Procrastination can manifest itself in many forms and for many reasons. It is generally intended as the delay of acting upon something that needs to be done within a certain window of time. It is uncommon to meet someone who doesn’t, at least occasionally, procrastinate.
Procrastination has many disguises – television, internet, email, books, household chores, telephone, sleep and even the excuse of helping a friend. Procrastinators keep themselves busy with the wrong tasks.
The problem is sometimes spun by fear and anxiety. If you are not comfortable doing something, you naturally choose to ignore it. This problem is fairly common among students, but it is an issue at home and in the workplace as well.
Fear and anxiety at the thought of failure can lead one to avoid the task altogether, which directly leads to more poor feelings. Interestingly enough, while it is fairly common to encounter fear of failure, it is also possible to find some who fear success. They fear that if they succeed, the world will automatically expect more from them in future endeavors.
Most students fear the possibility of getting a failing grade. In their minds, they believe that if they are perceived as being lazy and they fail, at least they won’t be labeled as unable to complete the task. They are afraid someone will question their intelligence.
Research show that students who procrastinate are more vulnerable to illness, to substance abuse, and insomnia. Because procrastination leads them to feel more anxious and fearful, experts believe the abuse of different substances is in direct relation to their need of stifling those feelings.
We delay finishing a task because we fear criticism, disapproval and negative feedback. Procrastination saves us from being embarrassed if expectations of our performance are not realistic. These types of external responses can cause fear or anxiety of being rejected. Some even fear losing freedom and put off committing to a project. Fears are sometimes unconscious and people deny they suffer from them.
There are many ways to combat fear, anxiety and its offspring procrastination. It’s entirely your choice if you want to succeed or fail. You should begin by setting small goals for yourself to work toward. Don’t let your weak points get in the way of your perception. Most fears lack any sort of rationality. All you can do is observe them, assess them and let them go. Ask yourself the real reason you’re afraid. Practice extreme honesty with yourself. For some, exercise and deep breathing help.
There is no perfect time to begin. Some well known writers such as Mark Twain have even emphasized the benefits of taking your time. All that counts is that you do start at some point. Educate yourself about the task you are about to dive into, and don’t forget to reward yourself for a job well done; in no time you will no longer suffer from those anxieties and fears.
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