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One Technique to Beat Procrastination
Procrastination is one of the biggest problems in this modern world and it has been there since the dawn of civilization. Numerous historical figures like Leonardo Da Vinci, Benjamin Franklin, Herodotus, Eleanor Roosevelt and many others have always pointed out how procrastination is the enemy of results.
One of the greatest leaders of all time, Abraham Lincoln once quoted:
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“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today”
If you want to be a business leader someday then it is important to master the habit of procrastinating or delaying of work. Well, everyone knows that procrastination is harmful because no one wants to run away from their responsibilities. There is no pride in delaying work unnecessarily but still, most people are suffering from this. Procrastinating any work might give satisfaction for short-term but it will make you suffer in the long run.
Cost of Procrastination
One common thing about procrastinators is that all of them have to pay the price of procrastination. A study which was published in the American Psychological Society journal discussed the cost of procrastination which is:
- Depression
- Irrational beliefs
- Low self-esteem
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Regret
Procrastination is not just a child’s behaviour but it is a sign of undisciplined nature. Many researchers have compared the habit of procrastination with the habit of consuming alcohol and drugs.
Procrastination a major problem in youth
Procrastination is a major problem in youth of this world as they struggle in completing their work. Procrastination has synced into the system of our youth and it cannot be shaken easily. Every time you have a goal or an idea, it begins with enthusiasm but gradually it fades away. Whenever you start working on any idea then things like distractions, other opportunities, failure, and negative self-talk will get in your way. And the results will always be the same, you never get anything done.
Procrastinators enjoy putting of work rather than working on it until the pressure of submitting or deadline forces them to work. According to this, if you want to beat procrastination you need self-discipline and self- motivation of doing that particular task. Qualities like self-regulation, self-control and willpower are often overestimated but they are the real key to success.
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We all are geniuses and great leaders like Nikola Tesla, Steve Jobs, Elon Musk in our mind, but when it comes to working we tend to procrastinate it. You cannot avoid delaying of work if you have been a long term procrastinator. Yes, it is difficult to step out of your comfort zone but remember that your real growth is outside of your comfort zone.
The truth is: Procrastination has nothing to do with what you’re trying to do — small or big, it can wait until later.
Destroy Procrastination by Eliminating Distractions
There is a moment between the starting and ending of a task which most experts called “the slope of procrastination” when you get into one distraction and that’s where you lose your productivity.
For example – you start working on a task, you are motivated and fully focused but then you think “let’s check my Instagram feed or let me reply to this person.” Then you think “I should watch one episode one of Stranger Things then YouTube videos” at last you always end up saying that “oh what a waste of time, this will be the last time I am doing this.”
So if you want to beat procrastination you need to avoid all this, simply don’t get into that single distraction. It might sound very simple but the execution is much harder. We often overestimate our willpower that we can resist distractions but unfortunately we are not that mentally strong. If you can realize this you are already better than 90 per cent of the population because most people never understand it.
The best and only way to beat procrastination is to eliminate everything that distracts you until you are working, get into a mental zone of working and it will make your life easier.
Conclusion
Remember that you are in a fight with yourself and to get rid of this harmful habit of procrastination you need to understand that “nothing will help you if you don’t have the inner drive to improve.” People usually overcomplicate simple things, therefore, they are easily confused.
In order to complete any task, you need to have a strong “Why”. If you have a strong reason then the most annoying tasks become bearable. So before you begin any work, wait for a while and think why you are doing it and remove every distraction and you will find yourself more productive.
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