How To Avoid Procrastination (Must Watch)

In businesses, procrastination can take a serious toll on productivity; wasting time can ruin deadlines as well as relationships. But that is not the only set of adverse effects of procrastinating.

Scientist Fuschia Sirois of Bishop’s University in Quebec reports that trait procrastination— a tendency to delay important tasks despite the negative consequences—was significantly associated with having hypertension or cardiovascular disease.

In addition to heart issues, headaches, digestive issues, colds and flus, and insomnia were indicated as results of trait procrastination.

Procrastinators were also more likely to put off important health behaviors like going to the doctor and getting regular exercise. To cope they used two harmful coping strategies—behavioral disengagement (avoiding dealing with a looming problem) and self-blame, both which negatively contribute to stress and health.

When we procrastinate, we are making our present self more important than our future self. And it doesn’t feel good in the long run. The negative feelings we feel when procrastinating fuel more procrastination and more negativity. How can we address this since we know all of us experience procrastination?

Be Compassionate: A study of over 700 people found that the level of compassion an individual had for themselves could explain their levels of stress and procrastination. Being kind and understanding to ourselves rather than critical can act as a shield to the negative emotions driving us to procrastinate when faced with a difficult task.

Forgive yourself for procrastinating. When you look at the awful report you put together and realize you could have done so much better had you just started earlier, don't beat yourself up. Forgive yourself. Research has shown that students who procrastinated when studying for one exam and then forgave themselves were less likely to procrastinate on ensuing exams.

The interpersonal tools we use do not have to be outmoded. Procrastination is an “old” tool we resort to. But we can do better.

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