PROCRASTINATION IS PERILOUS

Definition: Literally, Procrastination is often defined as the action of delaying or postponing something. Procrastination is described as the act or habit of procrastinating, or putting off or delaying, especially something requiring immediate attention.  Procrastination is the action of unnecessarily and voluntarily delaying or postponing something despite knowing that there will be negative consequences for … Psychology tend to define Procrastination as the act of delaying or putting off tasks until the last minute, or past their deadline. Some researchers define procrastination as a “form of self-regulation failure characterized by the irrational delay of tasks despite potentially negative consequences. The truth of life is that everyone puts things off sometimes, but procrastinators chronically avoid difficult tasks and may deliberately look for distractions and excuses.   Procrastination tends to reflect a person’s struggles with self-control.   For habitual procrastinators, who represent approximately 20 percent of the population, “I don’t feel like it” comes to take precedence over their goals or responsibilities, and can set them on a downward spiral of negative emotions that further deter future effort.  Procrastination also involves a degree of self-deception: At some level, procrastinators are aware of their actions and the consequences, but changing their habits requires even greater effort than completing the task in front of them.

Procrastinating becomes a problem only when it hinders your relationships or getting your work done. For about one in five adults, procrastination is a real, long-lasting problem.    New evidence suggests that procrastination doesn’t just hurt your work, it may also seriously damage your health. … Evidence suggests that putting off important tasks causes stress, and this additional stress contributes to negative psycho-physiological impacts on the body which increase our vulnerability for illness. A procrastinator is a person who unnecessarily postpones decisions or actions. For example, a procrastinator might constantly postpone choosing a topic for an essay that they need to write on or they might delay getting started on an assignment that they have to complete. Procrastinators can procrastinate in every area of their life and some people procrastinate in certain domains but not in others. For example, one person might be a procrastinator when it comes to academia, while someone else might be a procrastinator when it comes to their health. Furthermore, procrastinators can use various methods in order to procrastinate. For example, one procrastinator might distract himself from a task by browsing social media, while another procrastinator might try to avoid dealing with important tasks that they have to complete by constantly dealing with trivial matters instead.

Amber Pitt on The 4 Types of Procrastinators writes,” We all procrastinate, most of us, without really considering the reasons why we are doing it. We tend to assume that we procrastinate because we are weak or because we would rather be doing something more enjoyable. There are four types of procrastinators: the anxious, the fun, the “plenty of time”, and the perfectionist. We’re going to look further into these four types of procrastinators and offer some advice on overcoming this behavior.”

Procrastination: Three main types of procrastination by Frank Daley. Procrastinators fall into three main types:

1. Delayers,
2. Perfectionists
3. The easily distractible.

They’re all different but they all suffer the same kinds of dire consequences from the “thief of time” when they put things off. I used to think that procrastination was a function of poor time management. I thought we put things off simply because we didn’t know how to use time well. It isn’t true.  Even though time management problems play a part in procrastination, but the chief culprit is a lack of self-knowledge, just as time management is a function of self-knowledge. If we knew ourselves better we could create firm goals and priorities and act on them. We would be able to say “No” to things that stopped us from achieving our goals and we would reduce procrastination immeasurably. Procrastination is the art of putting off today whatever we might do later in the hazy future.
The top theorists, although they disagree on the causes, believe it is inherently natural. All humans everywhere, in every era, have suffered the consequences of procrastination. However, as natural as it may be, it is not without consequences, most of them unpleasant. In fact, we get into a hell of a lot of trouble when we put off important things.

Undertsanding Procrasination: In its simplest terms, procrastination is the avoidance of a task that we need to accomplish. We call it the “thief of time ”It can become a significant enough problem to handicap one’s progress in life personally, academically and professionally. Recent studies indicate that between 84 and 87 per cent of people procrastinate (and most of the other people just haven’t gotten around to reporting it. I absolutely agree that doesn’t include you!). We all procrastinate to some degree. For a few people, it’s a minor issue. For most, it is a source of considerable stress and anxiety. It is a huge thing standing between them and the lives they want to live.

THREE MAIN TYPES OF PROCRASTINATORS: There are three main types of procrastinators. (See if any of them do describe you.)

