Putting Things Off
"A day can really slip by when you're deliberately avoiding what you're supposed to do." -Bill Watterson (Creator of the comic Calvin and Hobbes)
There are many reasons why we avoid doing things. Oftentimes, it's because the task is unpleasant, boring, etc. Then there's the sense of insecurity, the feeling that we may not be capable of doing whatever it is we're supposed to be doing or the task is too great. If a task seems insurmountable and your feel like you are an ant staring up at a sixty-story building, then instead of putting it off until later when you may not feel like doing whatever it is, perhaps break the task down into smaller components.
If you are putting things off because you have so many other things to do and it's not exactly a deliberate means of procrastinating, put priorities on things. There is no possible way that the twenty things that have to be done has an equal level of priority. Taking time to prepare and organize may not be an enjoyable pastime but a little organization may make the tasks seem less daunting. You could solicit assistance in this endeavor. However, you must make sure that your focus is not diverted by your assistant. Focus is important and lack of focus is one thing that leads to distractions and putting things off.
There is no best method to remedy this. There might have to be a trial-and-error period to find out what works well for the person attempting to overcome procrastination. Perhaps, to aid in the completion of your tasks, goals, assignments, etc. set up a challenge and a reward. Having something to look forward to will lessen the desire to put things off. It doesn't have to be anything large; it could be a dessert from a favorite restaurant, or a short excursion, clothes, or even a movie or a show. It could even be a book or some music.
Personally, I do not like to put things off because I know things will have to be done and I'd rather not be overburdened. But I do have many things going on all at the same time and I do forget things. This is where a list or prioritizing things could come in handy. At home, things are not a high priority but there are things that I have to keep up on like cleaning and feeding the pets because I'm the only one who can do it. At work, I am constantly bombarded by tasks and supervisors who feel that each task is the most important and has to be done right away. This environment makes me want to put things off, but I know I can't. If I do, it just makes things even more stressful for me.
@Enthenia
hey enthenia! thanks for putting this together! it looks awesome
I like the distinction that you make about how its not always intentionally putting off things but our probity of things. I can relate to having poor time management. I think that learning some organizing skills and time management can be super helpful. Planners, routines, todo lists are all good tools that I have found. I find that too that professors and supervisors all feel that their task is the most important and the only taks that you have, but that is rarely the case. Its a balancing act of trying to get everything done, Thanks for sharing enthenia!
I took a Psychology course a few years ago, and I remember reading something about procrastination. As much as we put off a task, whether that be for our studies or chores or tasks at work, the longer we take to actually do the work, the closer it is to the deadline. Which in turn, makes us feel that the task at hand is harder to complete. As the pressure to get it done before the deadline is creeping up, and having to procrastinate to the last minute, makes the task even more difficult to finish. So, it's creating more stress to do the work when we procrastinate, compared to the unwillingness of doing the task when first receive it and have plenty of time until the deadline. So, maybe, the next time one person wants to procrastinate, they can think about about all the stress and pressure they will feel if they left the work the last minute. To prevent more stress, that they should start tackling the task earlier on.
@Enthenia
@Jaeteuk
I think it's unintentional sometimes. Like at my job today, I got an email stating that I had a month to do an assignment. True, but I also had 10+ other tasks that I was expected to do during that same time frame which I'm getting behind on because I keep having to shift to something else because a supervisor wants it done yesterday. Eventually I'll get in trouble for not getting the things I've shifted done.
I'm not putting things off but I'm not a deity. I can't work miracles in eight hours. I don't have the processing speed of a supercomputer either.
But that is what my job wants.
So true.. a lot of our work requires us to be able to multi-task, and it's definitely a challenge juggling everything around and making sure they get done in time. But like you said, we can only do so much with our own two hands and a brain.. at times like these, I wish there were more hours in a day to get everything finished.
@Jaeteuk I don't remember who said it but it went something like this: "The one thing everyone has in common is that we all have the same hours in a day. The rich man doesn't have more because of his wealth nor the poor man have less because of his station in life."
It's just that workplaces (at least mine) has a different concept of time and that adds a lot to the existing stress. I mentioned to a neighbor that I'd consider talking with management if I ever got a free moment and if I thought they'd actually listen instead of shelving the discussion. It's also ironic that the same ones getting onto me about overlooking things are the same ones who always have time to chat or go down the street for coffee...
By the way, I love your Calvin and Hobbes quote. I remember reading those comics as a kid, and I believe we still have a book or two somewhere in our attic~
@Jaeteuk I got the anthology some years ago. It wasn't the first quote I wanted to use but it was a name I reecognized when I looked up procrastination quotes.