The good and the bad sides of procrastination

The Oxford dictionary defines procrastination as “the action of delaying or postponing something”. This is one trait that virtually every student struggles with at some point in one’s studies. There are about six identified types of procrastinators. These are as follows: Perfectionist, Dreamer, Worrier, Defier, Crisis-Maker, and Over-doer procrastinator.

Procrastination can be good at some point but can also be bad most times. While staying on Track, sometimes delaying some tasks can be a good thing. Though in many cases, procrastination can lead to loss of track and thus elevated levels of anxiety, panic, and self-doubt. It is worthy of note that if you desire to reduce procrastination you must assess your procrastination habits with a view to understanding the pattern.

What we need to understand is that procrastination is not a unique character deficiency in us or a diminished ability to manage time, but can be a way of coping with challenging feelings and negative moods induced by certain tasks. These include boredom, anxiety, insecurity, frustration, resentment, self-doubt etc.

Generally, a moderate procrastination can help give our brain time to process a task or problem, and give room for greater creativity and innovative ideas.

Meanwhile, active procrastination may not harm our health as it gives us more time to plan while allowing us time to finish other task. It promotes our ability to work efficiently.

There are also other disadvantages of procrastinating. Most often it leads to an elevated stress level and anxiety, as well as increase the probability of making mistakes when we eventually need to rush toward completion of a task or project. Putting things off until the eleventh hour can cause one to miss an important deadline.

Procrastination may lead to a variety of dangers and negative outcomes, including bad academic performance, bad financial status, and elevated rates of interpersonal relationship issues. It may also lead to a reduced wellbeing, and a bad mental and physical health status.

Most students that procrastinate a lot end up with a wide range of academic issues, such as lower quality work, bad exam scores, bad grades, increased academic misconduct and dishonesty, increased course failures, increased possibility of course withdrawals and likelihood of dropping out of school.

Studies have shown that people who procrastinate experience more stress than those who do not procrastinate, and their performance is lower (Seaward, 2011). It is also noted that procrastination is associated with poor decision making and unease, depression and anxiety.

There is a tendency to enter a vicious cycle of procrastination where one becomes overwhelmed with what must be done and the lack of enough time to do it, leading to increased stressed level, and a feeling of being completely stuck and unable to move forward. This eventually results to a lack of motivation as one enters an avoidance mode, rather than being in a drive mode.

Procrastination can limit our potential to achieve great things and undermine our growth in our chosen career. It can also undermine teamwork, reduce morale, and even lead to depression and loss of job. It is imperative to take proactive steps to prevent procrastination. The first step to overcoming procrastination is to recognize that you’re procrastinating. At that point you can make a conscious effort to stop procrastinating. It is a matter of decision.