Psychologies of a master Procrastinator and smart frameworks to tackle them
We suffer more in imagination than in real life.
Perfectionist’s Fear
Procrastination is a constant and subconscious fear of failure.
If you put off a task long enough, then you don’t have to suffer on the completion of the results.
In that way, you also don’t have to face up to the potential negative results.
Don’t stick to getting the minor things “just right”. It forces you to delay the tasks.
How to tackle :
- Try visualizing the completion of your task in a positive way.
- Understanding perfection is a myth.
- Put in your best effort and realize that's all you can do.
Lack of Action
This is psychology about a person's inability to put their ideas and visions, not in action.
This happens because of their inefficiency in goal setting after the ideas have been curated.
Aimless approaches manifest a lack of decision-making and delays.
How to Tackle :
- Once you have an idea, write down a timeline of what you want to achieve and by when.
- Do this daily to keep yourself on track and accountable.
- Be determined on goal settings.
Overwhelmed Avoider
This psychology relates to those tasks that might be overwhelming to do but causes you to procrastinate.
This is due to the complexity of the tasks, which causes the brain to lose motivation and tasks altogether.
How to tackle :
Try to break tasks into smaller sub-tasks and then tackle them individually.
Who lacks Prioritization
You may have too many tasks and you miss acknowledging the differing importance of each task.
Time is wasted on switching from one task to another or spending too much time deciding what to do.
Even while multitasking, things get mixed.
How to tackle :
Sort down all your tasks as “Important” and “Urgent” and then tackle them accordingly. This principle is known as the Eisenhower matrix.
Make sure to question the value and purpose of each task and make a list in order of importance.
Distractions
It’s just another cause for people to procrastinate.
We get often distracted because our brains are not wired to focus on one task for a long period of time.
How to tackle :
Be mindful of your workspace and potential distractions.
- Try the Pomodoro technique: Work for 20-30 minutes at a time and then take a 5-minute break.
Thanks for reading.
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