“Do not put off till tomorrow what you can do today…”

Sometimes many of us say: “Ok, I will do this after that…, or I will do this tomorrow…” What happens with us? Why can´t we stop for leaving/postponing something? Why we replace our activities?

Can we give a name to this kind of action? Yes, we can, this kind of action is called Procrastination.

In the world a lot of people have “problems” postposing tasks. So, what does procrastination mean?

It´s a voluntary tendence to replace or postpone something in the time, you have the intention of postponing this considering that when we decide to postpone our tasks it is a conscience decision, and we know that it could bring negative consequences. Generally, this happens when we don´t enjoy doing something, when we have to do something that make us feeling bored or when we realize that if we are working on something, that means that we aren´t working on others…

At the moment of speaking about postponing a task we focus on the beginning of it, when you have to finish it in the last minute, when you exceed the time limits to complete it or even you avoid doing this.

So, when somebody decides not to do anything we can say that the person is an active procrastinator because in that decision He / She leaves out some tasks that must be completed.

Frequently, when you prefer not to do something it is a consequence of doing that tasks activates a specific part of our brain associated with pain. Naturally, our brain looks for a way to stop that negative stimulus redirecting you’re the attention to a different focus, to a task that provides pleasure to you.

Several investigations showed that behaviors related to procrastination are connected with low self-esteem, deficit in self-confidence, deficit of self-control, depression, bad time management, disorganized behaviors and in some cases perfectionism, dysfunctional impulsivity and anxiety.

So, if you want to stop being a procrastinator, read the following tips:

The first tool you could use is called “Pomodoro”. It was invented by Francesco Cirillo in 1980. The only object element that you need is a timer which we often use for cooking.

1st. Put the timer in 25 minutes and switch off your telephone, apps, or any distractor.

2nd. Focus on your task.

3rd. Give yourself a little reward when you finish it. This reward will allow your brain changes your focus for mental relaxing.

Negative consequences:

. High stress´s levels

. Low production

. Frustating fellings

But everything isn´t negative about procrastination because if we think in the most important and great original people in history of our World like Leonardo da Vinci, (who toiled on and off during sixteen years on the Mona Lisa, time that allowed him to change the perspective, lights, etc), we can think of him as a procrastinator. So, procrastinating is a vice when it comes to productivity, but it can be a virtue for creativity.

Definitely, procrastination isn’t shameful, a flaw or a sign of weakness.

If you want to decrease procrastination:

1- Be aware of what you’re doing and why you are doing it.

2- Consider the balance; think all the reasons why you want and don´t want to do this activity. It might help to remind yourself of how completing the fits into your goals and objectives.

3- If your task is big, break it down in a small list of tasks to abord them. But be careful, don’t make a list that will invite you to procrastinate further.

These tips can help you not to be a procrastinator forever but remember: live your life with free moments out of lists, following your emotions.