The habit of postponing every task to the last achievable minute is procrastination. Most of us develop this habit during school days and by the time we start working, this habit becomes a part and parcel of every task we are supposed to do. There's nothing wrong with taking a break from work but a delay till the last minute can create panic and affect the results of that specific job. Therefore, it's advisable to strike a balance between work and leisure. Procrastination might also result within the loss of the overall productivity of an organization.

Factors Of Procrastination

Lack of organizational abilities

Organization and planning of tasks is very important so that you can complete them within the allotted time. Absence of time management and organization skills leads to delays within the completion of assigned work.

Inability To Set Priorities

Setting a list of priorities enables a person to complete the urgent and important tasks first. Inability to set priorities creates confusions and important work may lag behind.

Complicated Tasks

Certain tasks appear to be complicated as well as the nervousness and fear of not becoming able to complete them cause us to postpone them until the last possible moment.

Fear Of Imperfection

The anxiety of not being competent enough to perform the assigned work up to the mark causes a person to delay the work till the last moment.

Procrastination - Why We Procrastinate, And Issues We Can Do To Stop Procrastinating

The habit of postponing every task to the last achievable minute is procrastination. Most of us develop this habit during school days and by the time we begin working, this habit becomes a part and parcel of every task we are supposed to do. There is nothing wrong with taking a break from work but a delay till the last minute can develop panic and affect the results of that particular task. Therefore, it really is advisable to strike a balance between work and leisure. Procrastination may possibly also result within the loss of the overall productivity of an organization.

Factors Of Procrastination

Lack of organizational abilities

Organization and planning of tasks is very important to be able to complete them within the allotted time. Absence of time management and organization skills leads to delays within the completion of assigned work.

Inability To Set Priorities

Setting a list of priorities enables a person to complete the urgent and important tasks first. Inability to set priorities creates confusions and important work might lag behind.

Complicated Tasks

Certain tasks appear to be complicated as well as the nervousness and fear of not being able to complete them cause us to postpone them until the last possible moment.

Fear Of Imperfection

The anxiety of not being competent sufficient to perform the assigned work up to the mark causes a person to delay the work till the last moment.

Inability To Take Decisions

Particular projects need decision making in order to proceed with them. Indecisiveness leads to pushing back work.

Interruptions

Emails, phone calls and co workers stopping by while you’re working break your concentration and this might lead to postponing assignments at times.

Ideas To Overcome Procrastination

Schedule Your Tasks

Prepare a schedule of tasks every day in accordance with their priority and stick to that schedule to make sure its completion on a daily basis.

Simplify Work

Break down complicated work into smaller parts and set deadlines to complete every part timely. You can also get help from seniors or co workers to guide you through the task.

Time Estimation

Do not under or over estimate time required to complete a task. Make sure that you take realistic and attainable assumptions regarding the time requirements of the work assigned to you.

Motivate Yourself

Do not underestimate your competency and make yourself realize that there's nothing like perfection as well as the best time to complete a task is NOW.

Concentrate On Work

Various interruptions break the concentration in work and result in distraction. Strive hard to develop focus and concentration skills and resist the urge to take breaks too often.

Automate Repetitive Tasks

Certain small tasks, which are often repeated in work assignments and projects, are boring in nature and might be delayed. Automation of such tasks expedites the completion of projects.