Week-01

An Overview on Procrastination_Miscelleanous: 

Today, I’d like to provide some insight into procrastination. As someone who has procrastinated many times, I decided to see why I’m so lazy and procrastinate. 

The way I see it is when we overlook the number of tasks we need to do, and we put it off and instead do things we enjoy. Things like watching Netflix or playing a game can seem like minor distractions that promote relaxation. It’s when we get wrapped into these minor distractions, that we overlook a work amount. Many times when I have one task, I’m more likely to put it off, before I can estimate the amount of effort needed to complete it. While enjoying yourself is very needed, it’s also essential to have a balance, you can’t have too much of a good thing or too much of a bad thing.

Luckily, procrastination is a common struggle, and there are effective ways to tackle it. One of the main pieces of advice I found, was to start by breaking your tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. Instead of facing several tasks, all at once, focus on completing one small part at a time. This makes the task less overwhelming and easier to start.

So I tried this, and it’s easier said than done. So many people deal with so much work, that one of the most commonly used expressions is, “I’m drowning in work!” As someone who has to balance household chores, daily exercise, studies, and social time, I’ve found it hard to properly structure my tasks and break them down. So to approach breaking my tasks into smaller steps, I made lists. I broke my tasks into small chunks, and I wrote them down. I was able to get done with my work faster because it seemed more manageable and attainable. 

Another useful technique is setting specific deadlines for each task. Creating a structured schedule helps keep you on track and reduces the temptation to put things off. The internet recommends some online interfaces to help create a structured schedule. Some interfaces like Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, Apple Calendar, and Fantastical, help keep track of events and schedule your time wisely. Additionally, one can minimize distractions by turning off notifications and creating a dedicated workspace. Some interfaces that are helpful with this are Self Control, One Sec, and Paw Block. People who have adopted these strategies have found, that you can overcome procrastination and boost your productivity. I have tried adopting Reminders, Google Calendar, and the Alarm apps on my phone. I’ve seen more productivity come out of my time when I schedule my time efficiently on these interfaces. 

So now let’s get to the, “why.” Why do we procrastinate? Well, according to researchers, it’s often because we misjudge how much time tasks will take and wait for the “right” mood to start. We’re more drawn to immediate rewards than long-term benefits, and mental health issues like depression, OCD, and ADHD can make it harder to focus and make decisions. Procrastination comes in different forms, from putting things off due to indecision to purposefully delaying tasks until the last minute for the thrill. Chronic procrastination can mess with our mental health, relationships, and finances. To address these issues, researchers have found simple strategies like making to-do lists, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and cutting out distractions can help us get things done on time.

Source: https://www.verywellmind.com/the-psychology-of-procrastination-2795944