11 Causes and Cures for Procrastination
I wanted to write an article on procrastination, but kept putting it off.
The irony is obvious, but what’s not obvious is why I put it off. So I’ll tell you why — because my life (like yours) is jammed full of responsibilities.
We juggle our jobs, children, marriages, aging parents, and household chores. We pay bills, do laundry, clean the house, and mow the lawn. We battle traffic, buy groceries, and negotiate with associates.
And in the midst of all this chaos, we convince ourselves that none of our varied obligations is so pressing as to require our time right now. In other words, procrastination’s short-term benefit is a feeling of control and peace. We tell ourselves, “I’ll do the laundry tomorrow. Right now, my life is right as rain, and I’m taking a break, thank you very much.”
So take a break. There’s nothing wrong with taking time to read a book, watch television, or chill in your favorite chair while the sun sets outside your beautiful picture window. Just be aware that the feel-good benefits of procrastination can quickly erode into panic.
You’re looking for the sweet spot between procrastination and frenzy, the magic pace at which the assembly line of your life runs smoothly.
Here are 11 common causes of procrastination and corresponding tips to help you find the pace you’re looking for:
- Complicated-task anxiety: Break big, complicated tasks into smaller pieces. Complete a starter task, no matter how small.
- Fear of imperfection: Accept that perfection is rarely attainable and seldom necessary. You’re a person, not a robot. Use the 80/20 rule whenever appropriate.
- Indecision: Determine your decision-making criteria, then set a deadline for your decision. Ask a friend to hold you accountable.
- Priority confusion: Distinguish obligations from options. What are you really responsible for? List and prioritize tasks.
- Boredom from minutiae: Automate simple repetitive tasks whenever possible.
- Lack of focus: Minimize distractions. Check e-mail and voicemail only twice per day instead of every 5 minutes. Find a quiet room where you can concentrate. Resist the urge to keep taking breaks.
- Poor organizational skills: Clean your work area. Put tools and utensils in their proper place so you can find them when you need them.
- Laziness: Remind yourself of the consequences of procrastination. Resist the urge to be a couch potato. Try to complete several small tasks to provide a feeling of accomplishment. Reward yourself.
- Lack of energy: Maintain a regular sleep routine. Eat healthy. Exercise regularly. Do not skip breakfast.
- Early morning lag: Before you stop working each day, make a list of the tasks you want to begin first thing the following morning so you can hit the ground running the next day.
- Post-lunch fatigue: Before leaving for lunch, make a list of the things you plan to do when you get back so you can pick up where you left off. Avoid eating a heavy lunch.
In case you’re wondering, I kept putting off this article because I lacked focus. I finally decided to follow my own advice, shut my office door, stop checking email, and make myself write. As usual, starting was the hardest part.
By taking time to understand your own reasons for putting things off and devoting energy to moving forward, you too can beat procrastination.
May 25, 2007 Friday at 10:54 am
JohnPlace 89 Responses to “11 Causes and Cures for Procrastination”
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[...] John Place | 译者: cooldog111 (Blog) From 译言 之后, 在征得译者同意的情况下, [...]
I learned to overcome procrastination by the delight into throwing it into the face of cyncis. A cynicism is the easiest and most useless activity in the world. A cynic controls you by letting you know how you will fail if you attempt anything. Indeed, I have failed, and also royally screwed up. But boy, have I learned a lot, and with that comes competence, energy, and delight in the act of doing. I love to make those cynics eat crow. They love to say, You’ll never accomplish anything. And then I do. And then I delight in throwing it back at them. Hah! Procrastination is a subset of cynicism. The procrastinor is the cynics victim. I am the thorn in the side of the Cynic, and I love it.
[...] some of the common causes of procrastination are described. If you find them familiar, or a somewhat accurate description of your actions, thoughts and feelings, it is likely [...]
