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Are you the type to put everything off until tomorrow? Procrastination is a real obstacle to productivity! Here is a rather pleasant technique to help you get rid of this bad habit.
Because we are lazy, no time, there is more interesting to do or it stresses us out, there is always a good reason to procrastinate. However, this habit is far from effective and is more like a real curse in which you find yourself never doing what is planned. Fortunately, a method could help you by allowing you to combine business with pleasure. This technique is that of: “timptation bundling”.
What is the “temptation bundling” method?
When we have difficult things to do, there are two schools. Some people do whatever bothers them first, then focus on what they like best. The other part of the population chooses to start easy and end with chores.
The problem ? By saving the less “fun” tasks for last, there is a big risk of not doing them, especially if you have limited time. This is when procrastination sets in and the eternal postponement of tasks begins.
Fortunately, to put an end to this curse, there is the technique of “temptation bundling” which consists of linking business with pleasure. This consists of allowing yourself small pleasures, on one condition: you must carry out a task that you consider “hard” at the same time. Example: you are allowed to watch a film only if you iron your clothes at the same time. Another example: you can listen to the new album by your favorite artist when you go running.
Thus, playing on these small momentary pleasures can help you carry out actions that are more unpleasant but which will give you more gratification once completed. With this technique, you will be more motivated to complete your chores and will have less guilt about enjoying certain hobbies.
Good in his body, good in his head!
What are the causes of procrastination?
To fight procrastination deeply, you also need to understand the reasons why you procrastinate. Adopting this type of behavior can be a way to relieve your anxiety. Indeed, by postponing a task that generates stress, you temporarily avoid feeling this negative feeling. However, keep in mind that you will have to face it one day and that postponing action can often make it even more stressful.
Procrastination can also be linked to a lack of self-esteem and a way of refusing to fail. Because you don’t try, you can’t fail. However, by wanting to do too well and in a “perfect” way, you self-sabotage and prevent yourself from acting. Besides, not trying is actually a shame: you never know, you could succeed the first time… or learn from your mistakes in order to try again later!
Finally, another reason could push you to postpone everything until tomorrow: the difficulty in assessing the time and duration that a task will take you. Indeed, people with these difficulties will tend to quickly become overwhelmed and forced to postpone until the next day what they have not had time to do. A word of advice: make lists “feasible” and prioritize the tasks to be accomplished.