by Mira Khatib

Created on: October 04, 2010

Putting an End To Putting Things Off

Come on people, we have reached the 21st Century and still we are delaying important tasks. We can go around answering phone calls, sharpening pencils, picking up the laundry, and even have the time to re-arrange the furniture at home. But still the unfinished project due tomorrow still waits to be completed. Of course, you wanted to get to it for weeks, but more important tasks have taken priority. Anyway most of us work best under pressure.

Sounds familiar? Procrastination catches up with us some time or another.

But what causes us to keep delaying deadlines? Indecisiveness, self doubt, poor problem solving, low stamina level, and lack of discipline all contribute to procrastination. But the worst reason is fear – fear of making a mistake of disappointing yourself and others. Some would people rather suffer the consequences of procrastination rather than humiliation of trying and not doing as well as they hoped. The sense of failure, which they fear so deeply, is eased by procrastination.                                                                                          

Of course for some people, they use procrastination to give themselves time to cast back and clarify options; or to help themselves focus on what seems important. Their delay is an ally, and they take better actions because of it. But, if procrastination becomes a habit and becomes part of daily life it interferes with job performance, affect personal and professional relationships, harm career potential, and even may cause depression and anxiety.

Here are a few tips to help you stop delaying,

Think of a strategy

When you feel you’ve got many things to take care of and do, you have to keep in mind not to think of everything at once. Develop a list of priorities and take it a step at a time. As soon as you get organized start with the most important task, that will create the most impact on your work and cross off each task as you've completed it.

Just do it

Try this method; just commit five minutes to a task

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