The So Called "Smart" Procrastinator

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Time is really the only capital that any human has, and the only thing he can't afford to lose - Albert Einstein

It’s pretty nonchalant sometimes to be under stress, it’s a weird comment, but sometimes it’s really like that. Some people work better under a time constraint, while others end up in a minefield. How we handle time ultimately makes up our resulting behaviour, which would explain why most of the time… I’m lazy.

Procrastination just sounds so good, you know. You get to relax, not care about the work you have. But it’s a bad habit.

And I still go through it. Even right now. It’s a problem and an addiction I need changing, and it even affected my sleeping patterns which, of course, became worse because I do work at ungodly hours. Thus, it affected my immune system too.

NOT. A. GOOD. IDEA!

So, why is it so hard for me to stop??

Since the habit accumulated over the years, it’s been almost natural to procrastinate, and it really messes with me, it makes me mad at how it’s negatively affecting me. No matter how many times I fix my sleeping habit, it gets worse cause I end up doing something at the wrong time. And this calls my attention since my health gets impacted, and I found out how bad it affects our heart and brain capacity. So, yikes!

I used to think I was “Smartly” procrastinating since I was still organized but now that I’m aware of how bad my time management is, I need to stop and try to do better.

Consequently, because of my irritation on myself, I tested out the Pomodoro Technique for three days.

Usually, the timer lasts 25 minutes, but I felt like I wouldn’t progress in such little time, especially since my attention span – just like every teenager – is low. It needed my utmost concentration not to get distracted, and it felt awful the first day. It was a completely new feeling to follow a timer and have a break. Since the usual practice was long work hours, then take a longer break…. Haha.

But I slowly got used to it, and I was able to complete my task.

The second and third day; it gradually got better. I would get shocked that 25 minutes ended quickly, and I finished the required work too!! And I got super motivated.

The slight change in literally three days was quite a lot. And I finished a small portion of another assignment, too, before its draft submission.

I used to think it would be hard to fix my procrastination, but after experiencing and trying the Pomodoro Technique, it will be a proper practice from now on. I feel more motivated, productive and mentally better. I also used the time management matrix to follow too.

Recommended Readings/Videos

How doing the right thing at the wrong time hurts your productivity - Smart Business Plan

How to Stop Procrastinating - Ali Abdaal

How a student changed her study habits by setting goals and managing time - Yna Savitsk (TED)

Try out the Pomodoro!