The modern rhythm of life dictates its own rules. To become successful, you have to work hard, learn new things and keep up with everything. A procrastinator is a person who wants to, but for a number of reasons does not do even the most necessary things. This becomes a real problem that interferes not only with work, but also with a good rest.
The essence of procrastination
The phenomenon of procrastination itself has long been known. Many great figures of the past, especially creative personalities, were famous for their inability to competently organize their activities. However, only at the end of the last century, scientific psychologists and sociologists began to closely study this phenomenon.
A procrastinator is a person who constantly puts off all matters, despite their urgency and importance. Engaged in small, insignificant things or endlessly brings to perfection, polishing every little thing.
Such behavior is most characteristic of young people who have recently begun independent steps in life. Many over time overdo the stage of procrastination. However, about a quarter of adults continue to indulge in addiction.
Perfectionism and procrastination - what is common?
The "perfectionist-procrastinator" type is very common . This is a person who is so keen to do everything perfectly that he often does not even start. He understands that there will not be enough strength, time, resources. And for less than impeccability - I do not agree.
Another option of the procrastinator-idealist - trying to do as best as possible, the performer begins to endlessly grind small details. Moreover, he often does not do all the work as a whole, but prefers to perfect the initial part. As a result, time and effort was spent, but the work was never done.
In itself, the desire to do the job well and quality is commendable. Problems begin when the focus of attention shifts from the word “deed” to the word “faultless”. The ideal is unattainable, and this knowledge paralyzes the will of the procrastinator. Why start if the result is at best just good?
Why procrastinators can't stop putting off
So why do procrastinators procrastinate? After all, it is obvious that if you postpone some important matter, sooner or later you will have to disentangle the consequences. Either finish the project in a hurry, or disgrace and lose trust, respect, money.
It should be remembered that a procrastinator is a person who simply cannot take and stop putting things off for tomorrow. This is due to the peculiarity of our brain. If there is a difficult or unpleasant business ahead, he helpfully throws up the idea of how to remove momentary anxiety. One must not do what one does not want.
Despite the simplicity of this approach, an avid procrastinator is well aware of the consequences of his actions. And his pseudo-rest is overshadowed by future retribution. It turns out that a person, on the one hand, does not work at full strength, and on the other hand, does not rest normally. Time is wasted.
The procrastinator cannot just stop and start work. Most often, the reason is the inability to structure your time. Very often they take on big things without understanding their essence. And having faced the first difficulties, they give in, put off for later, “gather with thoughts”.
Another problem that any great procrastinator faces is the inability to plan. His plan often looks too general. Blurred in start and end times and overworked.
How to deal with procrastination
The bad habit of putting everything off spoils life and makes it less vivid. A procrastinator is a person who not only does not know how to work, but also cannot rest normally. After all, his thoughts are always overshadowed by knowledge of delayed matters.
Once a procrastinator decides to start a fight against a bad habit. And most often defeats. The fact is that the phenomenon of postponement for later is often confused with ordinary laziness. But these concepts are not identical. If laziness can be defeated by a simple effort of will and external motivation, then this is not enough to defeat procrastination.
The problems that procrastinators cannot get to work or finish the job through are much deeper than mere reluctance. Most often, these are different forms of fear, coupled with the inability to prioritize. So it is necessary to eliminate not the consequence, but the cause.
First of all, you need to figure out what is the reason for the delay, what kind of fear fetters action. It can be anything - from the fear of not doing perfectly enough to doubts about your competence.
It is worth identifying and working out your fears and only after that proceed to the next stage - to learn how to properly plan activities. Most procrastinators make lists brilliantly. But most often this is the end of the matter.
The main problem is the lists of procrastinators are too general and voluminous. We must learn to break up all the cases into small and even the smallest details. Then any, even the most difficult work will become easy, understandable and accessible.
Is there any hope?
Is it possible to once and for all get rid of the habit of putting everything off, or are most procrastinators hopeless? This question haunts young people. And those who have already passed the stage of overcoming, confidently declare that everything is possible.
We must move gradually. It will not work in one fell swoop to get rid of a long-standing habit. But with due diligence, competent introspection and a small effort of will, procrastination can be defeated.