Day 53: Procrastination: The Art of Tomorrow-ing Today's Problems

Procrastination. It's that peculiar human tendency to avoid doing the thing we absolutely need to do by doing literally anything else instead. Or simply put, being lazy!

Why We're All Masters of Delay

"Why do today what can be put off until tomorrow?" – Everyone, probably.

Turns out, we're not just being lazy when we procrastinate. No, no, we're actually being quite sophisticated in our avoidance techniques. The brain's up to all sorts of tricks.

Dr. Tim Pychyl, in his book "Solving the Procrastination Puzzle," explains that procrastination isn't about time management at all. It's about emotion management. We're not avoiding the task; we're avoiding the negative emotions associated with it, fear of failure, anxiety about performance, feeling overwhelmed. Your brain's basically saying, "That looks stressful, mate. Let's not. Please!!!"

The Procrastination Cycle From Hell

Here's how it usually goes for me:

1. "I've got two weeks to create this website. Plenty of time!"
2. One week passes
3. "Still got a week. No worries."
4. Six days pass
5. "OK, I'll start tomorrow."
6. Tomorrow arrives
7. "I'll just check my emails first."
8. Three hours of netflix later
9. "Right, I'll definitely start after lunch."
10. Decides to reorganise the living room instead
11. Panic sets in at 11 PM, presentation is at 8AM
12. Furiously codes (types) until 2 AM, cursing past self for being such a twit

Sound familiar? This cycle isn't just annoying; it's proper exhausting. The constant guilt, the stress, the late nights it's enough to make you want to procrastinate thinking about procrastination!

The Science of Putting Things Off

The University of Calgary did this study where they found that 80% to 95% of university students procrastinate, especially when it comes to coursework. Ninety-five percent! That's not a problem; that's practically a universal human condition.

And get this researchers at Stockholm University found that procrastination actually increases stress and reduces wellbeing. Shocking, I know. Who would've thought that leaving everything to the last minute might stress you out?

But here's the kicker: our brains are wired for immediate reward. The pleasure of scrolling through Instagram gives us a little dopamine hit right now. The satisfaction of finishing that report? That's way off in the future. And our cave-dwelling ancestors didn't evolve to think about future rewards when there was a lion chasing them, did they?

The Breaking Point Moment

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act." – Proverbs 3:27

Last month, I had this massive project due. Like, career-defining stuff. And there I was, three days before the deadline, having done precisely nothing. Classic me.

I remember sitting at my desk, overwhelmed by the mountain of work ahead, genuinely considering if I could fake my own disappearance. Perhaps start a new life as a sheep farmer in New Zealand. Seemed reasonable at the time.

But then something clicked. That horrible, sinking feeling in my stomach the one that says, "You've messed up proper this time, haven't you?" it became too much. I remembered what Muhammad Ali said about counting sit-ups (you know, the one from my other blog post). And I thought, "Right, this is where it counts. This is where I either break through or break down."

I made myself a cup of coffee (because that's what most people do in crises), sat down, and just started. No plan, no structure, just action. And you know what? Once I started, it wasn't nearly as bad as I'd built it up to be in my head.

How to Beat the Procrastination Beast

So how do we stop this madness? How do we become those mythical "productive people" who do things before the last minute?

1. Break It Down, Way Down

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much." – Luke 16:10

Large tasks are scary. They make your brain go "Nope!" and suddenly you're watching videos of cats jumping into boxes. Instead, break that monster task into tiny, laughably small steps.

Need to write a 2,000-word essay? Start with "Open document." Then "Write title." Then "Write one sentence." Each little victory gives your brain a hit of dopamine, which makes you want to keep going.

2. The Two-Minute Rule

David Allen, in his book "Getting Things Done," suggests that if something takes less than two minutes, do it now. Two minutes! That's nothing. That's how long it takes to make a cup of tea (unless you're one of those people who lets it brew properly, in which case, good for you).

This rule stops small tasks from building up into an overwhelming mountain of doom. And hence, 2 minute noodles. 

3. Embrace the Pomodoro Technique (Or as I Call It, "Tomato Timing")

Work intensely for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Repeat. It's based on the idea that anyone can focus for 25 minutes, even me, even on my worst days.

I tried this last week. Set my timer, put my phone on do not disturb (the horror!), and just focused. It was like my brain forgot it was supposed to be distracting me. Magic.

4. Forgive Yourself for Past Procrastination

Research from Carleton University found that students who forgave themselves for procrastinating on a previous exam were less likely to procrastinate on the next one. Turns out, beating yourself up just makes you procrastinate more. Who knew?

So next time you find yourself having a Netflix marathon instead of doing your taxes, don't waste energy feeling guilty. Just acknowledge it, forgive yourself, and move on. Tomorrow's another day, innit?

Alright,

Look, we're all going to procrastinate sometimes. It's part of being human. The key isn't to become perfect at never procrastinating; it's to get better at catching yourself and turning things around before it's too late.

So next time you find yourself counting the number of bricks on your wall instead of working on that important project, take a deep breath. Remember that you're not alone in this struggle. And then, just start. Do one tiny thing. Then another. Before you know it, you'll be halfway there.

And if all else fails, just remember: the panic of the last minute is a powerful motivator. Sometimes, it's in those moments of pure, unadulterated terror that we do our best work.

Word of the day:

"Start. Just start." Because This is what we Do Now!