"Procrastination Disease", also known as "Procrastination", refers to the state of delaying, avoiding or constantly postponing the tasks that an individual needs to do. This condition, which can also be characterized as the tendency to do something different once more before sitting down to work, the habit of leaving things to the last minute, deliberate and conscious avoidance of the work to be done, or procrastination, is generally observed quite commonly in society.
Instead of taking action, these individuals prefer to postpone their tasks by finding various excuses and escape routes. As a result of this habit, their work and school lives as well as their social relationships can be negatively affected.
What are the Symptoms of Procrastination?
Symptoms of procrastination may vary from person to person and depending on the life situation. This can make it difficult to manage daily life effectively and can cause problems in personal, academic or work life. While the symptoms of procrastination can negatively affect a person's quality of life, the symptoms can be listed as follows:
- Habitual procrastination,
- Ambivalence,
- Don't make excuses,
- Stress and anxiety,
- Work is not done for a long time,
- Last minute pressure,
- Lack of motivation,
- Superficial work
Who Suffers from Procrastination?
Procrastination, which can be seen in people of all ages and genders, tends to be more common in people with poor organizational skills, difficulty in time management, unclear goals or lack of motivation. Psychological factors such as low self-esteem, stress and anxiety can also increase the tendency to procrastinate. Distractions such as constant notifications brought by technological developments and social media can also fuel procrastination behavior.
How Does Chronic Procrastination Occur?
Chronic procrastination is an important problem seen in individuals who constantly postpone tasks and experience stress and distress due to this habit. The repeated continuation of this situation can negatively affect a person's daily life. Family dynamics and parental attitudes lie at the heart of this situation, which started in childhood.
Especially in families with authoritarian parents, strict rules and the pressure to follow these rules may be at the forefront. Individuals growing up in such families may face constant criticism and expectations of perfection. Similarly, procrastination behavior can be seen in children of parents who show conditional love and attention. In this case, children may constantly try to understand their parents' intentions and fulfill their expectations in order to meet their emotional needs.
Such children may have performance anxiety because they feel they have to constantly strive for recognition and acceptance. These anxieties can trigger procrastination behavior in adulthood. Instead of initiating tasks, they tend to leave things to the last minute. Over time, this can turn into a chronic procrastination habit.
Individuals with chronic procrastination often don't start work until closer to the deadline. This can lead to increased stress levels and irritability over time. Even when they intend to do things, they have difficulty staying motivated, and by delaying their actions, they are also delaying their emotional responses.
In conclusion, chronic procrastination is a pattern of behavior that begins in childhood and continues into adulthood. Family dynamics and parental attitudes seem to play an important role in the development of this behavior. Therefore, it is important to understand the origins of procrastination and seek professional help to manage this habit.
What are the Causes of Procrastination?
The underlying causes of procrastination can be complex and can be related to the individual's personal characteristics, environmental factors and psychological dynamics. Common causes that contribute to the development of procrastination:
- Lack of motivation,
- Time management issues,
- Perfectionism,
- Fear of failure,
- Low self-esteem,
- Distractions,
- Don't become a habit,
- Don't enjoy procrastination,
- Unpersonalized job selection,
- Lack of information
How to Deal with Procrastination?
Procrastination is a pattern of behavior that many people encounter from time to time in their lives, but one that requires effort to deal with effectively. The following steps can be useful to overcome this habit and adopt a more productive lifestyle:
Awareness: The first step is to become aware of the habit of procrastination. Understanding why you procrastinate is the beginning of changing this behavior.
Goal Setting: Setting clear tasks and goals can increase your willingness to get started. By setting yourself achievable goals, you can keep your motivation high.
Breaking Down Work: You can make things more manageable by breaking large tasks into smaller steps. This can make you more encouraged to get started.
Time Management: You can use time more efficiently by planning and prioritizing your daily tasks. Setting time frames to get things done can reduce the habit of procrastination.
Attention Control: Controlling distractions can improve your ability to focus on work. When you start work, try to focus without distractions.
Reward System: Setting rewards for yourself for completing tasks can increase your motivation. Rewards can help you complete tasks more willingly.
Positive Self-Talk: Saying positive and motivating words to yourself can boost your self-esteem and help you approach tasks with a more positive outlook.
A Good Work Environment: Creating a calm, organized and motivating work environment can increase your willingness to get started.
Social Support: Tackling the habit of procrastination with family, friends or professional support can help you be more effective.
Start Small: If you find it difficult to start tasks, it may be easier to start with a small step. You may find that your motivation increases as you get started.
Celebrate Successes: Celebrating yourself when you complete tasks or reach goals can help you approach tasks in a more motivated way.
Professional Help: If the habit of procrastination is too intense and negatively affecting your life, you may want to consider seeking professional support from an expert.
Overcoming the habit of procrastination is a process that requires patience, determination and regular effort. Have confidence in yourself and apply the above strategies to create a more productive and satisfied lifestyle.