My sleep schedule is so messed up. These days, I have insomnia, so I will sleep around 4 AM. Guess what time did I start writing this post? 1 AM. I suppose that's why I can't sleep, I've been looking on screen too much. I seriously need to stop, school is starting in less than 15 days. I better fix my sleep cycle now.

Somehow, I only could write at this particular time. Ideas would only come during this hour. I wouldn't have any desire to write in the daytime, which is bad. Plus, I have lots of SPM classes this month, so I'm quite exhausted and tired (but I will still sleep late, lol). My bad. And now, I'm forcing myself to update this blog. I already have a blog schedule, so I'm trying to cope with it.


I mentioned about today's topic in my last post. This topic was also requested by Rasya about a month ago. I'm sorry for only doing it today, I was procrastinating to write about this. Ahhh, that is so freaking irony! Well, I guess I'm writing about this not only for you guys but also, for me.

Procrastination is the avoidance of doing a task that needs to be accomplished. It is the practice of doing more pleasurable things in place of less pleasurable ones or carrying out less urgent tasks instead of the larger ones, thus putting off impending tasks to a later time. Sometimes, procrastination takes place until the "last minute" before a deadline. Procrastination can take hold in any aspect of life and can lead to feelings of guilt, inadequacy, depression and self-doubt. [source]

One of my every new year's resolutions is to stop procrastinating. Every year. Whether as a student, a blogger or just an average person with a healthy life. So, since 2017 is coming and we all have a resolution to get rid of procrastination, I'm going to talk about it. This topic is quite big, so let's talk about this in general and together, we fight this bad habit!

Procrastination can be caused by lots of things. For instance;
→ Lack of motivation - when you don't have any desire to do something.
→ Not knowing or where to start - when you have too many things to get done that you just don't know where to start.
→ Perfectionism - when you're afraid that the outcome might not be good enough.
→ Fear of failing - when you're overthinking the issue might fail.
→ Laziness - when you lack energy.
→ Out of focus - when there are too many distractions.

Those are the main causes of procrastination. Whatever it is, we have to beat them to get tasks done. I know it can be hard, but you'll regret it if you don't try. Here are some solutions;

• Make a to-do list
This is crucial. I used to not recording what I'm supposed to do, which I ended up not doing any of them because I'm such a forgetful person (that's a fact). I started to create a to-do list for every single day, and my routine has really changed since then. I became more organised with my tasks and manage my time successfully. Having a daily to-do list is surprisingly helpful.

• FORCE yourself to start
"I'm with the force, and the force is with me" lol, just kidding, that's a line from the movie, Rouge One - A Star Wars Story. I watched it a few days ago, and it was incredible. Star Wars will never be disappointing. Okay, back to procrastination. This is one of the ways I do when it comes to things like writing, either school work or blog posts. I will force myself to start writing even if it's just a few words. Because eventually, I will continue until the end.

• Get rid of distractions
Most of the time, things are undone because of distractions. For example, this post was in my draft for quite some time because I was too distracted with Korean dramas. I'm currently watching Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, and I swear, that show is so effing cute. Oh God, I'm distracted again. See? So, you need to eliminate all the things that are distracting you such as your smartphone, television remote, music, Instagram, Twitter, and others.

• Plan and prioritise your tasks
Sometimes, lots of things come to you at one time. Too many things need to be done in one particular time which just stresses you out, and you'd feel like giving up. So, other than just making a to-do list, write down your tasks according to the relevant ones first. You need to be able to prioritise your work and manage your time smartly. You can use a planner to sort out your work or just the Notes app on your phone, that will work too!

• Find a comfortable spot
Occasionally, you'll become tired and lazy because of the bad atmosphere you're in. And of course, you'll procrastinate. Maybe you haven't got time, or most probably, procrastinate to clean your room. Or maybe your siblings are too loud that you just couldn't focus on your work. Then, be in a clean and comfortable space. Tidy up your room, spray some air freshener, or just get out of the house and find a peaceful place. It can be a library, a cafe, a park, or anywhere you like. Get yourself in a better surroundings and do your work.

• Don't think too much
Overthinking can lead to procrastination too. Maybe you think that your work would turn out bad, your task won't be good enough, or for example, like me, I would always overthink that my readers would dislike and judge my writings. Seriously, avoid that. Overthinking is wrong in any situation. You will never know what's going to happen next if you don't start, right? So, just give it a try. Remember to always be positive!

• Inspire yourself
When you want or need to do something, but you don't have enough motivation for it. What are you waiting for? Find yourself motivations! For example, when you need to study, then go to Tumblr and search the word 'studyblr', there are lots of original and beautiful notes that will immediately make you have the desire to study. Or when you need to write a blog post, then go to Pinterest or Bloglovin' and find some inspirations by exploring and reading blogs you like. There are many ways to motivate yourself.

• Put some effort
I agree that nothing is easy in this world. Life is full of obstacles that you need to get through. But remember, whatever you're doing in this world, an effort is necessary when you want to achieve something. Back to point #2 where you have to force yourself to start, that's where effort comes in. Fight that laziness and just do it! When the effort is there, procrastination is nothing.

I'm not saying that it's going to be easy, procrastination is something that's quite hard to beat. But hey, let's give it a try, shall we? I procrastinate a lot too, so I hope that this post will help everyone including me. Let us all get rid of this terrible habit and make our 2017 an anti-procrastination year!

 What are your ways to beat this habit called procrastinating?