Procrastination is when we put aside a task to do it later, delaying and delaying it more until the last minute or past the due date of submission.

This is a typical habit for us especially for students and young adults. Thinking that the deadline is far from now, they put it aside and do other things that interest them more than the task supposedly. Then, usually put it on the "Later List" even though it is supposed to be urgent or needs to be done thoroughly. Until then, the deadline is fast approaching, that's when they do it or maybe past the deadline already. Those who are practicing these are mostly students since they are the ones who have more leisure time and are surrounded by many distractions.

Effects of Procrastination

• Negative Effects

Since this is a bad habit, the effects of this are most likely negative. It is predictable enough that when you do a task at the last minute, the result will not be as bad as you have expected. This has a great impact on students' grades, schoolwork, and even their overall health. Students with young minds are very much sensitive when negative effects hit them back that can lead them to suffer a higher rate of guilt, stress, and anxiety. Other than that, procrastination can also be a cause of having low-esteem and depression because of the outcome of the tasks that are not done well.

• Positive Effects

It is clear enough that procrastination kicks away productivity but for one reason it does an advantage. In some research, it says that procrastinators are 28% creative than those who don't procrastinate. They can spread out ideas that come first onto their minds spontaneously. This research is conducted by Professor Adam Grant, a professor of management and psychology at the Wharton School.

How To Avoid It

If you are that determined enough to avoid it, here are some tips I can give to you.

1. This is urgent. Always think that every task is urgent. Those every task you will be given is needed to be done right now and never can be delayed even in a second.

2. This is a top priority task. Convince your mind that all your task is a priority and is badly needed to be done immediately before the deadline. It is much better if it is done much earlier than the deadline.

3. Put off distractions aside. Put aside anything that can distract you from doing your task. If your phone or other devices are bugging you while you are working, turn it off or hide it somewhere away from you so you can focus more on the task.

4. Do it now! No exemptions. No excuses. No alibis. Just do it!

5. Invite a friend or do it with your group. Sometimes it is indeed boring to do a task alone, especially when you are used to be with more people in doing such work. Then, to make the work fun, invite a friend or your group to do the task together. Discuss the ideas altogether and review the work altogether.

6. Write a reminder on your notepad. Jot down notes of tasks that are needed to be done every day and put them on the front cover of your Notebook or place them on your study table. You can also write it down on your Notepad app on your phone and set an alarm to remind you that you have to do it at that specific time.

My Final Thoughts

This will be more effective if you have the will to do it because it takes a lot of deep breaths and sighs to convince such a lazy mind and then, you have to find that particular determination you have in your heart even though you a very little amount of it. If you can finish all your tasks, the one that is got to benefit is still yourself; and if you delay it until the approaching deadline, the only one who is got to suffer yourself.

After finishing all the tasks, you are free to do what you want. You can allow yourself now to be tempted to things you longed to do more than your important task. You can open your phone and other devices and do whatever you want with them.

See when you have done all your task before the deadline. You don't have to worry anymore. You don't have to cram. You feel relaxed and refreshed. No hassle. No worries. No stress. No anxiety. Then, most of all you can be confident now all the time.