What is procrastination? Is it a diagnosis or just a fancy word for being lazy? The best and simple definition for procrastination says that it’s a form of behaviour characterized by postponing obligations for later. Does that sound familiar?
Don’t worry. You are not the only one! As many as 95% of people procrastinate to some degree. Humans are inclined to delay complex tasks for some other time, whether at work or in daily life. But what’s important is to be able to recognize that this behaviour may not only affect your life but may also cripple your business and prevent you from achieving your goals.
The problem arises when procrastination happens so often and becomes so widespread that the obligations are never fulfilled, they only pile up. In entrepreneurship, this usually occurs as a reaction when you do not fully understand how to move forward or when you feel that you are not ready or capable.
This behaviour alone can lead to other behaviours that will distract you from the obligation, such as watching too much TV or eating out of comfort. Both will make you feel better short term, but the feeling of guilt will take over. It’s a vicious circle that, believe it or not, there is a way out of. Here we talk about causes of procrastination, how it affects your business and ways to overcome it.
Causes of procrastination
Is procrastination laziness? Being lazy is a lack of motivation, but luckily procrastination is something different, but not necessarily better. When you are being lazy, you choose to rest and don’t do what you have to do. But when you are procrastinating, you look for other activities that will “replace” the tasks you are supposed to do. Then you postpone for tomorrow, the next day or for Monday.
The causes of procrastination are different, but the most common are:
Fear of failure
Fear of failure or a potentially bad outcome is the most common reason for procrastination. “I won’t ask for a higher price because I’m sure they won’t be able to afford” I better stay with the same rate, and I’ll try later when circumstances change.” If this is you, it’s time for a change. The fear of failure is not only a big obstacle in further progress in business but in life too. Fear of taking a new job, fear of going to a doctor, fear of socializing, and the list goes on.
Fear of success
Believe it or not, fear of success is real and as paradoxical as it may sound, it can affect a person as much as the fear of failure. This is a valid reason for procrastination, and it will cripple your business one way or the other. So, if you are afraid to succeed because more will be expected of you in the long run, it’s time to work on it. This has a lot to do with confidence and self-worth. So you have to find ways to boost your confidence and realize that you are able to cope with any new circumstances that will rise ahead of you.
Perfectionism
If you think that perfectionism is a virtue and motivating factor in life, you are wrong. While it’s perfectly normal to strive for perfection, when things don’t work out perfect, you will be looking at many unfinished tasks. The reason for postponing the obligations often happens because you convince yourself that you can’t do better than that.
Overcoming procrastination
Luckily, the habit of procrastination can be broken. Follow these strategies to overcome procrastination for good. But first, you need to determine which of the causes lies in its basis. Then, acknowledge the problem and make an effort in overcoming it.
Plan your work
Making a plan to follow and work from is a great start! Write down what are the results you want to achieve. Then, break that further down into bigger or smaller parts of your goal. It always helps when you have a plan. Next, create a weekly schedule, and try to complete as many tasks as soon as possible. This leaves you with some free time to do whatever you want and enjoy your free time without guilt.
Concentrate
If you feel pressured by time and other factors, it’s difficult to get the job done. Especially if the consequences for a job not finished are harsh. I know staying concentrated and focused on the job is much easier said than done, but it’s the key to successful completion. If you are entirely focused on your task, there is less chance of being distracted or delaying your work. So disconnect your electronics and get down to business.
Balance Work and Life
Having and running your own business can get really hard sometimes. But a little procrastination will actually help you stay sane and healthy in the long run. Even if you have projects with deadlines, it’s important to take a break when it’s all too much and do something else instead.
Get some exercise, go for a long walk or a jog, get some sleep or spend quality time with family and friends. Postponing a task to do any of these will create a healthy work-life balance that will positively impact your health, both physical and mental. And when you are healthier, you are happier. You also have more energy which helps you be mentally prepared to tackle any projects that come your way when you go back to work.
These are just a few of the many strategies that can help you overcome procrastination. Remember, it’s important to determine the cause of your procrastination so you can find the right approach to address the issue.