How to avoid procrastination – the thief of time

Cover photo: Brett Jordan on Unsplash

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“Procrastination is one of the most common and deadliest of diseases and its toll on success and happiness is heavy.” Wayne Gretzky

Life is about decisions, decisions, decisions, whether it’s approaching or dodging something, which is totally fine. The issue comes when you intend to take action, but you do nothing or keep neglecting your duties until the deadline is about to expire, causing stress. 

Procrastination is the action of unnecessarily and voluntarily delaying or postponing something despite knowing that there will be negative consequences. Everybody is familiar with this concept. At the moment this word is mentioned, the first thing that springs to mind is laziness. 

But the reluctance to act is not about idleness. Being lazy is not the determining factor behind delaying tasks. It is a cocktail of causes. 

Have you considered that postponing your tasks is simply because they are not what you really want to do or that the environment is playing against yourself? 

In recent years, studies have shown that task aversion is based on the stage of the project. For example, in the early stages, aversion is commonly due to a lack of personal meaning – motivation. In the action phase, procrastination is often an absence of structure – plan. 

Let’s explore in brief the best ways to outwit procrastination.

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The Journey analogy 

Let’s pretend you want to travel somewhere. 

Ask yourself these questions: “Is the final destination worth going to? Does it matter if I make it there? If the answer is yes for both questions, then your goal is meaningful to you. 

On holidays, you know where to go and what is needed to arrive in that place. For the beach, you pick up sunscreen, bathing suit, sandals, shorts, etc. On the contrary, going on an excursion requires pants, long socks, insect repellent, map, a tent, and so forth.  

Bottom line, you get prepared depending on the place. 

Under this premise, how ready are you to achieve your objective? Do you have any plan or idea of the difficulties you might encounter? If so, through what means will you overcome them? 

Let’s see how.

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Choose your gold chest 

1- Pick a treasure worth chasing, from anything related to your job or family to personal growth. Give it some thought. 

2- Set up a plan to reach your target.

To this aim, companies create contingency plans. You need one since for certain you will come across hurdles along the way.

This is the structure needed to avoid procrastination. It is something like: “If I run into obstacle X, thus I perform action Y.”

By doing this, you very much increase the chances of overcoming any obstacles, including your own doubts, criticism, or apathy. Furthermore, a plan discourages procrastination, as it makes you feel more competent. 

When you have a shot in achieving any goal, and on top of that, you’re braced for everything you can face while going for it, you rarely procrastinate. 

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How to make a lengthy and arduous journey easier? 

Assuming your target is distant in time and space, it’s hard to be always inspired while getting there. You might experience demotivation or frustration once in a while, so it’s vital to come up with a strategy to keep the flame alive. 

Small rewards are the answer, as with video games (that’s why they are addictive). Each move, any rung climbed, and every level should be celebrated as an accomplishment. 

And the best method is by breaking down your goal into the smallest practical targets – baby steps. Even if it’s a long way to the top, this approach keeps you motivated and procrastination at bay. 

In a similar fashion, if you wish to be fit, start walking for 5 minutes. Later on, add extra time plus new routines — no pressure. 

Take into account that motivation is temporary, but discipline is permanent. Commit to do your bit daily. Repetition after repetition. 

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In a nutshell

1- As the first point, pick your gold chest, the one worth pursuing. It must be clear, not vague. The SMART model can help recognise your specific goal. 

2- Following, create a plan for the journey and a contingency plan to overcome potential obstacles in the road – even if you are one of them. 

3- Subsequently, break down your objective into the tiniest possible baby steps and devote to working on them on a daily basis. 

Test all these points with any worthwhile goal you have an eye to, still a little one, and see how effective they are. 

Procrastination is the thief of time, leads to failure, and typically focuses on the hurdles while making simple things hard, and hard things harder. 

Break the spirit of procrastination by being well-organised and disciplined. 

So, what are you waiting for? Start creating your plan. 

“Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do.” Proverbs 6:4