Procrastination
means doing something that feels more pleasant or less important, in
order to avoid performing other things considered more relevant or
harder to reach. Procrastination happens only when some kind of
failure hits (because of the distraction). I think procrastination is
linked to prohibitions, fears, conflicts or insecurities, all of them
running in the unconscious mind. I guess the most difficult task is
not necessarily the one being postponed, but that considered as more
dangerous, forbidden, risky or conflictive. Perhaps the fear to
expose ourselves to society and not succeed is a trigger. Performing
activities or reaching objectives could fail if they are in conflict
with some plan of life, which was abandoned on the road and
unconsciously claims its place. But even chasing after your dreams
could lead to procrastination if relatives are a very strong
counter-influence. Then you end up unconsciously sabotaging all plans
to get to your chosen destination. I think there exists some kind of
broader social syndrome comprising the abandonment of projects,
school failure, multitasking as a way not to focus on a particular
chore, even self-destructive behaviors such as drug abuse or
overworking. In fact all procrastination is harmful, because it leads
to some kind of failure and the personal discomfort for not making
what is owed. Taking time to rest when tired or pausing for creative
thinking are not procrastination but could be when degrading the
process.
Negative
effects of procrastination
Guilt,
anxiety, uncertainty, accumulation of pending work, loss of
opportunity, missing the chance to learn, decreased self-steem,
possible failure in achieving the goal, time loss, social failure,
vice as a way of escape or compensation, vicious cycle of guilt and
more procrastination, existential or personal failure, vulnerability.
Positive
effects
Doing
pleasurable things as substitutes, doing necessary things for
substitution, personal growth in other areas as a compensation.
There
are other causes for procrastination such as depression, anxiety,
brain chemical imbalances that induce inactivity, mental illness not
manifested, the adverse effects of drug use and even the side-effects
of medications, especially psychiatric ones.
I
think if one is constantly avoiding certain activities, abandoning
projects or evading responsibilities, it is better to ask about one's
general view of life or even either family or social relationships to
determine possible motivations. Writing down the procrastination
issues, even when they do not cause major problems, could help
clarify ideas, clear doubts and define priorities.
Writing
a to-do list with priorities and thinking constantly about the
outcomes (good or bad) of procrastination could help push oneself
into work. Once failure has hit, it is better not to burden oneself
with guilt but making an evaluation so one can prevent repetitions.
I
hope the procrastination taken to read this document is helpful.
Links
On
procrastination
