Procrastination is a personal problem. Mine. I’ve struggled with it all my life, expert at putting things off until the last minute.
I know I have company in the procrastinator trap. Why do we do it? We may be afraid of failure…or success. One of the biggest causes of procrastination is perfectionism, or wanting a perfect outcome. And since perfection isn’t possible, we sometimes tell ourselves, why start? Maybe we worry we won’t measure up to the challenge, or the task seems too hard, or we lack self-discipline. Some (not me) think they’re so good that they can simply “wing it” at the last moment, like an unprepared speaker.
The consequences of procrastination are significant. We don’t meet our personal goals, then feel guilty, frustrated, or disappointed in ourselves. Self-confidence shrinks. Anxiety or panic may set in as the potential crisis looms, increasing our stress. Over a lifetime, some women find that they face the future unprepared financially, physically, or spiritually as they kept putting off important decisions and actions.
Some tips for overcoming procrastination came from my friends:
Know your life rhythms. As author Leanna said, “You can’t force yourself to behave in ways you will not. Pick a time of day when you know you’re the most productive.”
Follow your passion. “The thing that helped me was the undying love and need to tell the story of my father. It was its own entity, more powerful than procrastination,” said Leanna.
Outsmart yourself. “I set a deadline with some sense of rationale for it,” Beth said. “Once I hit a limit or deadline, I kick in.”
Inventory your activities. Beth also found, “Repeated procrastination on the same thing is often a sign that you shouldn’t continue with that activity. Review responsibilities, redefine your goals, and pass off duties that you truly don’t care about.”
Yes, procrastination is a personal problem but you can take action to overcome it.
by Kathleen Vestal Logan, MS, MA July 30, 2018
(excerpt from Women’s Wisdom: Pass It On! by Kathleen Vestal Logan, pp. 94-96)