What is procrastination?

It has probably happened to you on more than one occasion: you have an important, sometimes urgent, task waiting, but instead of getting started you decide to do something else like checking your social media, making a coffee, or organising your sock drawer. This very human behaviour has a name: procrastination. But what is it exactly? 
 

Procrastination: what it means and how it affects your everyday life

Procrastination, which is often confused with laziness, is the habit of putting off tasks that you need to do and replacing them with others that are more enjoyable or easier in the short-term. So despite what one might think, procrastination is not just about being lazy, it goes deeper. It is actually a way of avoiding the discomfort caused by certain responsibilities. In short, you know what you have to do… but even so, you still put it off for later. 

Main causes of procrastination

We have all put off an important task at some time, but procrastination does not just appear out of nowhere. Behind this habit are various psychological, emotional and even lifestyle factors that influence the way you manage your time. Procrastination, therefore, arises from some causes that are helpful to understand: 

• Perfectionism. Sometimes you may delay tasks because you are afraid of not doing them “well enough”.
• Lack of motivation. In some cases, the task is not appealing to you or you don’t fully understand its purpose, so you tend to put it off for another time. 
• Poor time management. Often, if you don’t know how to start a task, you end up doing nothing at all. 
• Fear of failure (or even success). On some occasions when faced with certain situations, that initial mental block can prevent you from moving forward. 
• Mental overload. Having too many pending tasks makes it harder for you to decide on which one choose. 

How can you stop procrastinating? Some practical tips

By this point, the question is clear: How do you stop procrastinating? The good news is that you can train yourself to break free from this unproductive pattern of behaviour. Here are some simple and effective strategies for you to try: 

• Break the task up into small steps. What appears to be an insurmountable mountain can be turned into a series of easy-to-climb steps.  
• Apply the five-minute rule. Commit to working for just five minutes. Often, once you get started on the task, you will keep going without any problem. 
• Eliminate distractions. To do this, focus on three key aspects: keep your mobile on silent, turn off notifications and keep your workspace clear and organised.  
• Use the two-minute rule. If something is going to take less than two minutes, do it straight away. 
• Reward yourself. After you complete the task, treat yourself (a coffee, a walk, or a little leisure time).
• Prioritise and organise. A good trick is to use lists or planners to visualise what is important or urgent.

Procrastination is not a flaw. It’s a sign that you sometimes need motivation, clarity or simply a break. The key is to recognise when you are procrastinating and to be able to put strategies into practice that help you to get back on track with ease.