What do the following words mean to you: "I'll do it tomorrow"? If you are a procrastinator they will mean a great deal. If you are not they may mean nothing. So which are you? Are you the type of person that allows due dates to creep up and tap you on the shoulder? Or do you get your work done nice and early to eliminate all worry and panic? (Congratulations if you do!)
The good news is you probably do have a brain after all! What a relief. The big problem is, however, that while the words "I'll do it tomorrow" may comfort you and give you a sense of relief that everything be will be OK or a hope about what tomorrow may bring, they are also the bane of your entire existence! They torture you. They tease you. They make you think that when you wake up in the morning you will be super-motivated and super-pumped to tackle a task that yesterday seemed completely impossible. But not today! Today (being tomorrow) you know all the answers and have all the confidence in the world and all the obstacles that stopped you from starting the task yesterday are now gone aren't they? Well aren't they? Unfortunately the answer is no, because nothing at all has changed! Everything is the same. Except that today is the day! Things are going to happen! Angels are going to fly! The earth is going to shake! OK well maybe not, but you are going to do some work you have been putting off anyway.
Do You See The Problem?
Procrastinators tend to tell themselves little while lies such as: "I am a perfectionist so if I'm going to do something I'm going to do it right" or "I'm almost ready to get started" or "I'm working on it, it will be done soon" or "I need more information before I get started" or "I'll get started tomorrow when I'm refreshed" or "I have a few things to do first" or "I work better under pressure" or "I just need more time." Can you notice what is happening here? It's just one excuse after another isn't it?
Have you ever felt the rush of an assignment due the next day and you haven't started yet? It may not be a good rush, but it's still a rush and that's why people do it. They then spring into action, usually with a heavy degree of dread and stress about the task ahead. But nonetheless, what was once a boring task has now taken on a challenging context. Their previously boring life now has a serious edge! This is the ultimate test and people like to test themselves - and pass (although most just fail and look a fool). In a procrastinator's mind, this rush allows you to perform to an exceptionally high standard and achieve things normal circumstances won't allow. However, it's the testing and failing that is the seriously dangerous part of this practise.
Get Out Of Your Own Way
On objective reflection, this is a horrible approach to anything in life, particularly your studies. Worse still, you will get found out if you try to continue this behavior after high school because University and College (and life in general) takes no prisoners when it comes to last-minute work. Do it at your own risk - you will (no doubt about it) pay the price. Believe me, we know. We've been there. Learn from us. So, what can you do about it?
Instead, just take a moment and think about it. Think about what the payoff is for you. Think about what it is that reinforces why you should procrastinate. There has to be a payoff. No-one does anything they don't want to do without a payoff being involved. So what's yours? Is it because you don't like being told what to do? It is because you want to be in control - even if that means failing? Is it because you fear what your friends will think if you get your work done and act like a good student? Is it because you think it will be too hard? Is it because you don't know where to start and are hoping someone will help you? What is making you believe procrastinating is a desirable action? Think hard here. What could it be?
The good news is you probably do have a brain after all! What a relief. The big problem is, however, that while the words "I'll do it tomorrow" may comfort you and give you a sense of relief that everything be will be OK or a hope about what tomorrow may bring, they are also the bane of your entire existence! They torture you. They tease you. They make you think that when you wake up in the morning you will be super-motivated and super-pumped to tackle a task that yesterday seemed completely impossible. But not today! Today (being tomorrow) you know all the answers and have all the confidence in the world and all the obstacles that stopped you from starting the task yesterday are now gone aren't they? Well aren't they? Unfortunately the answer is no, because nothing at all has changed! Everything is the same. Except that today is the day! Things are going to happen! Angels are going to fly! The earth is going to shake! OK well maybe not, but you are going to do some work you have been putting off anyway.
Do You See The Problem?
Procrastinators tend to tell themselves little while lies such as: "I am a perfectionist so if I'm going to do something I'm going to do it right" or "I'm almost ready to get started" or "I'm working on it, it will be done soon" or "I need more information before I get started" or "I'll get started tomorrow when I'm refreshed" or "I have a few things to do first" or "I work better under pressure" or "I just need more time." Can you notice what is happening here? It's just one excuse after another isn't it?
Have you ever felt the rush of an assignment due the next day and you haven't started yet? It may not be a good rush, but it's still a rush and that's why people do it. They then spring into action, usually with a heavy degree of dread and stress about the task ahead. But nonetheless, what was once a boring task has now taken on a challenging context. Their previously boring life now has a serious edge! This is the ultimate test and people like to test themselves - and pass (although most just fail and look a fool). In a procrastinator's mind, this rush allows you to perform to an exceptionally high standard and achieve things normal circumstances won't allow. However, it's the testing and failing that is the seriously dangerous part of this practise.
Get Out Of Your Own Way
On objective reflection, this is a horrible approach to anything in life, particularly your studies. Worse still, you will get found out if you try to continue this behavior after high school because University and College (and life in general) takes no prisoners when it comes to last-minute work. Do it at your own risk - you will (no doubt about it) pay the price. Believe me, we know. We've been there. Learn from us. So, what can you do about it?
Instead, just take a moment and think about it. Think about what the payoff is for you. Think about what it is that reinforces why you should procrastinate. There has to be a payoff. No-one does anything they don't want to do without a payoff being involved. So what's yours? Is it because you don't like being told what to do? It is because you want to be in control - even if that means failing? Is it because you fear what your friends will think if you get your work done and act like a good student? Is it because you think it will be too hard? Is it because you don't know where to start and are hoping someone will help you? What is making you believe procrastinating is a desirable action? Think hard here. What could it be?
About the Author:
Get many more study tips and read the full article here: Help Me Study | Overcome Procrastination
No comments:
Post a Comment