Yesterday you said tomorrow...

Renee Singh

Procrastination is an age old habit with many of us. Many a time we tell ourselves – I will just do it later as there is plenty of time. Before we know it time has flown past and we are pretty much faced with the reality of our incomplete task looming large in our face.

Why do we procrastinate?

Procrastination is actually a way our mind finds of coping with emotions we cannot deal with.We can attribute our procrastinating habit to the following reasons:

1. Routine makes rebellious

2. You fear disapproval

3. Tasks seem overwhelming

Beating procrastination  

Managing time is extremely essential in today’s fast track world. So in order to beat the procrastination mode we need to follow certain rules on our own:

• Most important is to keep a simple organised schedule. Follow the KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid). The more you complicate your tasks the more you start avoiding them.
• Making lists makes you realise what you need to accomplish. This is the most practical way as it leads you to know which are the tasks that need to be handled.
• Once you know what is to be done, put everything in perspective priority wise. For example, paying bills on time, cleaning cupboards, watching your favourite TV show.
• Put everything date wise. This keeps you organised, gives clarity of mind and puts things in perspective.
• Do the easy things first. As you begin to finish the easier tasks first the burden seems to lesson and you find doing the harder things much simpler and easier.

Coping strategies

• Replenish your energies. Mark ways that recharge your inbuilt body mechanism. A feel good factor always keeps you motivated.
• Find your rising star. We each one of us have that one factor that motivates us. Keep that in perspective.

Procrastination only delays all the joyful feelings. Learn to stop procrastinating and walk on the joyous path of a stress free joyous existence. 

(Singh is a Chandigarh-based psychotherapist)