We’ve all been there, deadlines looming, tasks piling up, and yet – somehow- you find yourself endlessly scrolling through social media or watching “just one more” episode. Sound familiar? If so, it’s time that you break free from that procrastination cycle by exploring why you procrastinate, how you can beat the habit and reclaim your time.
Why do we procrastinate?
Understanding why you procrastinate is the first step to overcoming it. Procrastination is rarely as simple as just laziness, it has various underlying causes such as:
- Fear of failure: the anxiety of not meeting expectations can cause us to avoid tasks completely.
- Lack of motivation: if a task feels unimportant, boring, or tedious, we tend to put it off.
- Perfectionism: the fear of not doing a task perfectly can make some people delay starting it altogether.
- Feeling overwhelmed: when facing a big task, it can feel very daunting and overwhelming leading to avoidance.
- Poor time management: without effective planning and prioritising, tasks can pile up, making it hard to even know where to begin.
Tips to overcome procrastination
Now for the good part – how to actually fight procrastination! Here are some effective strategies:
- Break it down: large tasks can feel daunting and overwhelming, try breaking them down into smaller, manageable tasks and tackle them one at a time.
- Set clear goals and deadlines to help create a sense of urgency and direction.
- Use the “eat the frog” method: do the most important or difficult task first thing, this way you’re less likely to procrastinate on it later.
- Eliminate distractions by turning off your phone.
- Try and figure out the root cause of your procrastination, in order to effectively solve or manage it.
- Reward yourself – After completing a task, treat yourself to a break, snack, or time doing something you enjoy.
- Most importantly don’t beat yourself up if you procrastinate, it’s a very common experience. Instead make sure to acknowledge it, learn from it and get back on track!
In conclusion, procrastination is a common but frustrating habit, one that 84% of people in the UK admit to struggling with. By understanding why, you procrastinate and using effective strategies to combat it, you can boost productivity and reduce stress. Start today by implementing these tips to build better habits for a more productive life!
Support and Resources for CAW Students
As a student of The College of Animal Welfare, you get FREE access to a wide variety of resources and support via the togetherall app; there is a great short online course on how to stop procrastinating. Togetherall also has forums so you can discuss any worries with others, and access to trained counsellors 24/7. If you haven’t set up an account, you can do so FREE of charge with your CAW email address.