1. They Adopt a complacent / lackadaisical attitude
2. Are Lazy (though some might think otherwise)
3. Are passive prone
4. Are confident of meeting up with deadlines
5. They ‘sometimes’ meet up with it when it matters the most
6. Bad Time management
Those who often procrastinate tend to say things like:
1. I’ll try and do it
2. I’ll do it at my own convenience
3. what’s the hurry?
4.I’m tired, worn out, it’ll have to wait
5. I’ll do it later
6. it’s not much, I can always finish it before the deadline
Words that don’t exist in their vocabulary include:
1.Speed
2. Timeliness
3. Efficiency
4. Prompt action
5.Meticulous
Procrastination is caused most times by indecisiveness either to do it now or later. It has caused people their jobs, relationships, economic breakthroughs and advancement in all spheres. ‘Regret’, then becomes a recurring thought that haunts them and they say things like :
1. Had i known
2. I should have
3. If only I had,
4. Why didn’t I just do it at once,
5. If I could have another opportunity I’d do it at once
Many have lost golden opportunities that would have catapulted them to the top because they procrastinated. It starts by putting off one task, then another, and another until it becomes a habit.
How can one overcome it?
- acknowledge that you have the habit of procrastinating and be determined to change
- realize the harmful effects procrastination causes and take stock of what you’ve suffered at its hands
- Determine to be disciplined in carrying out tasks
- Motivate yourself ( e.g Fred you know you have to get this done right now else you’ll loose out on the goodies)
- Set goals and stick to them
- For personal goals you could draw up a time table scheduling various tasks and a column for results achieved
- Say the right words (words can spur you into doing something) e.g Fred you’re doing it right now!
- Back up your words with prompt action, because talk is cheap.
- Delete words such as “going to, I may, I will, later on” out of your vocabulary
It might be hard at first in the race to overcome it, but if you stick to the rules long enough, you’ll marvel at the outstanding results. The ability not to procrastinate is in you, therefore, decide never to be its victim.
So long…auggiepo@yahoo.com
Augusta Okon is a lawyer, novelist and runs ’wise Insight’, an information hunting/writing services outfit in Lagos, Nigeria.Wise Insight helps Nigerians and foreigners to have access to credible, authentic information in topics,issues,areas, where they have little or no knowledge about within the Nigerian jurisdiction.
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