I am a "deadline day man" or "deadline time man". Always doing things very close to the closing time.
Take for instance my writing on hive. I have a goal to write everything for this year and so far, I am still on streak but then have you seen the time I post my contents? Like this one, I will be posting just few minutes to 12 midnight.
Why?
Procrastination of course.
Some days it's because I had a very busy day but more often than not, it's because I felt I could do it later.
Also this prompt will be expiring in a day which means I am making my submission just few hours to the deadline.
These are examples from hive alone.
My final year project was completed the day before my internal defence and printed in the morning of the defence.
Though it was a very busy period due to other final year engagements but still procrastination played a huge role in it.
The thing about deadlines is that the adrenaline rush may help you finish even faster than normal but then it leaves room for avoidable errors which may not be spotted early enough.
Is it really a problem since I still meet up with deadlines?
Not really. It isn't when I meet up with deadlines.
BUT
Imagine those things that don't have deadlines. Some actions need to be taken, but they don't have a deadline attached.
For example, learning a skill.
I've always been interested in graphics design and data analysis.
Procrastination hindered me from going far in any.
I am a quick learner and spending a little time brought me up to speed with the usage of Canva for designing and also SPSS for data analysis. I can do a job in any of the two as long as it doesn't require in-depth knowledge or skill.
But I have not advanced yet with any of the skills so I can't monetize.
I used school as an excuse because of the workload and then my laptop spoilt. Giving me another excuse.
Excuses are just a sign of unseriousness. If you want excuses you will always have excuses but if you decide not to make excuses you will ensure that tasks are done.
I have got myself back on track and made a conscious decision to not leave for later what I can do now.
Even though my laptop is spoilt, I had to look for alternatives because that is not a valid excuse why one should waste time in learning any skill of choice in this day and age.
Procrastination is a game of excuses. If you decide not to give excuses, you automatically leave the game called procrastination.
One other way to avoid procrastination is to find a partner who shares similar interests as you. By doing things together, you may discover that having a partner becomes a source of accountability that drives you to accomplish your set goals.
Just don't infect the partner with some dose of procrastination.lol.
- Hope the read was worth your time