1) DELAYERS: These people have a hard time getting started on any task. They put things off for all kinds of reasons such as…

• Fatigue (“I’m too tired”)
• Busyness (“I don’t have time to do that right now”)
• Self-indulgence  (“I need to relax”)
• Misplaced self-regard (“I need a break!”)
• Wrong frame  of mind  (I don’t feel like doing that now; I’ll feel more like it later”)
• Late day blues (It’s too late to start that today; I’ll do it tomorrow when I’m fresh”)

2). PERFECTIONISTS:.Those who get bogged down in details. These folks start a task but they can’t finish it because it isn’t perfect. It’s not considered ready to be seen or judged because…

• People will think it’s incomplete.
• People will think I’m incompetent.
• They won’t trust me to do that again.
• I can do a better job with two more revisions.

3). DISTRACTIBLES: Those who are too distractible. These people always find something else to do that offers them immediate gratification rather than the satisfaction completing the task would bring. The distractions often involve Tech toys  (games), TV, The computer (MSN, trolling, Googling, etc.), Eating, Going to the mall, Seeing a small thing that hasn’t been done that grabs their attention, Email etc.

WHERE DOES IT ALL LEAD? Even in small doses, procrastination can lead to feelings of:guilt, anxiety, dissatisfaction, depression, self-loathing, Often in that order.
Not only is the required task not getting accomplished (a feat, by the way, which would produce feelings of success, pride, relief and accomplishment), but the procrastinator is also harboring the painful and troubling feelings mentioned above even as he “enjoys” playing video games or watching some dumb reality show instead of doing the task. These feelings increase proportionally according to how long we delay the task and they are damaging to the sufferer’s self-esteem and sense of peace. In other words, if you have something important to you hanging over your head, you cannot really enjoy anything. Procrastinators are most often aware of what they are doing, but that rarely makes it easier to stop. We tell ourselves we will get to it tomorrow or after the holidays or after a particular stress is passed; in other words, “when we are more able to do the job.” Of course, this magical time never presents itself, and the struggle continues.

Procrastination is when you keep putting something off that you should be doing now – to another time. There are a lot of reasons people procrastinate: fear, anxiety, or an unwillingness to face change… Maybe even a fear of success. The truth is that when we procrastinate, we are setting off a chain reaction of events that can negatively impact others – not just ourselves. And God calls us to do good for one another. When we procrastinate, we are actually doing the opposite of good!

THE PROBLEM OF PROCRASTINATION by Dr. Ann Barnes and Dr. Jennie Ozan

Perhaps with the holidays ending you have been thinking about cleaning out your closets or organizing the office. You are in luck! January is National Organization Month. People often use the cold months of January and February to focus on becoming more organized. Unfortunately, many individuals find themselves in a cycle of procrastination, berating themselves, and believing that they are just “lazy”. However, twenty percent of Americans identify themselves as procrastinators. Procrastination can be a serious impediment to feeling successful in life. If you are a procrastinator you may not benefit from a weekly planner, as failure to follow your planner may only leave you feeling defeated.

Some procrastinators may acknowledge enjoying the thrill of pulling off a big job at the last minute. Others admit to avoiding the tasks due to their fear of failure or success. A student may prefer to be thought of as “stupid” or “lazy” than to risk writing a report that does not live up to their parents’ standards. Others may be struggling with the process of decision making. For example, a worker may think they need to clean their office but cannot begin as the thought of starting the task becomes overwhelming as they contemplate that file drawers need cleaning as well. Thus, the need for perfection may win out over the accomplishment of a job well done.

Procrastination can be a learned response to growing up in a harsh, authoritarian, and controlling family and may be a way to rebel. Young procrastinators may turn to friends for support who sympathize with their excuses. As an adult, a procrastinator may use drugs or alcohol to sooth the pain of unrealized goals. Procrastination may also be a symptom of an anxiety disorder, including obsessive-compulsive disorder or ADD/ADHD.

