Remote work has become the standard for numerous professionals, providing flexibility and the convenience of working from home. However, this freedom brings with it a notable challenge—procrastination. The act of delaying or postponing work even when one is aware that doing so could have adverse impacts is known as procrastination.
It is a common habit where individuals avoid important work by engaging in less critical or more enjoyable activities. Procrastination often results from lack of motivation, fear of failure, perfectionism, or poor time management skills. Procrastination can impede productivity, lead to unnecessary stress, and diminish the quality of work. To succeed in a remote work environment, employees need to implement strategies that keep them focused, driven, and accountable.
THE BIG QUESTION ARISES HOW AN INDIVIDUAL CAN OVERCOME THE TENDENCY TO PROCRASTINATE?
- Time Management Techniques: There are some time management techniques that well suits and helps in overcoming the procrastination. Individuals who emphasize on the satisfaction and rewards of completing task work best which helps in reducing their anxiety and fear. Those who are inflexible and emphasize on magnitude of tasks are counterproductive. Instead of making a huge list of “Things to do” set reasonable goals or break big tasks down which will give an individual the flexibility to work.
- Motivation: To overcome the procrastination an individual or students should focus on learning and lead towards the path of positivity & productivity. Some individuals are always concerned that if they will ask the questions or delve into new areas of learning they will look dumb. A good way to keep positive motives is to set and focus on your goals. An individual should first identify and write down the personal reasons for enrolling in a course and monitor the progress toward your goals using a goal-setting chart.
- Identify and Overcome Self-Doubt and Negative Thoughts: The first step in beating procrastination is identifying and combating the self-doubt and pessimistic attitudes that fuel task delays. Take a minute to objectively evaluate these beliefs and swap them out for affirmations that are uplifting. You may reduce the mental obstacles that cause procrastination by changing your perspective and concentrating on your strengths.
- Develop the attitude of self-discipline and self-control: Saying no to quick satisfaction can help an individual to stay focused on your work. Gain the capacity to put long-term objectives ahead of impulsive short-term actions. Developing self-discipline makes it easier for you to resist the urge to put off doing your work.
- Acknowledge small wins and progress: Celebrating minor victories and advancements can help to stay motivated and fight procrastination. Even if the task is small, give yourself a reward when you finish it.
- Maintaining a Good Work-Life Balance: Procrastination and burnout can be avoided by maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Prioritizing rest, relaxation, and self-care can help the people in handling their tasks more effectively. Procrastination is one of the avoidance behaviour’s that can result from burnout.
There are many more factors through which an individual can overcome procrastination such as outlook, commitment, surroundings, goals, self-talk, and flexible schedule. The pandemic has changed the attitudes of people towards remote work and it has become necessity for many organisations. Many new and unknown problems have arisen in the workplace which includes the supervision and monitoring of work performance and support of employees.
People tend to procrastinate due to lack of value because they often tend to think that they will not achieve what they are trying to achieve as they are very impulsive as a person. Procrastination is derived from the Latin term “Procrastinare” which means to postpone until tomorrow.
Many people try to learn from their mistakes and change their approach but people who are chronic procrastinators their feedback loop is broken. They never learn from their delays.
The experienced remote workers also face the challenges in maintaining their productivity as it is believed that productivity increases or is maintained when workers can focus on tasks and get their work done on time and disengage themselves from the work which causes them stress and maintain a healthy work life balance.
In many studies it has been found that people who worked from home are classified into three categories The Self – Employed who works exclusively from home, The Substitutors who are referred to as flexible works because their organisation allows them to work remotely to manage regularity in work, The Supplementers who work additional hours, usually unpaid which is outside the traditional working hours during evenings and weekends.
It can be concluded that Procrastination must be addressed if a productive and satisfying work environment is to be maintained. In addition to reducing individual productivity, procrastination can result in lost opportunities, postponed projects, and elevated stress levels.
Blog By:
Dr. Aditi Pareek
Assistant Professor
Biyani Girls College