If you think that these 21st century gadgets and smartphones have given rise to procrastination, think again! Procrastination, in humans, is not new and has been around since ancient times. The Greek poet, Hesiod, writing at the time of around 800 B.C., advised not to “put your work off till tomorrow and the day after.”
Ubiquity of Procrastination
Today researchers have found that procrastination is way more complicated than “putting off work” (with apologies to the poet). It is a self-regulation failure – a voluntary delay of task that’s important, knowing that the consequences will be harmful.
The phenomenon is human and hence, so relatable. In his book “Still Procrastinating: The No Regret Guide to Getting It Done”, Joseph Ferrari mentions that 20 percent of adults in the United States are procrastinators.
The situation gets worse among students. It was estimated that 25 to 75 percent of students procrastinate when it comes to doing academic work. Some major reasons that lead students to procrastinate include;
- Overestimating the time they have left to complete a task
- Overestimating their future level of motivation
- Underestimating the time it will take to complete the task at hand
- Assuming that they needed to be in the right frame of mind to start a project (Source: Very Well)
The Procrastinating Mind
Neuroscience research has shown that procrastination may have biological roots. It is a battle between our limbic systems (the part that deals with emotions and has pleasure centers) and the prefrontal cortex (the part that is responsible for planning and decision making). When the limbic system wins, procrastination ensues. (Source: Real Simple)
Hypnosis in Treating the Procrastinating Mind
From lack of willingness to a feeling of anxiety when thinking about the task, there may be a variety of reasons that people procrastinate.
With an assumption that the subconscious mind has the power to mend ways, hypnosis can prove to be an effective method of overcoming procrastination. It is a technique that communicates directly with the subconscious mind and prompts it to make better and healthy choices.
Using relaxation and suggestion techniques, the hypnotist can build client’s confidence and encourage positive habits. Hypnosis, combined with mindfulness approach and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, can prove to be very instrumental in making a client more productive.
Rekha Shrivastava at Blossom Hypnotherapy has helped people struggling with procrastination. Her amicable approach and rigorous knowledge of the subject matter have ensured astounding results over the years.
Apart from helping clients overcome procrastination, she has also helped them with smoking cessation and stress management in Rochester, New York. Click here to book a free consultation.
Sources
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/why-wait-the-science-behind-procrastination
https://www.verywell.com/the-psychology-of-procrastination-2795944
http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/time-management/procrastination
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