Don't Put It Off TOO Long

Everyone procrastinates.

If you’ve ever found yourself cleaning the kitchen or folding the laundry instead of working on a project with a looming deadline, or making that phone call you really didn't want to make, odds are you're procrastinating.

In fact, even by browsing on WOMAN.ca right now, you're probably putting something else off!

Here are some common reasons for procrastination and strategies to eliminate procrastination. If you find yourself saying any one of the following phrases to yourself, its about time you get serious about your time-wasting habit!

1. “I Make Mountains Out of Mole-Hills”
A project, no matter how simple or complex it may be, always looks a lot more challenging to a procrastinator. In the face of panic, it's important to remember that something big can always be broken down into smaller, more digestible parts. So, when a project that seems overwhelming, break it down into smaller components and tackle each component individually.  As you complete each smaller part, you’ll be that much closer to completing the entire task.

2. “There’s Always Something Better To Do”
Procrastinators always have an alternative solution to what they could be doing instead of fixing the plumbing, studying for a test, renewing the lisence. Tasks that are viewed as being unpleasant are also often the victim of procrastination. These same people will tackle a task they find enjoyable at a moments notice, but will consistently delay working on tasks that are less appealing. Some stuff though just needs to get done, and no one else will do it for you.  Have a reward system for yourself for every unpleasant task you complete on time. But really, the reward will be in completing the tasks.

3. “I Have Problems Prioritizing”
Someone ever told you to ‘get your priorities straight?’ A procrastinator is incapable. Those who cannot view the tasks at hand and place them into different categories based on their level of importance sometimes have difficulty getting anything done because they are constantly switching from one task to another or trying to decide what to do next. Try making a list of all of your tasks and ranking them in order of importance. Then set a goal of completing a certain number of tasks in the next four hours. After four hours evaluate your progress and reassess the situation based on the remaining tasks.

4. “I Can’t Make A Decision If My Life Depended On It”
The inability to make decisions also contributes to procrastination. Many people simply spend too much time trying to make decisions about their projects. While it is important to weigh your options carefully and make informed decisions, too much time spent wastefully trying to make a decision can cause a significant delay for a project. To avoid this potential problem, set aside some time each day specifically for the purpose of making decisions and set a timeline for yourself to complete the decision making process. This will encourage you to use your time wisely and reach a decision in a timely manner.

5. “Why Would I Try? I’ll Probably Fail”
A fear of failure also causes some people to procrastinate. Some people will subconsciously delay the completion of the project because they are nervous about the reaction that their project will elicit. One way to combat this type of procrastination is to visualize yourself succeeding in the project and imagine the steps that you will need to take in order to succeed. Once you have visualized the steps, it is time to act on them.

6. “I Can’t Help It! I Have A.D.D.”
Distractions are a major cause of procrastination. Sometimes the temptation to engage in conversation with your coworkers, play games or do other non-work related tasks can be sources of procrastination. Setting up your workspace to minimize distractions and scheduling time to converse with your coworkers will help to prevent procrastination and keep your project on schedule.
 

Image from MorgueFile

Hilary Lauren Fox
		About the author:
		Sometimes she's a redhead, sometimes she's a blonde. Some days it's H&M, and on other days, it's Chanel. What ever the mood, she is a woman who is passionate about the arts, fashion and social media. Born in Toronto, Hilary Lauren Fox is an only child to artist parents - mom was an illustrator and pattern maker, dad was a painter.  Rather then studying the arts as her parents hoped for, Hilary opted for a degree in psychology with dreams of working in a clinical setting. But after graduating she realized that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and that the arts was in her blood, applying her education within the art and fashion world.
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