SELECT * from blog WHERE id = 82PROCRASTINATION -By – Dr H.S Nagaraj BASE Education - Best Coaching for IIT-JEE Main & Advanced, NEET UG, KCET, Foundation
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Created On : 2018-11-29 02:39:46

Created On : 2018-11-29 02:39:46

PROCRASTINATION -By – Dr H.S Nagaraj

Procrastination is delaying things to be accomplished. Almost all of us procrastinate to some degree. In small measures, procrastination may slightly impact the academic and professional life. When people become chronic procrastinators, it can adversely affect their life and lead to failure. They fail because they do not do their duties, they do not take decisions, they miss opportunities in career and so on. It is estimated that about 80 – 90% of students procrastinate. Thus, procrastination is a monster standing between an individual and the life the individual wants to live.

Procrastinators fall into one of the 3 categories. The first category comprises of those who justify their delay by telling oneself “I’m too tired and I need to relax; I’m not a machine, I need to take a break.” “I’m not in my best mood.” “I’m too busy.” “The deadline for the task is far away, I will not start now.” “It is very late today, let me start tomorrow.”

The second category of people delay because they think “I will prepare better before starting – I may not do a perfect job if I start now.” “I may not be the competent person to do this.” “I may be seen as a failure if I do not do well.” “This job does not require my competence, anyone can do it.” “What is the immediate benefit I get by doing this task?” “I do not know how to start.”

The third category of people delay due to various distractions. This may be because the motivation and commitment levels are low. The reasons could be “There are more interesting things than this.” “This is not so important.” “I will meet my friends before I start my work.” “I will watch the television only for 10 minutes before I start studying.” “I will check my messages and email on my phone before I begin my work.”

The results of any kind of procrastination are many. Few of them are rushing to do things at the last moment and committing mistakes, building up anxiety, frustration, resentment, ill health and so on.

To avoid procrastination, we should consolidate all our strengths and do a thorough time-bound plan, identify time-slots for the tasks, prioritise and start making a routine of doing things on time. We should not allow reasons to justify the procrastination. We should enjoy our routine and reward ourselves at the completion of each task. For example, as a student, after finishing set tasks, I can reward myself by eating something I like or watching TV or meeting a friend.

Here is a story that illustrates the need to stop procrastination.

There was once a bird that built its nest and laid eggs in a wheat field. Everyday the mother bird flew to bring food for the young ones and the young birds would wait for their mother’s return. The wheat stalks grew tall and so did the birds. When the wheat started to ripe, the young birds were yet to learn to fly. One day the farmer came to the field with his son and said “I think the time has come to harvest the wheat. Son, why don’t you start harvesting from tomorrow?” The son replied “I have spoken to few of our neighbours and friends, they have promised to help us with the harvest. We will wait for them. Also I’m planning to go for a trek with my friends tomorrow. I will start the harvest once I’m back.” Listening to this, the young birds were scared. That day, when their mother returned, the young birds told her about the conversation between the farmer and his son. The wise mother bird said “Do not panic children. If the farmer’s son is waiting for neighbours and friends to help, he will not start the harvest anytime soon.” True to what the mother bird said, the farmer and his son did not come to the field for few more days. By then, the wheat was so ripe that when the wind blew, the grains started falling in the nest. The farmer and his son came to the field again. The young birds were all ears to listen to what they were talking. The farmer spoke “Son, its been a while since I asked you to harvest, but you have not started the work. If we do not start the harvest process immediately, we will lose half the crop.” The son responded “I understand that I cannot delay anymore and lose more crop. I will start the harvesting process myself.” The young birds told their mother the farmer and his son’s plans. When the mother heard the whole conversation, she said “We must leave this nest immediately. When a person stops depending on others for help and decides to do the task on hand without giving any excuse, then he will surely do what he sets out to do.” Saying this, the mother bird and her young ones flew to another spot to build another nest.

One of the take-aways from this story is to stop procrastination and start doing things. List few more.

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