A Cure for Procrastination?

Question

Is there one? Even the simplest of tasks may take me months to get around to. I don't know how I even survive. Sometimes, if I can't come up with something else to do other than what I have to do, I just sleep. I hate having to do everything at the last minute, and there are only so many times a teacher will give you an extension. How on earth does everyone else manage to get everything done on time and not procrastinate?

Answer 1

While it is normal for individuals to procrastinate to some degree, it becomes a problem when it impedes normal functioning. There is a such thing as Chronic procrastination which if you have this there may be a sign of an underlying psychological or physiological disorder.

The psychological causes of procrastination vary greatly, but generally surround issues of anxiety, low sense of self-worth, a self-defeating mentality or laziness. Procrastinators are also thought to have a higher-than-normal level of conscientiousness, more based on the "dreams and wishes" of perfection or achievement in contrast to a realistic appreciation of their obligations and potential.

Research on the physiological roots of procrastination mostly surround the role of the prefrontal cortex. This area of the brain is responsible for executive brain functions such as planning, impulse control, attention, and acts as a filter by decreasing distracting stimuli from other brain regions. Damage or low activation in this area can reduce an individual's ability to filter out distracting stimuli, ultimately resulting in poorer organization, a loss of attention and increased procrastination. This is similar to the prefrontal lobe's role in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, where underactivation is common.

Procrastination can be a persistent and debilitating disorder in some people, causing significant psychological disability and dysfunction. These individuals may actually be suffering from an underlying mental health problem such as depression or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

While procrastination is a behavioral condition, these underlying mental health disorders can be treated with medication and/or therapy. Medication can improve an individual's attention span (in the case of ADHD) or improve overall mood (in the case of depression). Therapy can be a useful tool in helping an individual learn new behaviors, overcome fears and anxieties, and achieve an improved quality of life. Thus it is important for people who chronically struggle with debilitating procrastination to see a trained therapist or psychiatrist to see if an underlying mental health issue may be present.

Click on this link to find ways to over come procrastination:
http://www.dexterity.com/articles/overcoming-procrastination.htm

Answer 2

Most individuals procrastinate most of the time. No it is not easy not to procrastinate because most things we need to do are boring and require some effort. You can limit the times you procrastinate if you join the military or be out of a job and have no place to live. When we have to do things that are life threatening we will not procrastinate believe me. So, try taking a job where if you don't move or get out of the way, you may get hurt this is a good way to cure what ails you.

Answer 3

Hi, first you have to understand it, before you can find the cure.

"Procrastination, which at first sounds like a simple behavior, is, in fact, quite complex. It involves emotions, skills, thoughts or attitudes, and factors we are unaware of. Furthermore, the causes and dynamics of putting off an important but unpleasant task vary from person to person and from task to task for the same person," states Dr. Clayton E. Tucker Ladd in Psychological Self-Help.


Ladd divides procrastinators into two main groups: "the tense-afraid types" who are filled with self-doubt, low self-esteem and fears of failure; and "the relaxed, pleasure seeking procrastinators" who are easily distracted by more pleasurable activities than the tasks which seem almost hatefully boring.


Theories on the Causes of Procrastination:


Fear of failure -- Fear of failure can be paralyzing. If you have an anxiety disorder, you may even convince yourself that failing at a small task will result in devastating consequences.

Fear of success -- Success should be a positive situation.

Perfectionism -- A perfectionist often thinks, "Why do something if it can't be done perfectly?" Perfectionism may result in well-done tasks. Unfortunately, it may also lead to an inability to start or finish tasks.

Boredom -- Perhaps you just aren't interested in the task. How do you motivate yourself to do something you dislike?

Anger -- Maybe you're angry at your spouse who happens to want you to mow the lawn, so you put it off. Procrastination can be an unhealthy way of responding to a problem in a relationship.

Lack of skills or information -- You don't start because you can't, and you're afraid to let someone know.

Poor health -- You're tired. You're ill. You have a headache. These are rational reasons for putting a task on hold. However, be sure to make a time to get back to it or designate it to someone else.

Distractions -- Distractions may be mental (you're mourning the loss of a loved one) or environmental (your neighbor is playing loud music) or physical (you're too hungry to concentrate).

There you have it my friend :O)

Answer 4

As with most things in life, eliminating procrastination is a learned action. There must also be a degree of discipline as well.

If I may, I will share with you an exercise that will build the discipline along with the execution of tasks you wish to accomplish.

Take a pen or pencil and lay it on the desk or table in front of you. Now do this: Let C = Command. Let A = Action.
Now say to yourself:
C - Pick it up
A - Pick up the item.
C - Put it down.
A - Put the item down.
In the beginning repeat the above exercise for 10 times. Do this daily and especially just before you have a duty or task that must be completed. Always refer to it as something that must be completed.

The outcome will be a learned discipline and a learned elimination of procrastination.

In a matter of time, you will be one of the most efficient and do it now people around. I have faith in you and know without a doubt you can and will do it. (:>)

Be good to yourself, as you deserve it. Compliment yourself for a job well done and reward yourself upon completion of something that must be done. I am very proud of you already and I very much want you to be proud of yourself.

Good luck and it has been a real pleasure in having been afforded the opportunity of being of service to you and I wish you success in your every venture.

Darryl S.

Answer 5

You might read a book called Do It Now. It gives the different reasons people procrastinate. Some do it because they want something to be perfect and fear they can't achieve that. Others procrastinate because they don't like others telling them what to do. Some people just have a poor sense of time.
Once you realize what causes your behavior, you can do better.
Something that worked for me, when a project seemed overwhelming, was to set a kitchen timer for 15 minutes. I'd start work on it, because it was just a short time. Sometimes that broke me out of paralysis and procrastination.
You can also promise yourself a reward.
Also tell yourself you "want" to do something, not that you "have" to do it. That changes your perspective on it.

Answer 6

I procrastinate at times but the key is to turn whatever u want to do into a habit. Take about 2 mths or less to turn a chore into a habit so if u turn somethin into a habit, it will be part of u. That is how procrastination became part of u. Jus try doin yur tasks and turn dem into a habit and it will be part of u. Laterz.

Answer 7

Don't think there is a cure. However, is your procrastination affecting you life negatively? If so, you need to figure out why you prograstinate. You, also state you choose to sleep. Why do you choose to sleep instead of doing what needs to be done? It would be easy for me to say just jump in and do what needs to be done but I really think that you need to evaluate what is causing you to put things off. Good luck.

Answer 8

okay, I'm a procrastinator but I don't make it sound so bad (this is especially good for interviews when they ask you about you're bad qualities) I say "I procrastinate, but I work well under pressure and I always make my deadlines." As far as a cure goes I would have to say it would be a day to day dedication that I just don't feel like doing right now.

Answer 9

Just put everything out of your mind except for that one task and just get it out of the way.

Answer 10

Can we discuss this later?

You need counseling. I can fit you in sometime next year.

Maybe...

It's a matter of will power. You don't seem to have any. Set your priorities straight. I went through a period like that when I lost the love of my life, but I got over it.