Are you delaying something important right now? Are you scrolling through social media instead of finishing that essay? Don't worry, you're not alone. Procrastination is something that affects us all at some point in our lives.
Understanding procrastination
Procrastination is a complex behaviour that is rooted in our psychology. It's not just about being lazy or lacking motivation. Some of the reasons we procrastinate include:
- Fear of failure. Sometimes, we procrastinate because we're afraid of failing. We have high expectations and worry that we won't be able to meet them. As a result, we put off starting a task because we're afraid of not completing it perfectly.
- Lack of interest. If a task doesn't interest us, we're less likely to prioritise it. We find ourselves procrastinating because we don't see value in the task, or it doesn't align with our personal goals.
- Perfectionism. Some of us are perfectionists and want everything to be just right. This leads to procrastination because we spend too much time planning or overthinking the task, rather than starting it.
- Being overwhelmed. Sometimes, a task can seem so overwhelming that we don't know where to start. This leads to procrastination because we don't want to face the task, or we feel we don't have the skills or resources to complete it.
What increases the risk of procrastination?
- Lack of structure: one of the main reasons people procrastinate is because they don't have a clear structure or plan for what they need to do. Without a clear plan of action, it’s easy to get distracted and delayed.
- Distractions: getting sidetracked is a major cause of procrastination. Whether it's social media, gaming, or your phone, there are endless distractions that can keep you from focusing on your work.
- Lack of motivation: when we are unmotivated, it can be difficult to get started on a task. We may feel like we don't have the energy or enthusiasm to what needs to be done.
10 tips to help you stop procrastination and improve productivity
With some of the common causes identified, the next step is to look for simple strategies on how to avoid procrastination:
- Set realistic goals. Unrealistic expectations can lead to frustration and procrastination. Make sure your goals are achievable and break them down into smaller tasks.
- Start with the hardest task first. This may sound counter-intuitive but starting with the hardest task gives you a sense of accomplishment and makes the rest of your tasks seem easier.
- Eliminate distractions. Identify things that divert your attention and remove or minimise them. For e.g., if social media disrupts your focus, turn off your phone or use an app that blocks access to social media platforms.
- Reward yourself. Give yourself a reward after completing a task or reaching a goal. It could be something small like having a treat or spending half an hour on TikTok.
- Take breaks. Taking regular breaks helps prevent burnout and keeps you motivated. Make sure, however, that your breaks are not too long or too frequent, or they may turn into procrastination sessions.
- Set a deadline. Setting a deadline gives you a sense of urgency and helps you prioritise your tasks. Make sure the deadline is realistic and hold yourself accountable for meeting it.
- Time management. Look for ways to work towards overcoming procrastination and managing time.
- Identify your most productive hours: everyone has a time of day when they are most productive. For some, its early mornings, and others, it's late at night. Identify your most productive time and schedule important tasks during that time.
- Use a time-tracking tool: monitoring your time is a helpful way to stay focused and avoid procrastination. There are many online time-tracking tools available, both free and paid versions, that help you manage the amount of time you spend on each task.
- Plan your day ahead: one of the most effective ways to avoid procrastination is to plan ahead. At the end of each day, take a few minutes to create a to-do list for the next day. This will help you stay focused and ensure you are working on the most important tasks.
- Learn to say "no": refusing can be difficult, especially if you like to help others. However, saying "yes" to everything leads to overcommitment and makes it difficult to stay on track. Learning to say "no" helps you prioritise your time and prevents procrastination.
- Take advantage of helpful resources:
- Use a productivity app: productivity apps help you stay organised, focused and they help you keep track of tasks, deadlines, and progress.
- Read self-help books: self-help books are a great resource for improving time management skills and avoiding procrastination. Some popular options include "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey, and "Getting Things Done" by David Allen. These books offer practical tips and strategies for improving productivity and staying on track.
- Break tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces. Use the Pomodoro technique, a time management method that involves breaking work into 25-minute intervals, separated by short breaks. This can help you stay focused and prevent distractions.
- Work with a friend. Working with someone and holding each another accountable is a great way to stay motivated and on-track. You can check-in with each other regularly to provide motivation and support and make sure you both have completed the agreed upon tasks
Keep in mind that everyone procrastinates from time to time, but using the right strategies and having the right mindset will help you become more productive and achieve your goals, especially if you are planning on pursuing higher education studies. You will have to be disciplined and a big part of that is knowing how to manage your time and remain focused.
The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) is South Africa’s largest registered and accredited private provider of higher education. At Varsity College, an educational brand of The IIE we understand that no two students are the same or learn the same. That’s why we make sure a student’s education is shaped around them; how they like to learn, what they are passionate about, what makes them tick, and what makes them thrive. Our Education by Design approach allows students to grow into their best, and creates a space where they can live, learn and play – their way.