Everyone has wasted time at some point. You can probably think of a time when you browsed the Internet or went for a run just because you didn’t want to deal with the project or conversation waiting for you. Procrastination can be a killer. If you want to live your best financial life, have functional relationships, and maintain a strong reputation, finding a way to end or limit procrastination is a must. Here are three ways that procrastination might be hurting your life and what you can do to fix it.
The slow financial leaks of procrastination
Procrastinating can cost you whether you are a freelance writing or whether you have a normal office job. It can also hurt your credit. Your procrastination can cost you money in interest and fees. While these little costs might not seem like much on a day to day basis, they can add up to thousands of dollars over the course of a lifetime. If you’re the sort of person who is suffering financial leaks as a result of procrastination, try setting automated bill payments and reminders that force you to deal with reality no matter where you happen to be. Make it more difficult to run from these issues.
The strain on your relationships
People who procrastinate can be very frustrating in the context of a relationship. Think about the time when you claimed you would take the dog out but you waited an extra hour. What about the time when you were supposed to mail something and missed doing it because the post office closed before you got there. These things might not be important to you, but they will add up in the context of your romantic relationships and friendships. People will eventually grow tired of your antics and see it as a lack of respect for them. To cure this, you might want to set expectations with these people. Let them know that you struggle with procrastination. Just because you took too long to do something does not mean you lack respect for them.
The professional consequences of procrastination
When companies are handing out promotions, they like to reward individuals who have been on top of their games. If you constantly procrastinate, your company may not see you as a competent leader. Even if you have plenty of other skills, and even if you bring great value to the company, you may be pushed off the management track because of your procrastination. There is no easy cure for this. It may help to develop an accountability partner at your company. This way, you’ll have additional pressures pushing you toward responsibility.
Procrastination can be a personal and professional killer. You may just accept it as a part of your personality, but you will need to accept its consequences in that case. You will lose out on money, relationships, and professional opportunities if you can’t fix the issue. In many cases, it may be worth your time and effort to see a professional if your procrastination is having a tangible effect on your personal or professional life.
