We are all guilty of procrastinating because getting things done is hard work, and not nearly as much fun as doing nothing or focusing on the "Easy Things". Right?
We are creatures of habit which includes resisting hard work, because it translates into discomfort and maybe even pain so we stay in our comfort zone.
We might have to move our bodies and put in an effort, concentrate and focus to get certain tasks done. So we resist.
These walls of resistance manifest in a simple but costly form in our lives: Procrastination.
But here’s the irony, procrastinating is actually harder on you over time than overcoming your resistance to doing the perceived unpleasant work. Why?
Because procrastination can cause fatigue, stress and anxiety. It can leave you feeling empty and dissatisfied with yourself. It makes you feel guilty and nags you like an annoying fly in your bedroom in the middle of the night.
On the other hand, completing a task elevates you to higher levels of true happiness, gives you a sense of accomplishment and motivates you to complete the next task.
Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task. ~William James
Why we procrastinate?
Tomorrow, in a minute, later and soon are phrases people use to avoid tasks!
Procrastination can be a beast for many people, a beast who is always around and has a large shadow! You can't avoid the beast but you do your best to ignore him as he continues to linger. It's torture for many people similar to a nightmare.
So the question is, why do you continue to live with it?
1. When you don't know how to do the task, don't have the tools and have no idea where to start the easiest course of action is to come up with excuses. Looking for a solution or finding suitable ways to get the job done seems overwhelming and time consuming so it's easier to procrastinate by avoiding the task at hand. That's how the beast comes into your life. Instead of doing the task you should be doing you do everything to avoid it.
2. If it's not a task that needs to be done NOW you tell yourself that it's not a priority. You convince yourself that it's not your job and maybe even tell yourself it's someone else's. You don't take the time to go through the rationale of why the task should be done or what might happen if you don't do it? You don't even consider future consequences that could affect you?
You determine that procrastinating won't cause any trouble for you so the beast isn't that huge and you are confident that you will get along with him.
3. No commitment to do the job! When there isn't a commitment that speaks to your integrity you don't feel a responsibility toward the task. Your integrity isn't implicated, therefore, there is no motivation to push you toward doing something about it. You feel no obligation so you don't bother to take action.
4. You are a Perfectionist !!! Although being a perfectionist can at times play in peoples favor it could also cost them as they seek perfection by procrastinating on moving forward with many tasks. This involves going over every aspect of a project several times to make sure that everything is perfect. Each and every detail has to be reviewed several times turning a small task into a huge project. As you plan your project the beast appears to justify the delay of getting it done.
We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret and disappointment. ~ Jim Rohn
The question to ask yourself, which one will I choose?