Your presentation is due tomorrow, yet you are binge watching your favorite series.
Well, you are not alone because most people are no strangers to procrastination. Most of us are guilty of procrastinating at some point.
According to the HealthHub, procrastination refers to the intentional act of delaying a task or goal in favour of doing something less important or more pleasurable with no valid reason, despite the negative consequences of doing so.
The reason most people procrastinate varies and is not always obvious. Sometimes it is a hidden fear that we don’t want to acknowledge, or it could even be as simple as not wanting to do something because it just doesn’t motivate us. Unfortunately for others, it steals dreams and can even destroy lives.
Whatever the reason may be, if you know you are a procrastinator, Life Hack notes these effects of procrastination that can destroy your life:
Blowing opportunities
How many opportunities have you wasted because you didn’t take advantage of them when they were there?
What you don’t realise is that the opportunity could have been life-changing, but you missed out on it.
Most opportunities only come around once and you are never guaranteed a second chance.
Sabotaging your goals
Procrastination seems to come on with full force when we entertain the thought of goals, wanting to achieve or change something. You might have a strong desire to change, but you just can’t seem to take the first step forward. Maybe you set yourself a goal but you take no action.
Ruining your career
The way you work directly affects your results on how much you achieve, and how well you perform. So the effects of procrastination can end up being detrimental to your career if you’re constantly procrastinating.
Damaging your reputation
When you keep saying you will do something and you don’t, your reputation gets tarnished. Nobody wants empty promises.
Risking your mental health
If you procrastinate too much with something, it will most likely start to stress you out and cause anxiety, especially when other people or things are involved. If you are often stressed or you get easily overwhelmed and anxious, this leads to poor health outcomes.
Also see: Keeping up with the Joneses: The mental health damaging mindset
