Does it take you forever to make a doctor’s appointment,
clean out your garage, or do your taxes? Putting off something that
needs to be done is called procrastination. We all do it sometimes.
But if you constantly struggle to finish tasks, there may be a bigger problem at play.
Once you figure out your reasons, you can work on making the most of your time.
Are You Stressed?
When you’re facing something you don’t want to do,
it can make you feel tense. Putting off that dreaded chore is a way to
get some short-term relief. The downside is that you’ll still have to
tackle your task in the future, which may make you feel guilty or angry
-- and cause your stress to rise more.
If the tension's bad enough to keep you from getting things done, you might notice it affects you in other ways, too, like:
- Trouble sleeping
- Racing thoughts
- Lack of energy or trouble focusing
- Headaches or muscle tension
Keep your mood in check with regular exercise, limit alcohol and caffeine (which can make stress worse), and get enough sleep. Talk to a friend or counselor about what’s on your mind, too.
Could It Be ADHD?
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder affects
behavior. People who have it often have trouble making decisions or
getting tasks done before a deadline. Some get too distracted with other
activities around them. Others find it hard to plan ahead, or they get
frustrated easily and give up.
Other symptoms of ADHD include:
- Daydreaming
- Forgetting or losing things
- Making careless mistakes or taking unsafe risks
- Squirming or fidgeting
Medications can often help control many symptoms of
the disorder. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps identify and
change negative thought patterns, also can help many people with the
condition better manage their time.
No comments:
Post a Comment