Have you ever failed to do everything from your previously established plan? Did something still prevent you from tackling the topic and finishing it on time? If so, there are chances that you have fallen into the trap of procrastination. 

Procrastination is a phenomenon belonging to the field of psychology and might be interpreted as a situation when a person postpones or pushes away the performance of important tasks in favor of the small and pleasant ones. This happens because the former tasks are often less pleasant and the person is less willing to perform them. The inconvinient fact is that procrastination affects all social groups no matter the status or profession. Furthermore, it is associated not only with postponing the execution of business orders, but also with household chores or life decisions that are necessary to fulfill on a given date. 

Is procrastination the same as laziness? 

For many people procrastination is interpreted in the same way as being lazy, however, one should be aware of the fact that is a wrong reasoning. The first group who procrastinates bare in their minds that the activities they have planned must be done and they want to finish them. On the other hand lazy people are loath to do anything, therefore, they do not postpone the activities, they do not even plan them. The very important topic to Focus on is the genesis of procrastination, what are its causes? One might take into account the division into internal and external factors. The first group includes such things as a person’s personality, his or her general motivation or beliefs, often adopted at the stage of adolescence. They can have a significant impact on such a person’s approach to daily tasks and organization. On the other hand, external causes can include overloading with tasks that far exceed human capabilities, lack of time to perform a given task, or environmental pressure made by bosses or other employees. It is significantly important to observe these causes at the very first stages. 

Procrastination, as one could conclude, is not one of the positive and desirable aspects of people’s lives. As a result, many negative effects might appear. 

The first effect is the deterioration of interpersonal relationships. Failure to fulfill obligations or promises made to other people can negatively affect relationships. A person who procrastinates may begin to be perceived as one who cannot be trusted with anything responsible because there is a risk that he or she will not succeed. Another thing is the deteriorating results both in education, which is caused by not absorbing new issues, and at work, where the person inhibits his or her development and lags behind other colleagues. Finally, the increase of feeling of guilt appears, as commonly as low self-esteem. A person who procrastinates to perform tasks internally feels that he or she should finish them. The well-being decreases with every situation when something is not done, also the fear of reprisals from a superior might be observed. 

Procrastination, although dangerous, is a phenomenon that can be combated by applying a few changes in daily life. 

• Setting priorities – this will help one better organize each day, so that the most important tasks will be done first, and those which are less important might be done a little bit later; 
• Avoiding distractions – the environment is crucial when it comes to work efficiency. Therefore, it is important that the workplace is devoid of objects that can distract the person from the task. 
• Looking for support – the presence of another person not only gives a feeling of support but can also have a positive effect on the performance of tasks. Moreover, conversations give space for exchanging views or experiences between coworkers which might help solving tasks quicker in the future. 

In conclusion, procrastination is a phenomenon that affects many of us, preventing us from fully fulfilling planned or commissioned tasks. It is especially observed nowadays as a result of our times which want people to be more productive, more aware of news. They should work harder and rest less which results in information overload and previously mentioned procrastination. It is necessary to observe signs of procrastination at the early stages. The presented tactics might be helpful, can protect us and strengthen our productivity.