What Causes Procrastination – A Basic Understanding for Career Newbies
Time management and what causes procrastination are issues you as a newbie pursuing career success would face some time in your career. In some cases, when procrastination occurs the question that comes to mind is – does this person have a time management problem? If you do have a time management problem then the answer is obvious, you will need to pick up time management skills.
Sometimes procrastination isn’t just about poor time management skills. If you have good time management skills and still procrastinate, then you may want to take a look at these causes of procrastination.
1. The Task Isn’t Meaningful And Motivating
This is one main reason what causes procrastination. The task at hand isn’t motivating to you, as it does not match your aspiration. It is not meaningful to you and therefore you drag your feet in completing the task.
If this is what causes procrastination for you, then you can overcome it by making it meaningful. One way is to see the task in the bigger scheme of things. Hence, how completing that task contributes to the organization and your career growth.
2. Feels Like Helping Someone Complete Their Goals
Let’s face it; sometimes in the working world jobs are assigned to you against your wishes. There is then a tendency to think that completing the task is helping someone accomplish their goals instead of your own. In such cases, you hardly want to commit the time to it. Is this what causes procrastination for you? If this is the case, understand your role. Each of us has a role to play in an organization. And each has the responsibility to do their best. That contributes to the bigger goal.
3. Care Too Much About What Others Think About You
To determine if this is what causes procrastination for you, you need to dig deep into yourself. I have seen it in young executives - they want to impress others so much that when given a task they feel so much pressure that it delays their work.
The term for it is ‘evaluation anxiety’. You are too anxious about other’s opinion of your work. Once you know this is what causes procrastination for you, do this – Do Your Best. Doing your best means accomplishing your task. If you care so much of other people's opinions and delay your work, then the repercussions can be much worse.
4. Striving For The Perfect
It sounds weird, but perfectionism can be what causes procrastination. You may want to strive for perfectionism so much that you feel disheartened even before you begin. This is because a goal that seems unachievable can be demoralizing.
If the strive for perfectionism is what causes procrastination for you, remember this – doing your best is more important. You can’t measure perfectionism but you know when you have given your best.
5. Doing Things Totally New To You
This is a common cause of procrastination for many career newbies. You need to embark on a totally new project and they have no idea at all on how to tackle it. The first reaction is to procrastinate. The uncertainty of the result of this task causes you to delay commencing the project.
Do you know if this is what causes procrastination for you? Then do this – learn up the skill to complete the task. Ask people who have completed similar tasks before. The key thing is to do your research and lessen the uncertainty in your mind.
6. The Lack Of Confidence
Another common cause of procrastination is the lack of confidence in completing a task. It can be real that you lack the skills but sometimes it may be a perception that you lack the skill. Because of this you may totally avoid completing the task.
This cause of procrastination is easily avoidable. If you truly lack the skill then training is an obvious option. Someone to show you the ropes will also help. Ask yourself, is it a perception or is it real that I lack the skill?
Now that you know what causes procrastination, work on these one step at a time. Remember, change is slow and gradual.
| More Articles About Managing Time |
Time Management At Work: Get More Work Done By Doing These Simple Things Today
Time management at work and how you can do better with these techniques.
Improve Productivity: Stop the Pantry Chats and Cigarette Breaks Banter
Improve productivity by monitoring time stealers.
Why Is Time Management Important To You
It is interesting to see there are some people who would still ask – ‘Why is time management important?’ As if the benefits aren’t obvious enough. Or I reckon they probably have not tried time management hence the benefits never occurred to them. For those who are here and wonder why is time management important, then I hope these quick answers will get you on the right track and start managing your time more purposefully.
Prevent Procrastination: Do It Now
We've all been there, and procrastinate for simplest of reasons. Time to stop. Here's what we need to do to prevent procrastination, successfully.
Time Management In The Workplace: 5 Quick Tips For Newbies In The Workforce
For those who want to manage personal efficiency, time management in the workplace is a necessary consideration.
Do Not Waste Any Time Anymore: Avoid The Time Robbers
Do not waste any time. Here's how you can manage your time and avoid the time robbers.
Importance Of Time Management For Career Success
You cannot underestimate the importance of time management in your pursuit for career success. Here's why.
Prioritize Your Work: Do Not Confuse Busyness with Business
Do you prioritize your work well? Doing more yet feel less productive?
Time Management Skill: 3 Reasons Why It Is Important to The Success of Career Newbies
Time management skill is an essential skill a career newbie needs to possess. Here are the top 3 reasons why.
How To Plan Your Day By Preplanning Your Day
7 effective steps on how to plan your day productively.
Time Management Tool – Skills to Pick Up To Create Your Own Tool
As an executive, managing your time can be challenging. This article helps you identify the right time management tool to effectively focus and take charge of your time.
Are You A Procrastinator? What Causes Procrastination?
This article identifies the causes of procrastination at work and how to overcome it.
For more great articles delivered to your Inbox, please signup for our FREE ezine.
Your Time Management Tips - Share with Us!
Give us the details, so you can help others manage their time better.
101 Great Ways to Enhance Your Career
3 years ago, I was invited to participate as a contributing author together with 100 other career experts to create a book called 101 Great Ways to Enhance Your Career. In my chapter, Work Attitude, I discuss how you need to define your attitude at work as critical step to career success. You will be getting career advice up close an personal from some of the best people in their fields like Brian Tracy.
101 Great Ways to Enhance your Career Today!
Over 100 of the World's Leading Career Experts have joined together to give you the complete collection of 101 insider secrets that show you how to instantly and positively enhance your career! In this new book, experts including Tory Johnson, Laura DeCarlo, Brian Tracy, Charlotte Weeks, Long Yun Siang will give you quick, simple and proven Career secrets. To learn more about this special offer go here: 101 Great Ways to Enhance your Career
Learn & Grow: Join Our Newsletter
What's Hot
Every month, we bring you new articles based topics suggested by you. We hope to be able to give you tips and suggestions, and provide answers to your questions that you will find helpful.
Being Happy at Work – 6 Tips to Be Happy at Work
Create Time – How To Get More Time In Your Day at the Office
Pursue Your Dreams – 7 Things to Keep in Mind and Do
Great Day at Work – How to Achieve a Happy Day at Work
Release Your Tension – How to Feel Relax Before Going to Work
Powerful Words That Keep You Motivated at Work
Start Here: The Newbies Guide
If you are new to this site and don't know where to start, start here by reading our most read articles.
Definition of Success?
How To Get Promoted
Define Your Attitude
Why Is Time Management Important?
Work Attitude Behavior & Work Behavior Attitude?
What Job Suits Me?
Attitude At Work: When People Don’t Like You
Positive Thinking In The Workplace
Personal Goal Setting
How To Find Your Dream Career
Positive Attitude in The Workplace
Define Leadership
How To Move Up The Corporate Ladder
Developing Leadership Skills At Work
Developing Positive Attitude At Work