What Happens when we Procrastinate
What Happens when we Procrastinate
All of us are guilty of procrastination at one time or another. An important project can get pushed to the back burner for a number of reasons; lack of time, lack of information or lack of motivation. But when your tendency to procrastinate becomes just that - a tendency - the consequences of the act can become far reaching and even serious. For some, simply examining these consequences is enough to eliminate the urge to procrastinate. For others, the process may require more effort and even professional counseling to get back on track and say goodbye to procrastination once and for all. For now, let's focus on the consequences of procrastination that make this phenomenon a difficult and dangerous one indeed.
How Procrastination Affects your Health
More colds. More digestive disorders. Insomnia. Tension headaches. All of these symptoms can be the direct result of a person's decision to procrastinate on important projects and tasks. Why? Because studies have shown that living in a constant state of elevated stress can compromise the immune system and lead to a variety of health concerns. When you are living in a perpetual state of running from fire to fire, as most procrastinators are, you will most definitely be living in a constant state of stress and anxiety. And your body may be the first to feel the effects of that stress in very real and visible ways.
Getting the Job Done
Or not getting the job done, as people who regularly procrastinate will find. Even when you do manage to meet deadlines on projects, you will have to live with the knowledge that you were not able to do your best work in such a limited amount of time. This is hardly satisfying for anyone who takes pride in a job well done. You may wipe your brow and breathe a sigh of relief, but the satisfaction and self confidence is just not there. And that is if you actually manage to finish a task. In many cases where folks procrastinate, the job does not get done sufficiently at all. This can result in a bad grade at school or a negative report from your boss. Not the stuff that achievement and advancement are made of.
The consequences for people who procrastinate can be big and far reaching. If you find yourself in this lifestyle mode, consider the consequences that you are bringing onto yourself for leaving things until the last minute. Don't put it off any longer. Get a handle on your procrastination today.