{"id":29361,"date":"2024-05-04T17:39:24","date_gmt":"2024-05-04T12:09:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demo.testctsl.in\/indiafirstepaper?p=29361"},"modified":"2025-10-29T09:43:31","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T04:13:31","slug":"procrastination-isnt-wisdom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/demo.testctsl.in\/indiafirstepaper\/2024\/05\/04\/procrastination-isnt-wisdom\/","title":{"rendered":"Procrastination Isn\u2019t Wisdom"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rajgopal Nidamboor<\/p>\n

The thought of procrastination, or postponing action, or deferral, brings to mind, among other things, the idea of avoiding something you don\u2019t want to do. Agreed that you may want the benefits of a particular action \u2014 and, the fruits it can bring. However, on the downside, you also fear the apprehension it conveys. This is the irony that aptly defines procrastination. Of a way to handle situations where you want action, but you also dread a possible outcome \u2014 at the same time.<\/p>\n

You may, therefore, relate to procrastination as a form of \u2018negative stimulus.\u2019 Because, when you procrastinate, as Dr Philip Humbert, a professional coach, writer and speaker, puts it, you tend to motivate yourself to avoid a known, or a not-yet-known situation.<\/p>\n

There are as many types of negative procrastination, as there are potholes in Mumbai. Laziness, for instance, is one of the foremost examples among them. Being lazy is the need to make the most of temporary comfort above everything else.<\/p>\n

In addition to this, you may have a fear of failure, or reprimand. This can \u2018fuel\u2019 people for short periods, although it is not useful in the long-term.<\/p>\n

This is not all. Mock deadlines, challenges, and \u2018motivational classes,\u2019 are stress-based ways to momentarily enhance performance. Ironically, they all tend to only work to a certain degree, not fully.<\/p>\n

In other words, they are not a solid base upon which you can build your life and\/or career. You would know the reason \u2014 don\u2019t you? That negative motivation often works in a crisis, but not in the long-term.<\/p>\n

Is there a way out \u2014 you may well ask.<\/p>\n

Yes, there is. It is called \u2018positive motivation.\u2019<\/p>\n

Positive motivation is value-driven. It is also a much more efficient practice than you could think \u2014 off-the-cuff. To paraphrase the idea, in one\u2019s own words: \u201cWhen I\u2019m motivated by a positive vision, a sense of destiny, or desire, my behaviour, thoughts and attitudes are all stimulated in the same direction. I tend to do well with anything that is given to me to achieve, or accomplish.\u201d<\/p>\n

Motivation Does Best<\/p>\n

First things, first. You need to handle procrastination effectively.<\/p>\n

Next, you need to have consistency between your values \u2014 for instance, love of family \u2014 and, your stated goals, for example, being a good parent. Besides this, you need to have a clear strategy to achieve your goals. Once you know what you wish, or want to do, taking action is not difficult.<\/p>\n

When our values, our goals and our strategies are united, we all tend to be exceptionally productive. To highlight a few examples:<\/p>\n

Ask your adolescent if they really want to stay up past their bed-time with their social media frenzy.
\nAsk your cousin who wants to make the football team to date someone their parents don\u2019t like.
\nAsk a talented tennis player about going for tennis practice when it is awfully hot and humid.<\/p>\n

You get the point. When our values, goals, and strategies are aligned, we perform well.
\nInterestingly, it is also only when things are out of position that we fight back strongly.<\/p>\n

To pick another example. When one of your key values \u2014 to spend more time as a family \u2014 conflicts with your goals, for instance, to get that promotion, or when you don\u2019t have a practical strategy, you get into trouble. Hence, the big question \u2014 without an effective strategy, why try, you may well ask yourself.<\/p>\n

Wait a moment.<\/p>\n

To achieve more, you need to start by \u2018reading\u2019 through your core values. Small wonder why many people get into trouble at this point. Here goes. You say you value ambition, but you actually prize vacations, or relaxation, more. Or, you may say you value a comfortable retirement, but what you actually value is the prestige of a new car, a bigger home, or eating out.<\/p>\n

Take a deep breath, and think.<\/p>\n

Core Values<\/p>\n

You need to stay motivated to stay motivated. To achieve this, you should first start with a rigorous examination of your core values. Ask \u2014 what is most important to you.<\/p>\n

Next, make sure your daily actions and the \u2018little\u2019 goals of daily life actually reflect your values.<\/p>\n

If you ask most adults to list their five- or ten-year goals, they\u2019ll sound pretty good. But, ask them to list their daily projects, or their plans for the weekend, and you often see a conflict. You should take a lesson from this, and make sure your value of \u2018financial security\u2019 is mirrored in your monthly bank statement.<\/p>\n

Also, always work with tried-and-tested strategies, not quick-fixes. In addition to this, remember that \u2018hope is not a strategy.\u2019 It is a strategy that is achievable.<\/p>\n

Always have a plan, and work through your plan. Also, make an action list, or create a \u2018road-map.\u2019 Do you know that most ambitious people know they should have written goals, but not many take the time to develop a useful, if not great, strategy? The moral of the story? You need to have a solid, workable and confident strategy. Once you stick to a plan, things will slowly fall into place, and you\u2019ll be better off for it. What\u2019s more, to achieve further, make doubly sure your core values, short-term goals, and your daily strategies are properly allied.<\/p>\n

You\u2019d also do well to use certain sound affirmations to stay afloat and focused. Tell yourself, \u201cDay by day, I\u2019m getting better and better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sounds simple, but its effect is profound. Reason: when your daily actions fully mirror your core values and workable strategy, you\u2019ll be able to emerge victorious, or successful, in most things you do.<\/p>\n

(The writer is a wellness physician, independent researcher, columnist and author.)