Procrastination! That horrible word that conjures up all kinds of disappointments, stress and guilt. "Why can't I just get started?" is a common question for many of us. And I'm no exception!
Here's a great example. I got the idea to write this blog about a week ago. And here I am, finally doing it. Okay, it's great that I finally got around to it, but what took me so long? Well, I have a long list of excuses, but for me, there's a difference between excuses and reasons. Excuses tend to be made-up or imagined, whereas reasons tend to be more valid. So I don't think I legitimately have a good reason, only a list of excuses.
You can find all kinds of research on procrastination, including how to stop procrastinating, how to overcome procrastination, and many others. But let's just check out the basics. Merriam-Webster defines procrastination as: "to put off intentionally the doing of something that should be done". They also tell us that the origin of the word "procrastinate" is from the Latin procrastinatus, broken down as pro, meaning "forward", and crastinus, meaning "of tomorrow". So the whole idea is based on putting something off until tomorrow, that could have been done today.
According to two experts on procrastination, Joseph Ferrari, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at DePaul University in Chicago, and Timothy Pychl, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, 20% of all people admit they're chronic procrastinators. That's a whole lot of things not getting done! So that raises the question, "Why do we procrastinate?"
According to two experts on procrastination, Joseph Ferrari, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at DePaul University in Chicago, and Timothy Pychl, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, 20% of all people admit they're chronic procrastinators. That's a whole lot of things not getting done! So that raises the question, "Why do we procrastinate?"
Why Do We Procrastinate?
How to stop procrastinating is actually, at least to me, a fascinating study. Now, I'm no expert, but there are many in the field who can give you all kinds of perspectives on it. So if you're interested in delving deeper into the subject, here are a few ideas for resources:
I particularly like the subtitle of "The Art of Procrastination: A Guide to Effective Dawdling, Lollygagging and Postponing". And that's a pretty good description of procrastination, isn't it? Dawdling, lollygagging and postponing! We've all been guilty of at least one, and probably all, of those three at some time in our lives, haven't we? And I'm sure there's a whole long list of other words you can use in a similar way.
So why, indeed, do we procrastinate? Well, as I've just illustrated, there are all kinds of reasons and excuses. But here are a few reasons that come to mind:
- Fear of failure
- Fear of success
- Laziness
- Boredom
- Lack of priority management
- Need for perfection (sort of like fear of failure)
- Self sabotage
- Strict child rearing (also associated with fear of failure)
Now those are just a few of, as I mentioned, many reasons why we procrastinate. The first step to take in learning how to stop procrastinating is to identify how many of those reasons apply to you. Sit down and give it some serious thought. Figure out what's stopping you from taking that first step, from picking up that pen, from turning on that computer, from cleaning that first room, from washing that first floor. Again, I'm only touching the very tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the things we tend to put off when we should be doing them.
How To Stop Procrastinating
So now that we've identified why we're not doing what we're supposed to be doing, the next logical step is to come up with a plan on how to stop procrastinating. Let's look at the example of this blog and how I put it off for a week. Putting aside the fact that I'm having some bothersome health issues, there really aren't any good reasons why I didn't just get started. Today, my health issues haven't changed, and yet I'm writing the blog. What's the difference?
For me, I probably suffer from the fear of failure because I'm a perfectionist. I want everything I do to be the best and I sometimes tend to worry about what others might think. Now that is a very important point. If you're going around always worrying about what others think of you, then you're never going to move forward. Here's a wonderful statement I used to turn this negativity around: "What you think of me is none of my business." What's important is what you think of yourself and what you do and who you are. If you're confident that you're a good person, then who cares what somebody else thinks. What they think is based on what's usually their own insecurities, not on you. So just consider the source and ignore it.
Now that you're feeling confident and energetic, you can move ahead and start your project, whatever it may be. It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be done. Did you get that? It's worth repeating:
It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be done.
Now the above conditions are some that tend to drive us to procrastination. I've looked at the list and I've identified with those that apply to me, and I've come up with a solution to the challenge of how to overcome procrastination. You can do the same, you know. It's not rocket science. It CAN be done! You CAN do it! Remember what Henry Ford said: "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't - you're right."
Here's another quick thought to get your mind going in the right direction: Your thoughts are the building blocks of your future. Henry Ford referred to what you think, and he was right! What you think defines what you experience. There's another one worth repeating:
What you think defines what you experience.
So take your To-Do List and start checking off those items. Can you imagine how you'll feel when you mark them off as done? Won't you feel a great sense of accomplishment? Won't you feel wonderful? Of course you will! And that's what life is all about, right? - feeling wonderful; feeling joy; feeling peace of mind.
I have a sign I made and posted on the top of my computer screen. It says in big red letters:
Just do it!
So go ahead, take a deep breath, and dive into your project. Believe me, you'll be glad you did!
Here are some other resources to help you along the way. And above all, have fun!
Here's a great idea to keep your mind on the right path - a French Crystal Medallion to put on your desk right in front of you:
Recommended Reading
Here are a couple of books to help you organize your time and your life:
And here's one of my favorites, a classic from Brian Tracy: (Click on the link) Eat That Frog! 2nd Edition: 21 great ways to stop procrastinating, improve organization skills, and get more done in less time, By Brian Tracy
Have fun with the getting it done!
