As some of you know, yesterday was Fight Procrastination Day; however, the best time to fight procrastination is not on a special day dedicated to it but rather everyday. So in this post we are going to look at what procrastination is, what signs to look for, and what you can do to help overcome it.
What is it?
Procrastination, according to the Webster’s Dictionary, “is to be slow or late about doing something that should be done: or to delay doing something until a later time because you do not want to do it.”
At the surface it sounds harmless, but this isn’t so much a minor problem as it can become a state of being. Suddenly it’s not just one or two tasks you’re putting off, but all of them. It is a form of self-sabotage and the reasons for it can range from rebellion, fear of failure or even success to an inability to make decisions because of the overwhelming responsibility of those decisions. As a dental professional in such a busy field, you cannot afford to let procrastination take over your life.
I used to be a chronic procrastinator and after rushing through a task to meet a deadline, I told myself that I would stop procrastinating and give myself more time. With my will power at its high point, I’d manage to do exactly that for one assignment. However, for the next assignment and the next and the next, I’d fall into that same procrastinating pit. If you’re in that same pit and cannot get out, the first step, as with all bad habits, is to recognize the signs.
What are the signs?
The signs or symptoms of procrastination can be either pretty obvious or non-existent. In some cases you might even dismiss the obvious signs due to your own perception of the situation at hand. Whether it is a task you like or a task you detest, you can find yourself lying to justify putting it off. I know a lot of people truly believe that you can only procrastinate when the task is difficult or boring, but that’s just not the case. Even something you love to do can become a daunting task that you don’t want to set aside precious time for. Before any task, I would always find myself saying things like “I’m just not in the mood, I’ll do it tomorrow” ; or “I work better under pressure.” Sometimes I still do it and have to stop and remind myself that these lies will put me right back into that procrastinating pit. There are other signs to look out for too, signs that may seem minor but are really quite damaging such as:
- Filling the day with low priority tasks
- Spending a significant amount of time on the internet
- Saying yes to unimportant when a deadline for an important task is approaching
- Tasks that require very little effort don’t get done
- Rushing to complete tasks
- Leaving a task on your to-do list for a long time
- Waiting for the right mood or time to start or finish a project
- Wasting time doing other things when a deadline is approaching
The one thing I’ve learned is that, like any bad habit, the only one who can kick it is you. It will take a lot of effort, a lot of time, and a lot of patience as you are making a substantially life-changing behavioural shift, but the results are worth it, especially when you take into account the costs of such behavior to your health and your dental practice. According to an article provided by Psychology Today, the costs can include compromised immune system, gastrointestinal problems, and insomnia. Procrastination can also affect work performance, resulting in resentment and frustration from your colleagues.
What can you do to help yourself overcome procrastination?
So the question now becomes: What do we do now?
I am still working on shaping my behavior to avoid those times when I can easily become the chronic procrastinator I used to be. There is no easy answer here. Acknowledging the signs is the first step, but you have to be willing to not just acknowledge those signs but actually stop yourself from following that same hazardous pattern. If you find yourself saying those toxic words “I’ll do it tomorrow” say no! Tell yourself that tomorrow is too late and the task needs to be done today. If a task or project seems daunting, do that task first. If the blank page is mocking you, just start writing. I even found that by setting certain tasks to a time limit, I tend to try and make less excuses to put those tasks off. Make the set time something you can handle, though– ten or fifteen minutes– and be sure not to go over. Stop, even if you’re in the middle of that task, and continue for another ten or fifteen minutes the next day. And even if you slip up (which I have done), don’t give up. Just remember that you’re human and humans are bound to make mistakes. Learn from them and keep going. Stop putting it off until tomorrow and get it done today.
For more information on this topic, check out the resources below, and if you’re someone who has kicked the habit of procrastination, please feel free to tell us your inspiring stories.
Resources:
