You Can Prevent Procrastination by Using Your Procrastination Habit to Your Advantage

I used to barely make it in time for summer vacation homework (or rather, I didn't make it).

Even as an adult, I would submit my year-end tax adjustments on the deadline (or rather, I didn't).

I also put off renewing my driver's license until the very last minute (I make it in time because I don't want my license suspended).

It's the same when I write notes.
I get stuck watching short videos, or I keep updating apps until the red notification badges are gone.

However, by learning about psychology and the brain, I improved my procrastination habit.
Now, I finish things with deadlines immediately, and I can prioritize the things I want to do.
I wish I could have taught this to my elementary school self.

The things I've realized since curing my procrastination habit are:
・I feel a sense of relief
・My mental state has stabilized
・I sleep better
・I can enjoy my hobbies more
There are various other benefits as well.

In this article, I will introduce a way of thinking to effectively utilize procrastination and improve your life.

1. Blaming yourself is counterproductive

Procrastination often leads to self-loathing and blaming yourself.
However, this is counterproductive.

Blaming yourself
↓
Feeling stressed
↓
Doing other things to relieve stress
↓
Ending up procrastinating
You fall into a negative loop.

Procrastination also has an aspect of "avoiding immediate threats," so it is a natural thing for the brain to do.

Even if you feel, "I'm trying to procrastinate right now," there is no point in blaming yourself.

Accept yourself and try to use your procrastination habit to your advantage.

2. Procrastinate on everything except what is important

What I mean by using your procrastination habit is "procrastinating on things that aren't necessary to do."

Try thinking, "Do I really need to do this right now?"
This is a technique for prioritizing and focusing your energy on what is important.
Put off unimportant things and focus on important tasks.

Put off small pleasures like games, TV, and smartphones.
Just get things done, and then you can enjoy them with a sense of relief.

3. Procrastinate on fun things

By putting off fun things, it becomes easier to maintain motivation.

A drink after work is the best, isn't it?
The pleasure after waiting is irreplaceable.

By putting off a sense of accomplishment or rewards, it becomes easier to focus on what is in front of you.

It is also a good idea to set a reward for after you finish.
In games, it's standard to receive immediate rewards, and the mechanisms that stimulate the brain are well-designed.

4. Make the first step easy

"Motivation follows action" is a basic principle of behavioral psychology.

It is important to start with a small step and gradually expand your actions.

"First, just do X"

・Just take the documents out to the table
・Just change your clothes
・Just turn off the TV
・Just put your smartphone aside

Anything that is even slightly related is fine.

5. Imagine the consequences of not doing it

Imagining the negative consequences of not doing it is also effective.

I am good at daydreaming, so I can do this easily.

This "future visualization" is an effective way to increase motivation and prevent procrastination.

Procrastination accrues interest. Let's compare the disadvantages of not doing it with the feelings you will have after finishing it.

Summary

・Blaming yourself accelerates procrastination
・Procrastinate on things other than what you need to do
・Procrastinate on fun things to amplify the enjoyment
・First, start with something simple
・Daydream about what will happen if you don't do it

Procrastination is by no means a bad thing. If you use this habit well, your ability to take action will increase as if you were a different person.

That is all.

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I would be happy if this was useful to you.