Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Procrastinate
Today, I made a grave mistake.
It’s enrollment day for the upcoming semester.
I’ve been waiting for this day for months.
It would affect:
- the professors I’d get
- the schedule I’d have
- the classmates I’d meet
Instead of finalizing my plan, I procrastinated.
I wasn’t ready. By the time I finalized my plan, all the slots were taken.
UGH! I had to compromise.
Instead of having 3 hours of deepwork in the morning to myself, I now have a messy, inconsistent schedule.
And it’s all my fault.
Not the internet. Not the university.
My fault.
It’s an important decision that will affect my productivity, health, and sanity for the next 4 months.
I have to deal with the consequences.
But you don’t have to.
You chose to read this article because you’re struggling with procrastination, right?
Well, here’s a step-by-step process I should’ve used, to keep me from procrastinating.
Amplify the Pain
We procrastinate to numb the pain of doing work.
We don’t procrastinate when numbing the pain isn’t enough.
To do that, you must amplify the pain of not doing the work. Feel the anxiety that comes by procrastinating, and satisfy the urge to relieve yourself off of it. Understanding this will lead you to take action.
For example, if you’re procrastinating on doing your homework, focus on the ‘itch’ to get it done and out of sight. According to the Zeigarnick effect, we more easily remember unfinished tasks, but easily forget finished tasks. With this information, give in to your desire to achieve peace of mind. Focus on the discomfort having to juggle many tasks. Get started to achieve mental rest.
Expect the Worst
Take this from my story. I was overconfident. I thought I knew the procedures for enrolling. I thought I was prepared.
I was wrong.
It’s better to prepare for the worst, than to assume you can handle it blindly. It’s better to be pessimisitic if you want to get rid of procrastination. When there isn’t a tangible punishment of avoiding work, we tend to procratinate. This is because our brains search for the path to least resistance. This means, the actions that require the least amount of effort is what you want, deep down.
Understanding this nature, remind yourself of what could go wrong.
Remind yourself that your teacher could assign more homework on Thursday, which are due Friday. Remind yourself that you’d have less time to finish all your homework later on.
By assuming things could go badly, you prepare for it and find the courage to start now.
Save Your Future Self
Investing isn’t just about money. It’s about creating a plan for your future self.
Think long-term, or at least 2 steps ahead. Understand that your actions today will affect your life tomorrow. You must take tomorrow into consideration because tomorrow will come.
I should’ve finalized my professors and schedule yesterday. Not today.
I could’ve saved future me from less hassle. I could’ve had a more productive schedule.
When it comes to important decisions, always think at least 2 steps ahead.
You’d thank your past self for it.
Adjust the Difficulty
This is the flow state graph. Flow state is when you’re immersed into an activity. You’re fully focused and time passes by unnoticably.
To beat procrastination, you must look forward to starting.
If you wish to start, you must enjoy the work that you do.
To enjoy it, you must get in the Flow State as much as possible.
Ask yourself: why are you putting it off?
Is it too challenging? Or is it too boring?
If it’s too challenging:
- break it down into manageable tasks
- lower your standards
- do it a little by little everyday
If it’s too boring
- try to emulate a professional
- make it fun with funky music
- set a timer and try to beat your high score
There’s always a solution to beat procrastination.
First, you must understand why.
Then, make a plan based on your ‘why’.