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Hi,
I love this article. It’s funny cuz stubbled upon it while i was procrastinating writting my essay. My question is if you have a lack of focus what are some helpful tips to avoid it? For me I loose focus really easily. when I take my break during studying i come to see there is always a tv show or movie on that i must see or something else that i rather do first. And whenever I make a to do list I get so overwhelmed I never get anything done. I used to be such a good students but this year my grades are really sufferring. Any ideas how I can get my life back on track?
Nikki
It sounds fantastic. The question is – this post is absolutely new and original, isn’t it? It seems to me I’ve saw it somewhere before.
This list is all mine, blob mam. But there’s very little that’s new and original. In fact, I think there’s very little original in the entire blogosphere. My suggestion? Read books.
It’s a great advice I must. I have not tried it yet but I know full well that it will work. Thanks John.
[...] affect the relationships that are important in your life. If you are someone who is affected by anxiety to a debilitating degree, you’ll find that you need to find ways to cope with [...]
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To me procrastination is either being in a period of acting while not acting on another thing and be still and doing nothing.Procrastination is even when the Consciousness is not awake and you don’t see what bothers you and in this you are not even actually aware of what you do,yet it’s become like ancient traditions were to the ancients.They act yet they act on habits not on Consciousness which is Awareness from within.The Kingdom of God is within you so all your solutions and all your difficulties are in there.
Howdy. Only wished to drop you actually a line to allow you know you may have numerous actual spectators in existence.
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hello………….
i really hate procrastination, but i do procrastinate……….how can one stop procrastination……
[...] some time for this one, tomorrow or [...]
Procastination to me is a natural exercise i am aware of what needs to be done but i do procrastinate, but wouldnt want to call it that i just work well under pressure.. have no idea as to how i could stop? been doing t for so long.
“set a deadline for your decision” – Good point! But I seem to overcome procrastination and after sometime… I’m back procrastinating! Why?
[...] 11 Causes and Cures for Procrastination, John Place online – Eleven common causes and tips for procrastination. [...]
Hi, thank you very much for your post. You’ve helped me a lot.
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Advice for integrating all this good advice into daily life? My problem is trying to implement any good “living system” in terms of daily actions or the requirement of the moment.
绝经 出血
Quite an adventure… keep at it man, your almost there, thanks for the read! an
It is my pleasure to read this page,I look forward to reading more.
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Wait, what’s wrong with procrastination? I somehow made it through college that way. I usually only do it nowadays when it comes to paying bills.
It is my pleasure to read this page,I look
This is the commonest disease for many people who fail to beat deadlines with me inclusive.your article has helped me to improve on the following;
enough sleep, getting break fast since I procrastinate due to lack of energy.
Thankyou.
Tks…
This information really helped me, I am sharing with a few friends….
this guy should know to even suggest laziness to a perfectionest is a slap in the face I understand that not all procrastination is from perfection issues but am angered by the thought it is because people are lazy.. lazy people arent procrastinators they are just lazy!
I think the post is good for us.on is from perfection issues but am angered by the thought it is because peop
Okey! m wowed in the sense tht somtymz i feel so loadd wt chores, studies & start to feel a bit weird abt myslf. AND WALLA! I find hanging arnd wt ths animal i’ve com to know 2day calld PROCASTINATION.
I’m procrastinating while reading an article on procrastination…
Great list. I believe that procrastination is not only caused by one factor, example laziness alone. I think it is caused by our bad habits that involve laziness, lack of passion, fear and others.
Great list. I believe that procrastination is not only caused by one factor, example laziness alone. I think it is caused by our bad habits that involve laziness, lack of passion, fear and others.
Just about all of what you mention happens to be supprisingly precise and it makes me wonder the reason why I hadn’t looked at this in this light before. This piece really did turn the light on for me personally as far as this particular subject goes. Nevertheless at this time there is one particular position I am not necessarily too cozy with so whilst I try to reconcile that with the actual main idea of your issue, let me observe what all the rest of your readers have to point out.Well done.