Below are a few questions to ask yourself if you think you may have a serious procrastination problem:

• Do you have excessive anxiety and worry?
• Are you unable to control your worry?
• Do you have problems concentrating, maintaining focus, or does your mind go blank?
• Do you have problems falling asleep or staying asleep?
• Do you distract your self with easy task in order to feel accomplished and avoid what you need to be doing?
• Do you begin one task and find yourself distracted by another, never completing the first task?
• Do you avoid tasks that require sustained mental concentration?
• Do you often lose things?
• Do you have trouble throwing things away because you may believe you may use them in the future?
• Do you have difficulty giving items away that you do not use but continue holding onto them because you are concerned that getting rid of them would be wasteful as you spent money on them or that letting go of it would mean a loss of a memory associated with them?
• Does your problem with procrastination impede your work success or annoy your colleagues or family members?

If you believe that your problem is beyond the assistance of a daily reminder on your calendar you may want to seek professional help. Chronic procrastinating is a symptom that can be helped. Cognitive-behavioral techniques can be learned to move you from procrastination to satisfying performance

Some of the most common reasons for what causes procrastination include:

• Perfectionism
• Fear of failure
• Fear of criticism
• Avoidance
• Low self-esteem
• A tendency to self-defeat
• Depression
• Trouble focusing
• ADHD
• Waiting until the last minute
• Task aversion
• Resisting challenges
• Decision fatigue
• Difficulty defining goals
• A disconnect with the future self
• Lack of energy
• When it comes to specific reasons why people procrastinate, in terms of demotivating and hindering factors, the following are among the most common:
• Abstract goals.
• Rewards that are far in the future.
• A disconnect from our future self.
• Feeling overwhelmed.
• Task aversion.

Procrastination prevents you from reaching your full potential—in your relationships, career, and beyond. It impedes teamwork, decreases self-esteem, and even leads to depression and job loss. On top of that, people avoid important wellness habits like going to the doctor or regular exercise.

Bible Verses About Procrastination: Here’s some good news.  If you’ve ever asked yourself, “what does the Bible say about procrastination,” the answer is that it says a lot.  In particular, Proverbs is loaded with Bible verses about procrastination. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.” – Romans 7:20. This above verse here states procrastination just not a good idea, but we’re also actually sinning when we procrastinate.  This really convicts me.  Today is one of those days that I’m really tired, and I’m trying to give myself all sorts of excuses.  For a good part of the day, I succeeded at talking myself out of doing anything productive.  But that’s a sin.  And that’s poor stewardship of the gifts that God has given me.  Just plain act of disobedience;  It’s not OK.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.” – Ecclesiastes 9:10

Everything we’ve been given here on earth is a gift… it is our portion from the father.  Like in the verse above, it is a sin to waste those gifts.  God created us for his glory, and he wants us to live life abundantly on this side of the grave.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:33 

This is the bottom line: In everything we do, we need to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness.  Do you think if we truly did that in every moment that we would still procrastinate?  I don’t think so- not at all. We can’t let fear… or laziness… or anxiety… or any other host of reasons stop us from being faithful to our calling and faithful to the Lord.  We are here to build His kingdom.  We can’t do that while binging Netflix every Single night. God uses His word to communicate with us, and it turns out, He’s very clear on the issue of procrastination.

Here are some more Bible verses about procrastination.  Grab your Bible and study through each of them.  Understand the context, and understand the call.  And then, instead of procrastinating- go and do!  We can read libraries full of books on personal development, work ethic, fear of failure, procrastination, and more… but none of them can compete with the ultimate book.  Here are even more Bible verses about procrastination:

• And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9
• For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. – Hebrews 12:11
• We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. – John 9:4
• I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13
• So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. – James 4:17
• You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. – Luke 12:40
• Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil.Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. – Eph. 5:15-17
• He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. – Ecclesiastes 11:4
• Proverbs about Procrastination: The Book of Proverbs is rich with wisdom on so many topics.  Procrastination is no exception!  Here is a list of just some of the Proverbs about procrastination:
• A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. –Proverbs 10:4
• Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. – Proverbs 12:25
• The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. –Proverbs 13:4
• In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. – Proverbs 14:23
• Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. – Proverbs 18:9
• The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing. – Proverbs 20:4
• Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. – Proverbs 21:17