Procrastination - Reasons And Solutions!

1. Feeling overwhelmed 
   
   "I don't know where to start! I just keep getting more work piled on me. How can I organise this?"
   
   The solution to feeling overwhelmed is to line your tasks and projects up one by one. Once your tasks and projects are lined up in a sequential order that makes sense, given your deadlines, break them down into logical steps. Next, identify the first step: an instant start-up task.
   
   An instant start-up task is something that will only take you 3-5 minutes. Once you dive into a small 3-5 minute task, you will become so engaged that moving through the next, longer, two or more steps is child's play.
   
   
2. Resistance to authority 
   
   "My manager never considers my time-frames or viewpoints. He will just have to wait until next week for me to finish this."
   
   Getting even with a manager by turning in work later than requested or expected never works. It sabotages you! Face it - no one likes being told what to do, because as freedom seeking beings, we value our autonomy. A pretty normal human reaction to authority is to rebel.
   
   As an adult in the workplace, we can see this resistance to authority as it is: childish. Exercise your autonomy. Make a conscious choice to do the work, finish on time and produce excellent quality. This will earn respect.
   
   
3. Victim syndrome
   
   "Someday I will be powerful enough that I won't have to do this routine, boring work."
   
   Victimhood will never be a productive state to work in. Thinking you are a victim slows your mental acuity and destroys your decision-making ability. To eliminate victimhood, use the technique that works for resistance to authority. Say to yourself, "I choose to do this!". Watch the difference it makes in your energy level, your attitude, and your resolve to finish.
   
   
4. Perfectionism
   
   "There can be NO mistakes in this. I'll just die if anyone finds an error."
   
   Those who have the mindset that every single phrase, word, and formatting decision must be perfect are often frozen into procrastination by their perfectionism. They resist starting because trying to make every single detail perfect gives them burnout.
   
   Accept the fact that you are human and will make errors and misjudgments. These can be fixed when they are pointed out. Remember that those who aim for excellence produce exceptional work, while those who aim for absolute perfection become neurotic.
   
   
5. All work and no play 
   
   "All I ever do is work. I'll have to stay late again to finish this, which means I'll miss out on the girl's night out."
   
   In the intensity of your work day, you can get flustered and need time-out. All work dulls your spirit and makes you crave some play.
   
   Balance an intense period of production with a few minutes of sharing a joke with a team member or a trip to the break room for your favourite drink. Find some way to reward yourself for finishing planned work in the time allotted and you'll be more energised throughout your day.

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