The art of procrastination

This skill isn't exactly what you call a rarity, for the general global population has already embraced it almost wholeheartedly into their daily lives. And it's really a lot easier than taking a candy from a baby, way too easy! Whether we're talking about a chore, a project or assignment, shopping for groceries, going to the gym or simply clipping those claw-like nails, it just takes a blink of an eye to postpone everything at once. After all, as long as tomorrow exists, then why waste all that priceless energy of yours, right? Uh...i don't think so.

How not to procrastinate

Associated with every needless delay that comes up is the unavoidable accumulation in your things-to-do list, besides being nagged by that gnawing sense of guilt and regret. Let's say you do have a lot of time to spare on your hands, how about other future tasks that suddenly pop out of nowhere to add to your current beanstalk pile of unaccomplished tasks? Your days, weeks, or even months become one humongous clutter after another. And its all because of your habitual inactivity. Or 'later' being your nickname. Yet, this isn't like some incurable disease that will haunt you for life. The following tips should bail you out in the long run:

Create your own things-to-do-list.
Start noting down things that need to be accomplished and arrange them in order according to priority or importance. Going to the foot spa shouldn't get top billing ahead of settling your past overdue bills.

Set deadlines at all times.
Be extremely strict on yourself when it comes to due dates for accomplishing the task. The saying 'its better late than never' doesn't and shouldn't apply here. Never be late when it comes to a deadline and get yourself used to it starting now!

Be realistic when it comes to time frame.
Okay, you surely don't want to be torturing yourself when it comes to completing a task. Lets say, A 10 page essay requiring extensive research can't be accomplished in just 30 minutes or even an hour, especially if you don't have the material in front of you at the moment. Or taking up the whole day just to do the dishes. Associate each task with its corresponding time period of
completion.

Always have a calendar to write your notes or a journal in hand.
Believe me, a lot of you would testify to the fact including myself, that you can't cram all that info inside your head and expect to remember it when the time comes. You're no computer. Constantly write down important notes on your calendar or a small journal like specific deadlines or reminders concerning the task and work on them one item at a time. Never schedule them all in one day, unless of course, you're the man of steel.

Work on the difficult tasks first.
Usually, the tough assignments consume more time and attention so it's better to begin with it first, rather than putting it off until the very last minute. After that, you're not pressured and more relaxed to take on the lighter tasks with ease.

Block out thoughts of procrastinating
When a state of sluggishness arises, psyche yourself up and remind yourself of the consequences should you give in to delaying the task at hand. What i do when laziness starts to creep in, is i imagine the sound of a buzzer, or alarm in my head going off every time that happens. Weird, but it does keep out the slack-virus from time to time.

Avoid unnecessary distractions.
Read your email only to check if you have important messages or make a phone call only when the need arises. Don't invest your precious time on facebook, twitter, or myspace and eventually get caught up in all that craze. Next thing you know, you've lost appetite for that important assignment and leave it for another day....of continuous social networking fever, again and again till eternity!

Keep your focus solely on the task at hand.
Concentrate on completing the current task before you proceed to the next one. Avoid doing all things at the same time or multitasking if you're not totally up to it. If you do multitask, make sure you accomplish the task at hand, first and foremost.

Identify unnecessary time consuming activities.
It is essential to spot certain activities that hinder the accomplishment of specific tasks and responsibilities. Like, the 'couch potato' disease wherein you stay glued to the television set for hours, mindless of your home looking like a pig sty.

Just do it!
We all struggle at some point in attempting to begin a particular task. Our thoughts clash inside our head and we haven't even done anything yet. The trick is, just take that giant step. Just do it! There's no magic formula here, no mathematical equation, it really lies in the basic execution of that assignment.


Best time is now

If we can watch a movie today without delay, or hang out with friends right at this very moment without brainstorming over it, why can't we apply the same principle over a task that needs to be done right away? Sure, for some of us-it's a temporary escape from that dreaded assignment or project, in exchange for a more pleasurable activity. And we all have good intentions to progress and make it big, but how can that be proven if it remains a theory in our heads? Unless we exercise our goals and plans, we'll never know of the huge benefits we'll be reaping from it. Not tomorrow or the day after, or next week. We act now.

