Procrastination is when we deliberately keep pushing pending work to complete at a later time. The work may even be having an important talk with someone or even assignments and other types of labor. The effects of this may lead you to miss an important deadline or maybe a big opportunity. It is safe to say that procrastination is a vice in human beings, and it leads to nothing good.
Most of us have procrastinated on something at least once in our lives. But it becomes a problem when someone starts doing it frequently. A chronic procrastinator stands in much more danger than they realize.
Here are some effects of procrastination:
1. Loss of Precious Time
Time is the only wealth in the world that cannot be returned once lost. No matter what you do, you cannot take back lost time. Procrastinating leads too much loss in time that could have been otherwise employed after some other productive work. A student procrastinating damages their career, a person procrastinating damages their relationships, and so on.
The worst feeling that one can feel is being dissatisfied with oneself for not doing something in time. Something they could have easily accomplished if only they had not procrastinated.
2. Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
Usually, when someone procrastinates a lot, it is important to look into their psyche because fear may often motivate someone to procrastinate. When you let your work pile up and you are requited to finish it within a deadline, doing it all right before time is up is bound to make you stressed and anxious about missing deadlines. Continuation of this behavior leads to a lot of self-loathing and eventually depression. Depression is caused by several factors, including this.
If you are procrastinating on something with no deadline, the chances are that the thought of it will be constantly on your mind and stress you out.
3. Missing Opportunities
This is one of the greatest negative effects of procrastination. So many people work their whole lives towards a goal but end up failing because they procrastinate. Till a certain age, life gives you a lot of chances to rectify your mistakes. Once you’re thrust into the world of the adult rat race, great opportunities seldom present themselves more than once. Not being able to seize the chance and act on it while being completely capable is a tragic end to quality talent.
4. Lowered Self-Esteem
Once you start missing deadlines, goals, and chances, it becomes a pattern- like it’s a part of your personality. Wanting to do something but not doing it because the procrastination has set it must be a very frustrating feeling. All this self-pity eventually leads to loathing one’s personality, and from there, the self-esteem starts dropping. They become anti-social and depressed.
5. Bad-Reputation
Being punctual and true to their words is the mark of a well-liked person. No matter how accomplished you are, if you don’t take the initiative because you are a chronic procrastinator, then your reputation is bound to suffer damage. You will be leading your life and goals towards a steady decline.
A person with a habit of missing deadlines and with low self-esteem will seldom move forward in life. In the worst-case scenario, you will stop trying to improve yourself because you have convinced yourself that you are going to end up failing anyway. That’s the true negative side effect of procrastination.
6. Constantly Making Poor Decisions
Rushed and last-minute decisions that procrastinators are forced to take because they have wasted away their productive time into doing nothing useful. These decisions are almost always taken with impulsive emotions rather than that cool and rational head. Such rashness often leads people to make decisions that are not right for them. But they have to live with it because their vice of procrastination has left them with no other choice.
Conclusion
Some people learn well from their mistakes and refrain from repeating them. Some, however, don’t. But how to overcome this habit? Making your mind up with a strict resolve is the first step, and the second is finishing the most challenging work first. Make this a habit and reward yourself with little things to keep this up. Soon you will find that procrastination has become a thing of the past.
Procrastination is definitely something that I struggle with. You are right in the fact that it does cause depression. It is pretty vicious as well because it is really hard to get out of a procrastination period! What ideas do you recommend for getting out of something like this? My ideals are to just force through it, but it always sucks when you really don’t want to do something! Any apps you recommend for keeping people on track? I sometimes use the stay free app, it helps me limit wasting time on the internet!
Apps can certainly help, however for me it is your state of mind. No matter haw may apps you have downloaded you need set goals and stay focus. Do not wait for things to happen, make them happen
Another brilliant post wow! You understand how to put it into words really well. This feeling of procrastination comes very often and i feel may be one of the most neglected of all the issues the pertain peoples psyche. Honestly, reading the different downside that come from neglecting to realise you own procrastination is eye opening!
Thank you for reading and for your comment
Procrastination really does just more harm then good. And I definitely have problems with it in some areas of life. Which just causes me to be stressed or more upset. All depends on what other things I have to do. However it does get done when I can. In the end are there easier ways to stop procrastinating for someone with memory issues. ? If I can an idea it truly will help thanks.
Writing a list helps a lot, be realistic and tick as you get stuff done on your list. Treat yourself, celebrate tasks completed