Everyone has delayed a task at some point in their life. But, have you ever wondered why, or others, we postponed? While some see it (in them or in other people) as laziness, there may be something else at stake.
In psychology, it has long been believed that people who postpone time have a bad sense of time, that they believe they will have more time to do something than they actually do. While that may be true for some, more recent research suggests that procrastination is related to the difficulty of managing distress. Specifically, it seems that the aversion to the task is the culprit, that is, when people see a task in an unpleasant way (“It will be difficult, boring, painful …”), they are more likely to postpone it.
While procrastinators try to avoid anguish, this approach can, ironically, cause more long-term anguish. Procrastination can lead to greater stress, health problems and worse performance. Procrastinators tend to have more trouble sleeping and experience more stressful regret than those who do not. What’s more, procrastination can also hinder your self-esteem with guilt, shame or self-deprecating thoughts that can result from postponing tasks.
If you have difficulty postponing things, try one of these tips to get it moving:
- Get Rid Of Catastrophizing
One of the most important reasons why people postpone their offer is because they catastrophist, or make a big deal with something. It may be related to how difficult, boring or painful it will be to complete the task; whatever the case, the underlying theme is that doing the task will be “unbearable.”
Actually, challenges, boredom and hard work will not kill or make you sick. Procrastination, on the other hand, is associated with stress: think about the stress you feel when you avoid making a call that you know you should do. So keep things in perspective: “Sure, this is not my favorite task, but I can overcome it.”
- Focus On Your “Why”
Procrastinators focus more on short-term gains (avoiding the anguish associated with the task), as opposed to long-term outcomes (the stress of not doing so, as well as the consequences of avoiding this task). Instead, try to focus on why you are doing this task: What are the benefits of completing it?
If you have been postponing the cleaning of a closet, imagine that it enters the closet when it is clean and how good it will feel. And consider how much money you will earn from selling items on eBay, or how those in needs will feel when they receive these items as donations.
If you have been avoiding an exercise program, focus on how exercise will help you have more positive energy, boost your self-esteem, and be a great role model for your children.
- Exit Your Calendar
The projects that will be carried out “when I have time” (as in “I’ll do it when I have time”) tend not to be done very often if they do. You must schedule when you are going to work on a project and you block that time, just as you would with an important meeting.
Allot a fixed time when you have to complete your task.
