Do You Need Help with Procrastination?

When we avoid carrying out larger responsibilities, does dragging our feet mean we may need help with procrastination? Have we fallen victim to the cause and effects of procrastination that will brand us as ineffective or lazy?

Most of the time when we avoid undertaking a difficult responsibility or duty it is because of a fear of the task at hand. This is quite common. The cause and effects of procrastination is not an issue. It's just more comfortable to let the activity slide.

But what about the negative effects of procrastination? Why do we procrastinate about the rather simple things that would take just a short time to complete? Why is it so difficult to just stay on task and get the job done?

Why We Need Help With Procrastination

Everyone procrastinates at some time in their life, so what's the big deal? The habit of putting minor tasks off and having uncompleted chores hanging over our heads takes the spotlight off of the big things in our lives that need attending to but that we simply don't want to do. Our awareness is so occupied with all this undone stuff that we don't think about the unpleasant, threatening tasks that are more demanding of our attention.

Letting the little things pile up gives us a false impression that our lives are complicated and hectic, but come what may, we are holding up under all the complexity. This narrow point of view is effective in minimizing the burden of looking at the whole picture.

But here is where the behavior crashes. Our conscious awareness is telling us that we don't have time to fuss with all these minor responsibilities when there are more important tasks at hand. It's a catch-22. We keep the small things undone to keep us from thinking of the bigger things, while the big things remain undone because our thoughts are busy thinking about the little things.

The result: We go shopping, catch a flick, watch TV. We're so overwhelmed about these mixed messages that we end up not wanting to do anything. This is when help with procrastination issues becomes necessary.

The Negative Effects of Procrastination

Procrastination is a behavior that can lead to stress when you fail to reach your potential. For some, the negative effects of procrastination can reach such chronic levels that it can lead to financial difficulties, interfere with relationships and even cause health problems. The most common health risk linked to procrastination is depression.

The Cause and Effects of Procrastination -
What Causes Procrastination and How to Avoid It

Procrastination affects everyone to some degree or another.

Sometimes a task that looms ahead of you seems too complex. It's either too big or will take too long to complete. If a particular job is overwhelming, break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks.

How many of us are afraid of failure? We don't want to face the consequences of not getting something just right, so we put it off until later which may not come. Forget about the process and envision in your mind the task as complete. Imagine a clear mental picture of the end result and how it makes you feel to have it behind you.

What causes procrastination in a lot of people is indecision. They just can't seem to make up their minds. Setting a time limit for coming up with a decision and the reasons for making your choice will help. Sharing this deadline with someone else will also help with procrastination tendencies. It is important to be aware of the difference between an appropriate decision to postpone doing something and an unexplained unreasonable delay.

Ironically, if you were to make a list of all the things you need to do that you have been procrastinating, you would come up with numerous tasks that can be completed in less than 10 minutes. Take a minute to write the list on paper (don't procrastinate). If you try to keep it in your head, it may bounce around up there forever going nowhere. For now, make a commitment to do two things off of your list a day. What's that, 20 minutes or so? You waste more time than that convincing yourself not to do anything.

Your list may be long and overwhelming and of course you'll be adding to it daily. Categorize the items according to priority. If you can't decide which two are more important, close your eyes and pick and choose. The key to ending procrastination is to get started and get them crossed off the list. Eventually, you'll start completing tasks on time. You will begin to recognize what is priority and what can be postponed or eliminated. And you may have fun doing it!

A habit of putting things off affects everyone to some degree or another, and we all could use some help with procrastination. But once we recognize the cause and effects of procrastination, we can take action and begin to do something about it. Understanding what causes procrastination and how to avoid it will raise your awareness and give you a sense of self confidence and accomplishment.

So begin now, what are you waiting for?