Common Causes of Procrastination and How to Overcome them
Procrastination can come in many forms – putting tasks off until the last minute, completing tasks of less importance first, and avoiding tasks altogether. If you frequently find yourself facing these telltale signs, it may be time to get to the source of your procrastination in order to understand how to combat it.
Striving for perfection
Fear of making a mistake or fear of not completing a task perfectly can lead to procrastination. To fight this, it’s important to take a step back and remember that mistakes are merely a learning opportunity and not necessarily a failure. Through making mistakes, you learn where you went wrong and how to improve for the next time around. Once you adopt this way of thinking, you can begin to view your mistakes differently.
If you find your procrastination is rooted in the fear of not having a perfectly-completed task or deliverable, consider starting with a small step first. Get started by working for just a few minutes. Sometimes, just getting started is actually the hardest part. Once you’ve tackled the first few minutes, you may find it easier to keep going once you’ve gotten into the groove of things. If you’re still unsure of your efforts, try completing a portion of the work and then asking for feedback before completely finishing. This will help you understand whether or not you are on the right track and give you the courage you need to see the project through to completion.
Feeling overwhelmed
Being overwhelmed with the amount of work you need to get done, but feeling stuck and not knowing where to begin can make starting a task or a series of tasks even more difficult. The key to overcoming these feelings is to stay organized and on top of each of your responsibilities. Keep a running list of the work you need to get done and then prioritize which ones you will need to complete first. Next, if possible, break down the tasks into smaller chunks rather than completing everything from start to finish. Being able to tackle your responsibilities in smaller portions can make everything that needs to be completed more manageable.
Low motivation or interest
What is your motivation for getting a task done? Will your productivity result in more responsibilities? A pay increase or promotion? Recognition from a manager? Or simply doing work you know has a direct impact on others? Without a driving factor behind the work that you do, actually getting the work done can feel impossible. Likewise, completing tasks you have no interest in can be a daunting experience.
If this sounds like it could be the root of your procrastination, it may be time to take a step back and re-evaluate what you are working towards. If you believe your current position still fits into the goals you have set for yourself, you may need to look at the bigger picture. Remind yourself what it is you are going after and that each task you complete gets you one step closer. On the other hand, if you are continuing to lose interest in your role and find it difficult to complete your work or find motivation for even getting started, consider whether or not it is time to switch things up – whether this means a new role or a completely new field.
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