
But most medical professionals fail to recognize the problem as real, classifying it as simply a bad
habit. It manifests itself in low self-esteem, shame, underachievement and life can become
unmanageable. Many procrastinators also suffer from adult attention deficit disorder but it isn’t
acknowledged as such.
Chronic procrastination grows into a compulsion to avoid existence. It’s addictive and as harmful as
any other addictive drug becoming your drug of choice and your method to circumvent the reality of
life.
It’s a form of escapism. Chronic procrastinators often turn to drugs and alcohol. Drug and alcohol
abusers sometime become procrastinators. So which came first? How do you recognize the
symptoms?
Procrastinators are constantly disappointed in everything. They expect all things to go wrong and are
inwardly happy when they do. Their lives are surrounded by clutter in the home, car and the work
place.
They’re not aware of what’s really needed in their life and seek frivolous things for fulfillment and
instant gratification. It’s hard to say no. They suffer from low self-esteem and are glad someone
needs their help, but rebel by never completing the requested favor.
Procrastinators are late for appointments and have difficulty estimating the amount of time it takes to
arrive at a destination or completing a task. They even resort to tricking their mind by setting their
clock or watch a few minutes ahead.
If you think you’re a chronic procrastinator admit to your problem and make a decision to overcome
it. Seek help. Therapy can be useful to learn new attitudes and overcome fears.
Ask yourself why you’re avoiding the things you dread. Make a list of dreaded activities and what’s
the worse that could happen if you avoid them. You’ll quickly see this could result in dismal
consequences. Also make a list of happy activities and why you would want to do them. Yes, there
are happy activities too.
Time management can help. Stop giving in to activities that waste time. Develop a routine and break
down your daily activities into small steps and tasks. Set a lesser deadline and meet it. Replace your
“have to” with “want to. You don’t have to do anything. You have a choice. But, weigh the
consequences of that choice.
You’re on your way to recovery when you do what you say you will do when you say you will do it.
Success attracts success. Work on things you enjoy even if insignificant. At least the small things are
getting done. Never feel guilty. Never submit to self-defeating mentality. Choose to improve the
quality of your life and a life of quality will choose you.
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