You have a million projects and deadlines due all for the same unrealistic date, and you find yourself hysterically panicking on the inside. So you do what any normal person would do – you procrastinate! I don’t know about you, but this my standard go to during stressful busy times: “I just can’t human right about now, so, I’m going to do something completely random like fold towels instead.”

This always happens to me, for as long as I can remember, I feel overwhelmed by my workload, hysterically panic and try to distract myself by doing something else as a means of escaping from all the mental and emotional anxiety. Two weeks ago I had a lot of work admin to finish, and it all seemed to be due for the same date – by the way, why does that always happen? Just as I would sit down to start on my work, I would find myself after ten minutes getting up to make some tea, or scrolling through social media. Ten minutes turned into half an hour, which then turned into a couple of hours, which then turned into days (thank goodness not years) Which meant I would hustle last-minute in those closing hours to meet my deadline.

I then dramatically vowed to myself that I would never ever do that again. As it was far too stressful for my little heart to bear. Little did I know that to overcome the habit that is procrastination would require constant effort and the retraining of my brain and thought patterns. This was by no means an easy task, and because I am only two weeks into my “no procrastination journey”, I am still learning as I am going.

Here are some interesting things that I have learnt personally, and via extensive research, on everything pertaining to the artful deception that is procrastination.

Signs of procrastination

  • Stopping and starting, and multitasking between other work, and never truly finishing any of them off.
  • Constantly checking emails, or social media.
  • Wanting to do anything and everything but the actual task at hand.
  • Telling yourself that : “you can do it later, or do it tomorrow.”
  • Saying things like “I’m too tired, I will feel more motivated if I have coffee or go to gym or see a friend.”
  • Basically procrastination makes any excuse not to do the work right then and there, it’s the constant putting off of work until the very last-minute. Which in turn causes unnecessary stress.

Why do we procrastinate?

  • Feeling overwhelmed by the task at hand
  • Uncertain of what is expected of you
  • Afraid to make a mistake
  • Easily distracted
  • Wanting to avoid anxiety and stress
  • Too much work all due for the same time

How to curb those procrastination habits

  • Break down each task from the most important all the way down to the least important.
  • Assign each task with a level of priority and due date.
  • Break down every task into attainable goals.
  • Eliminate all possible distractions.
  • Have a daily to-do list.
  • Take breaks in-between, know your concentration space and know when to let your brain rest. But be careful to not let yourself get too distracted with long breaks that could lead to further distraction and procrastination.