What causes Procrastination?

    To some extent we all are lazy. We delay completing our task until it starts taking a toll on us. The word ‘Procrastination’ is getting popular among youth these days, either represent themselves as witty or sardonic. Procrastination simply means delaying tasks until the last minute of time or deadline. We all procrastinate at some point of time and later regret doing so.

    The psychology of procrastination involves a mechanism. When we have to accomplish something we rely on our self-control mechanism to prepare ourselves to do it. Our motivation supports our self-control helping us to complete tasks timely. Along with motivation, we also experience de-motivating factors simultaneously, such as fear of failure, apprehension of committing mistakes, etc. In addition to this, we also experience hindering factors such as the thought of rewards in future, which intrude with our self control and motivation. When the combination of hindering and de-motivating factors overpowers the combination of self-control and motivation, we fall into the trap of procrastination. As long as the combination of self-control and motivation is more than hindering and de-motivating factors, we are able to complete our work timely.

    The most common factor causing procrastination includes:

• Lack of motivation – our urge to procrastinate is high when we feel less motivated. It could be intrinsic or extrinsic.
• Anxiety – people often feel anxious and overwhelmed about the tasks that they are required to complete. As a result they indulge in procrastination.
• Task Aversion – there are certain tasks which we refrain from. As a result, we delay our work.
•  Abstract Goals- procrastination is high in absence of concrete and clear goals.
•  Rewards in the upcoming the future – knowledge of rewards which we get in future gives us both – pleasure and procrastination.
• temporal disjunction,
•  attention to future options – when we are well aware of future options or outcomes,
• Optimism about the future – unrealistic optimism about future leads to anxiety and eventually delays of tasks.
•  Perfectionism – people tends to procrastinate more when they perceive themselves as perfect and they end up taking actions at right point of time.
• Fear of negative feedback – we are inclined to procrastinate when we develop apprehension about negative evaluation or negative feedback.
• Self sabotage – we often procrastinate and hinder our growth by indulging in excessive self defeating behaviour.

          As every lock has its key, the problem of procrastination also comes with its solutions. We need some concrete steps to transit from Mr. Lazy to Mr. Responsible which are as follows:

1. Prepare a to-do list to simplify and keep a track on your tasks so you can manage your time effectively.  It helps us to stay organized and work with objectivity.
2. Take baby steps by breaking a large goal into smaller and manageable goals. The jigsaw puzzle of small goals helps us complete our assignment bit by bit without any hindrance.
3. Pay attention to the thoughts and urges of procrastination. Extend your limit by pushing yourself towards your goal by telling yourself that you need to become master of your mind.
4. Reduce distracting elements such as instagram, facebook, snapchat, etc. we can take a positive step by turning off the source of distraction.
5. On completing a task, pat and reward yourself by indulging in some relaxing activities.