I did it again. For the umpteenth time, I have not submitted my assignment paper on time. Guess how much high my GPA would be without all deduction points I got during the time at school. How to stop being a procrastinator? My battle towards procrastination problem continues for years, but I still struggle in finding useful solutions. Deadlines stimulate my productivity, and most of the time, I successfully manage to complete my jobs in time. But trust me, I am not fulfilled at all. I am a Generation Z student, and this is the diary of a repentant procrastinator.
Procrastination is a flaw most of the human beings have, but honestly, I blame the ones proud of it. As discussed in the article the perks of being a procrastinator, I recognise this attitude can bring some benefits to people, especially the ones with a positive and optimistic mindset who like to enjoy life. Still, I am convinced the drawbacks to outweigh the strongpoints. Let’s analyse disadvantages to persuade about the benefits of time management.
I personally get frustrated when I complete projects being aware of having omitted some details due to lack of time left. Or guilty when I get positive grades with a few hours of work preparation. It is a sense of dissatisfaction caused by the awareness of having wasted an opportunity to learn and to express the maximum personal potential. I perceive Generation Z has a low ability to stay focused on activities for a long time, causing procrastination problems and lack of preparation in the long run. A generation affected by concentration difficulties mainly caused by screen staring. I wish I could have lived in another era with no personal devices available: especially mobile phones make you forget about daily goals. It is an addiction I am aware of, but I struggle to stop. And I make these considerations because I know fulfilment feelings generated by progress, fitness, and tiredness. Not from screen staring obviously.
I am in the process of growth and formation, and I have the perception of not assimilating enough knowledge. Generation Z is bombarded by information. Unfortunately, this information is so superficial and various that we do not master in any topic. On social media, we read hundreds of news, but we hardly go to analyse articles. At school, we do a lot of researches and projects, but we rarely discuss those topics with friends. Most of our action ends on themselves. Procrastinating approach to learning affects long-term knowledge. We remember everything the day after, but we easily forget it in the long run. From here, my dissatisfaction and shame. Having always behaved as a procrastinator, I regret all last-minute times dedicated to most of my past projects and studies. I always wonder If I could give a lecture on any topic to students. Excluding hobbies, probably not! Only because I know a few things of too many different topics. And I am convinced it is a characteristic of our technology-grown Generation Z.
So how to solve procrastination problems? Start to follow a not-to-do list, then try some tools suggested in the infographic below.
Do not use your mobile phone before and during working sessions: try to earn your leisure time to enjoy entertainment websites. Wake up in the morning, go out of the room, and come back at night to relax only after having accomplished your daily goals. Use breaks to rest or to talk to people.
Do not skip sports activities. Sometimes if more useful to take one step back to take two steps ahead. Dedicate time to your physical wellbeing: it contributes to working performance. If your legs are shaking (and you stay focused on that), it’s time to make a run.
Do not stay alone. People create positive pressure, try work surrounded by someone: you will feel embarrassed in showing laziness. If someone can check your progress, better.
Do not be afraid to talk. Share information with classmates and teammates. Share ideas and be motivated by others’ progress.
Do not focus on results. Analyse the path. Personal fulfilment comes with daily achievements and precision in work along time, grades are only a still frame which does not show the real effort.
So, how to stop being a procrastinator? If you have read all article in a row with no pauses and distraction, you are on the right track. I hope you enjoyed my analysis and got inspired by my tips. Please share the article if you feel me and comment below to suggest more solution to adopt. Let’s fight procrastination together!
Author: Mr. Luca Giovanni Banfi, Bachelor student in Hospitality and Business administration, at Hotel Institute Montreux (HIM), from Italy