Some things men and women lie about

Sure, we walk around with those shiny halos on our heads and proclaim our unblemished honesty to the world around us. But the obvious fact is, even the greatest personalities or saints of history has had their share of the 'Pinocchio syndrome' and goes thousands of years back to Adam and Eve that kind of started it all. Yet the issue here are the interesting topics the 'Adams' and 'Eves' of today choose to be- well, quite deceitful about.....if they can get away with it!

Liar, liar

Age - Both males and females alike just despise it when asked about their age, especially when you've passed the 20's mark. Hate to admit it but i'm one of those who wriggle with discomfort when i'm about to reveal my true age-which usually doesn't happen but i'm working on it. We all want to remain as youthful as possible and avoid being categorized as one of the 'oldies.'

Height - I've had a colleague once way back who had this chat mate that stated her height was 5'4 and a half. When they finally met face to face, she was actually shorter by two and a half inches!
This goes a lot to prove that a lack of self esteem plays a part when height issues are tackled, even when the person is in front of you and its clearly evident if they're bluffing or not. A 'tall' tale is highly preferable.

Income - The status symbol. Women, especially men elevate themselves by lying about their salary and sometimes certain benefits and privileges associated with it. Unreal quotations of how much we make are expected, fearing ridicule during a conversation. And sometimes we dudes go to the extent on boasting about our spending power, how much we spend on stuff like the latest gadgetry, forms of entertainment, barhopping or clothes. Blah-blah-blah....

Sexual encounters/know-how - For most males, its a numbers game. We have this twisted concept of being a real man when we bluff about the swarm of gorgeous women we've slept with and add to that, the creative techniques and sexual wizardry to complete bragging rights. But in reality, these so called hunks have minimal experience or even zilch. It just makes them look superior in a way, but for exactly how long?

For the women, it's quite the opposite. They'll lessen the numbers. Or even say that they've never slept with a guy. Yup, females are accustomed to a little decency in their stories, at least for some who prefer to keep it to themselves. For us guys who who are linked to these species of chicks, then there's something to worry about! I prefer honesty no matter the pain than a novel of white lies.

IQ - When a simple discussion suddenly turns intellectual, don't you just love it when some of us dudes or even dudettes exert tremendous effort on our poor brain power to try to outshine the other participant? Even though we don't have a single clue on what the hell we're talking about, much less have a single clue on the issue itself! We just want to fit in, especially when the crowd we're mingling with are genuinely Einstein material.

There are also instances when we would lie about certain test scores or for example, being Mensa members due to outstanding results or above average academic achievements. Anything to get that prized approval from your peers. You can then sleep soundly at night.

Profession - This goes hand in hand with concocted info on income, in which some men and women don't take pride on what they actually do for a living. A female receptionist would alter her work title by saying that she's the boss's secretary. Believe me, i came across a chick like that once. Or some line cook make believing he's the sous chef. Big difference, isn't it? At least keep a safe distance from what your true profession really is. It would be ridiculous for the school janitor to fabricate being the school principal!

Bodily assets - I don't know if this holds true for all women because most of the time it's visible on their part. Like the size of their breasts. You'll know right away when some chick in front of you claims her bra size is 38/C.
Men on the other hand, take advantage of their concealed evidence and would brag about the size of that one eyed snake. They'd echo those statements over and over for those females to hear about their mammoth manhood which is beneficial, unless the chicks don't force you to go to bed with them later on. If you give in, then your teeny weeny would be the talk of the town.


Come clean

No matter who's craftier between the males and females, we all strive for recognition and acceptance, a sense of belonging, a compliance to the exaggerated standards of society. Who doesn't want to fit in, who doesn't want to blend in with the popular masses? Rejection and ridicule is greatly feared but the thing is, how long can you keep up with the half truths or the coated products of your untamed tongue? Whether we admit it or not, lies are short lived and have their consequences. If we want to save ourselves from real embarrassment and mockery then the best antidote is to just be ourselves. It's a tough job being honest but it'll reap great benefits whichever way we put it. End of tale.