Procrastination: why people procrastinate and how to avoid it

From time to time, each of us puts something aside "for later”, Because there is always something more interesting than current commitments. As a rule, the person does not attach much importance to this, because he hopes that the necessary inspiration will appear towards the end of the task deadline. There are even a number of jokes on this topic.

However, this slowness is just a waste of time. Research in 2015 showed that an average person spends 55 days a year on “postponement”, Spending 218 minutes every day on minor things. The opinion about the need for great willpower for productive activity is erroneous. Each person has a limit to willpower. The human brain is programmed to constantly gratify needs, and small rewards are more tempting at times.

By developing plans, a person builds his future, therefore, all the benefits can be available only in the future. But the present can provide a person with immediate gratification of current desires, forcing the person to put plans aside and just enjoy the moment.

That's why you shouldn't rely on willpower. All you need to do is to understand the root of the problem and gradually begin to develop a productive habit in yourself. There are 5 main reasons for procrastination.

Once you have identified the real cause, you can find a way to stop procrastinating according to the following division:

Type 1: Perfectionist

These are people who pay too much attention to minor details. Perfectionists are afraid to take on tasks because worried about not getting every little thing done right. They can also get stuck in the process, even if they have already started, just because they are afraid to move on.

Perfectionist Advice

Don't let the obsession with every little thing take over time; it is necessary to clearly set a goal and schedule the time for completing each task. This will help you stay focused and within the timeline of the assignment. For example, if you need to write a report, then first you need to clearly define the purpose of the report.

If the goal is a simple statement of changes in a few months, then you should not use a lot of bombastic words, it is better to focus on charts and graphs. But it’s worth making sure that the goal will be achieved, and in fact, there is no need to waste time on items that will not help in achieving the goal.

Type 2: Dreamer / Dreamer

This is a person who likes to draw up an ideal plan more than actions to implement it. These people are very creative, but rarely finish what they start.

Advice to Dreamers

You must not let your imagination take over, you need to "stand firmly on the ground”, Setting specific (and achievable) goals for each day, based on the table of setting goals and objectives: set a goal, break down into small tasks that can be completed immediately.

For example, if a person wants to get up early every day, then it is worth setting a clear task: “In 3 weeks I will get up at 6.30 every day».

from today to go to bed until 11 pm;
set an alarm clock to remind you it's time to sleep;
make an appointment with friends at an earlier time so that you can go to bed early;
during the 1st week, wake up at 7.30 even on non-working days. Go jogging or swimming in the morning on weekends;

… etc.

In this case, it is worth questioning your progress while completing tasks. You need to track the resources and labor costs for each task in order to understand which one is just a waste of time. This fact will help you focus on activities that bring positive results and increase productivity.

Type 3: Evasive

This is a restless person who is afraid to take on tasks for fear of failure. Such people would rather refuse to work than be judged by others for their possible mistakes.

Advice for Dodgers

While checking emails in your mail is attractive, you shouldn't put it first on your to-do list of the day. Typically, the letters are not that important. Instead, spend the morning doing the most difficult tasks first. This will give satisfaction from what has been done and give an impulse for a productive day.

People of this type need to try to break the task down into smaller tasks and understand how much time and energy it actually takes to complete them. In this case, it is worth doing real calculations.

For example, it seems like a 2000 word talk will take a lot of time and effort. :

Introduction: approximately 100 words (15 min.)
Contents (15 min.)
Statement of financial position: graph and 100 words of accompanying text (20 min.)
Metrics analysis: 3 arguments based on a new business model, each with approximately 400 words (approximately 40 minutes for each argument)
Conclusion: approximately 800 words (30 min.)

Type 4: Crisis Maker

Such people deliberately postpone work until the last minute. For them, the deadline (critical moment) is something exciting. They believe they perform better in a limited time frame.

Advice for Crisis Creators

The limitation of time resources and work for wear and tear is just an illusion, because does not provide an opportunity to review the work performed and improve it if necessary.

To avoid such situations, you should try using the "tomato"Developed by the Italian entrepreneur Francesco Cirillo. The method is based on working at the highest concentration for short periods of time with short breaks for recovery in between.

For example, you can use a timer to divide complex work into smaller chunks and take a little rest in between. While intermittent rest can restore energy, being able to finish work ahead of time will provide time to improve. Also check out the article 5 Easy Ways to Get More Done.

Type 5: Fussy

This is the most fussy type of people who have a problem with assigning priorities for tasks, because there are either too many of them (tasks), or such people refuse to work on tasks that are least significant to them. They don't know how to choose the best assignment and just put off choosing.

Advice for the Fussy

Prioritize clearly: important tasks should take precedence over all others. It is necessary to determine the purpose of the task and the expected result.

For example, a client sent an e-mail asking about the progress of a project and asks for a response as soon as possible. At the same time, another task comes to solve a logistic problem that affects all current projects. What should you start with first?

It will take about 5 minutes for the client to respond, but only one client will benefit. The solution to the logistics problem may take longer, but it will benefit the entire company.

Summing up, you can see that almost all of the designated types are associated with the type of thinking. People keep putting off work "for later»Due to certain fears. This is why changing a person's attitude towards work can help solve the problem of procrastination and increase productivity.

Changing your mindset may seem like a lot of work, but by completing small tasks every day, a person will gradually get used to coping with the work: from setting tasks to dividing them and assessing the significance of each task.