Procrastination is the greatest thief of time.
Procrastination is the bane of every student’s life! It tempts students away from the task they set out to complete thus creating fear and anxiety within them as the deadline of their respective projects draws closer. The act of procrastination does seem enjoyable but the joy is short-lived as nothing is accomplished!
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As parents, we are fearful that our children may succumb to the act of procrastination. In severe cases, procrastination can distract your children from being able to reach their full potential in life and possibly affecting their career in the future.
This sounds scary, doesn’t it?
We understand and recognise the detrimental effects of procrastination and we do not want your children to fall into the false comfort procrastination brings about.
Here are 3 simple ways to help your children to overcome procrastination and be masters of their own time:
#1: Recognising Procrastination
To overcome procrastination, we have to be able to recognise it.
Many students often do not realise that they are procrastinating until it is too late. Time would already be wasted with little work being accomplished.
Here are some symptoms of procrastination:
- Your child tends to complete only low priority tasks.
- Your child tends to switch to a less meaningful task despite setting his/ her mind on completing a high priority task.
- Your child tends to leave a task uncompleted on his/ her To-Do list for excessive periods of time.
- Your child regularly says “Yes” to every task but is not completing any of it.
- Your child prefers to wait for the “Right Moment” or the “Right Mood” before he/ she embarks on the task.
If your child is exhibiting any of the symptoms above, BEWARE!
Your child may be guilty of procrastinating. It is good that they are now able to identify the situations which are often associated to procrastination and do something about it.
#2: Understanding Why Your Child Procrastinates
Now that your children are able to recognise the signs of procrastination, they should learn to understand why they procrastinate!
We have identified two main reasons which may explain why your child procrastinates.
#1 Reason: Abundance of Distractions
Distractions can be found all around us when we are doing something we find boring.
For your children, they probably find studying joyless and dread the moment when they are forced to read the contents of their textbook. At that instance, the temptation to procrastinate will be at its strongest.
Modern technology such as mobile phones or computers can serve as a source of procrastination.
When your child is about to study, parents should play a significant role in removing such temptations. This will create a conducive environment for your child to study and remain productive.
Such measures include the confiscation of phones and using a parental lock to deny your child access to the computer when he/she is studying.
Reason 2: Lack of Motivation
Motivation is a powerful tool to every student.
It can encourage your child to chase and achieve their dreams and aspiration, thus allowing them to be proud of their accomplishments. However, a lack of motivation is simply unfavourable as it causes your child to succumb to the temptation beckoned by procrastination itself.
As parents, spend time talking to your children and understand what motivates them to achieve their dream.
Everyone has their own unique ‘driving force’ and upon identifying our own spark, we are able tap on it and use it to motivate us to work harder.
So, help your children to identify their own ‘driving force’ and once they have tasted the fruits of their labours, they will be more encouraged and will motivate your child for more success in the future!
#3 Adopt Strategies Which Discourage Procrastination
Procrastination is a habit and as such, it is challenging to overcome this overnight.
The act of procrastination is deeply ingrained in one’s behaviour and as such, many of us are guilty of it without even knowing that we are procrastinating.
Such bad habits are only broken when we persistently act against it. Encourage your children to develop their own unique approach to overcome procrastination. By doing so, your children can rely and practise the techniques they have developed to increase their productivity every day.
Hence, this allows them to be able to feel a sense of accomplishment every night before they sleep!
Here are some tips to motivate your kids:
- Promise a suitable reward for your child upon completion of a task given. The greater the task, the larger the reward.
- Introduce the spirit of friendly competition among your children. The competitive nature within them can serve as a driving force for them to be motivated in completing their respective objectives to the best of their abilities!
- Allow your child to recognise and realise the unpleasant consequences procrastination brings
- Organise a study group for your child to be able to study with friends! Utilise the effect of peer pressure to allow your child to be in a conducive environment to study in.
In conclusion…
Procrastination is certainly not ideal in any circumstance.
Despite its negative effect on our level of productiveness, we, adults are often guilty of such an act. It has become a detrimental habit that many of us are unable to overcome and the idea of procrastination does give us a sense of comfort, despite knowing the tasks we have to complete.
Thus, it is important to educate your child at this young age on the danger and negative impact of procrastination. When your children are able to identify their source of motivation which allows them to overcome procrastination and practise it on a daily basis, they will be able to cultivate such beneficial habits which will prove important and useful even during their adult life.
Identify. Understand. Strategise
By remembering and practising these 3 important steps we have mentioned, we are confident that your child will be able to finally overcome procrastination.
We hope that the tips we have provided are useful and will be put to good use by your children!
