Procrastination v/s Productivity

Now this is two words that's rarely paired.

Just like oil and water, procrastination and productivity don't go together. In fact, they are opposite of each other. Procrastination is one that word which every human being is aware of and some struggle with. The art of delaying things and work is not a great art to master. Now why and what are the factors behind this. Maybe I would write about it tomorrow, that's the major used phrase for procrastination.

And nowadays with technology and distractions it's harder than ever to get things done.

Why does skipping assignment and watching our favorite series or scrolling Facebook, Instagram/ watching YouTube videos Instead of studying sounds so satisfying. Even though latter is more meaningful and useful thing to do. It's because we prefer to listen to the devil counterpart, or is it because we are listening to our mind? Now we all know the quote "mind is good servant but bad master" and that is exactly what's happening here.

The feel of dopamine (a neurotransmitter) is also a reward chemical. Any activities you complete results in release of dopamine and such is the great feeling about oneself and thus it becomes a habit.

Similar principle was used in one infamous social experiment. Some children were asked to sit in a room for 10 minutes with nothing but a chocolate bar for company, now the condition was if they lasted 10 minutes without consuming the chocolate, they would get the reward of two chocolate bar. And most of children were able to control themselves and take the harder route. Now if children can do it why can't adult. Adult could easily put out the distraction to get the job done, right?

And the dopamine boost from the job we do and getting yourself free the rest of the day is so worth it.

And obviously not a single person would vouch for the fact that - they love the last-minute works. All the stress, confusion and rushing, missing dinner and sleep pulling an all-nighter and being anxious all time; is that all even worth it? Wouldn't it be better to find ways to procrastinate the procrastination? And good news is with goggle at our finger tips we could easily search up millions of hacks and tips but the journey doesn't end there. Now it's time for implementation and that's easier said than done.

The real frustration of not getting work done, not even able to start the work is real

So, let's look at the major causes of procrastination.

Most of the time it occurs due to lack of Interest and deadlines, low energy, less willpower, stress; the factors are many so it's up to you to check in with yourself and identify the problem and work it out with little help.

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Listed below are the common factors and solutions to sort it out.

1. Stress

Most of people associate work and tasks with stress and panic. It's common mechanism to just postpone the stress and hence the procrastination. But stress postponed doesn't means the stress is reduced in fact, the stress is doubled before the deadline and thus it greatly affect your results and your body as well, because long term stress or chronic stress increases the stress hormone cortisol which is quite toxic for the body.

Modification/solution:

Stop associating work and tasks with stress. Change that basic rule, clear your mind and sit/sleep out. Start your work in a calmer mood and start it early even it's for 5 minutes and you would feel yourself calming down.

And there's phenomena called zeignark effect it's simply a tendency to complete a task once started and you have given some time to the task.

2. Hormones

Like mentioned earlier dopamine was feel good hormone which is released as reward in human brain. Dopamine is associated with tasks having immediate rewards. Whenever we see a task where there is an immediate reward linked with the task, we jump into the task and get it done.

On the other tasks like weightless, academic achievements and long-term relationships have a delayed and long-term reward, which makes it difficult for humans to connect the dots between physical/mental activity and the reward.

Modification/solution:

Fortunately, we humans are blessed with a quality called willpower meaning we can convince ourselves to carry on the work and continue with our own will, even if the brain is sabotaging to check out the Instagram or YouTube. And to be little strict with ourselves. There are other ways to feel good and get dopamine boost with exercise and music, just find a activity you enjoy and do it in free time.

3. Not enough planning

Nowadays it’s a busy busy world and most of work are Left incomplete due to lack of planning of the day or week.

Modification/solution:

It just takes 5-10 minutes to plan the day and work and to prioritize the work according to its deadlines and hence you complete the work on time.

4. Deadlines

Even though every assignments projects and work have a deadline we don't consider it seriously as we should.

Modification/solution:

Make your own deadline and set it in both device and in note or calendar so that you are remained of it through days and it would signal our brain to get the work done.

5. Boredom and negative feelings

Sometimes the unpleasant or long tasks give rise to boredom or dullness and procrastinating was a way to escape it. But the good thing is brain can be hacked into doing boring or difficult tasks as well.

Solution:

Before starting these hard or long tasks, spend some time doing an activity you love and get yourself in good mood. Train yourself and speak to yourself to not react to boredom or negative feeling and remain neural and get it done.

6. Wavering focus

The longer task requires longer time and focus and with distracting world we live in unwavering focus is kind of hard to attain.

Solution/modification:

Use podomaro technique. It's a timer for 20/40 mins of work followed by 10-15 minutes break.

If you are distracted by phone or computer use app or device blocking apps such as focused or app detox or cold turkey to block the app to help you focus.

7. Not enough time

It's a common line we all have uttered at one point in life.

Solution/modification:

Make time, get up earlier or sleep late and if you are in shortage of time on some day then drop off some non-priority activities to complete the work.

And if you feel like you can start a particular thing and if it's too hard then start doing something useful straight away like cleaning your desk and decluttering the devices or sorting out all the materials on desk and it itself would get you in the flow and mood to complete the task.

Remember the 5 second rule, the time period between thought and implementing it. So just get hold of it and start on and you are going to regret it. there's a James bond movie : tomorrow never dies ... That's exactly is the procrastinating Motto - it never dies and it never arrives too to be exact.

If not now then when? is a question you should ask yourself and get it on.