Procrastination

I have heard even successful people (who has achieved a lot) complaining about the problem called procrastination.

Procrastination by definition is putting off works till the last minute, that is unless a reward or punishment is imminent one postpones doing what one is expected to do.

This phenomenon is witnessed among monkeys. They would not do things unless they either see a stick or a plantain. No wonder we too have inherited their habit.

But by suppressing a gene that makes dopamine chemical (which seems to be the reward learner), one can make monkeys to work consistently. So if we want a person to be workaholic then all we have to do is suppress that gene.

 And other research studies point out many other causes for human beings to procrastinate.  –  fear of failure, fear of success, temptation, laziness, lack of purpose and motivation … etc. But working out on fears and purposes is a long short. Many ‘Time management’ books are becoming best sellers because; they rarely help a person to stop procrastinating.

For me procrastination sounds similar to the management concept ‘Just in Time’. I can’t understand why people perceive procrastination as a problem. What is the point is doing something today, which can be done tomorrow?

For me procrastination is not a problem, it is strength, since our mind has learned that things can be done at the last minute, we do it at the last minute. If it were to have caused problems and pains then we will not dare to postpone. Nothing that sort has happened, hence we procrastinate.

Suppose repeatedly I have faced dire consequences due to procrastination, then something is seriously wrong and we definitely need medical (genetic operation) or psychiatrist’s help. Otherwise one should not too much worry about procrastination.

If creatively we use procrastination, it can become our best habit. Suppose I want take revenge, and I decide to procrastinate on it, my image among friends will be better off (they might treat me as a living saint). Suppose I want to smoke and decide to procrastinate on it, my health will improve ( of course ITC will not be happy about it).

So if you have the tendency to procrastinate, then do not treat it as a problem, it is one more positive habit in your repository, you can use it when it is necessary to make life enjoyable.