Procrastination vs. Motivation: The epic battle for getting things done

Etymologically, “procrastination” is derived from the Latin verb procrastinate — to postpone until tomorrow. But it’s more than just voluntary delay. Procrastination is also derived from the ancient Greek word akrasia — doing something against our better judgement.

On the other hand, Motivation (moh-dih-VAY-shuhn) is the reason compelling a person’s actions and behaviors. In literature, it’s what drives a character’s goals and inclination to do something. As they say in Urdu, “Kal tu Tal Jata Hai” (meaning you delay a task and it is delayed forever), procrastinating is basically when you leave everything for later and end up doing nothing!

Tips to Combat Procrastination

Planning: First and foremost, plan your week, your day, and your tasks to be accomplished during that period. Set goals and check them off once you accomplish them.

Respect Your Time: It’s not because you got up a little later today that you’ll leave your whole day behind! Relax, you didn’t lose the subject you didn’t study. Set a new schedule and dive into studies.

Trace Your Goals: It’s hard for us to have a desire to do something if we don’t have a goal behind it all, right? Put everything you want to achieve on paper and what you need to do to conquer it.

Use Your Imagination: Imagine your perfect day of studies and put it into practice, within your reality. Did you know that words and our imaginations have strength? So… imagine good things for your day and your studies. Positive thinking is reflected in positive actions.

Technique of 1,2,3: When you’re procrastinating, for example, you’re sitting on your phone, and according to your planning you should be studying at that time. Count out loud 1…2…3… and lift yourself up. Get up on time… that’s for the alarm clock too. Get up on the first buzz! It’s not difficult, trust me. Just give it a try. Cheers!

Distractions: Stay away from any distractions possible! The cell phone is a big enemy when it comes to studies. When you go to study, leave it far away, and turn off the notifications. You don’t have to read messages from everyone when you’re studying, right? So stay away from distractions.

Encouragement and Perspective

Hope I helped you with these tips! I’m studying hard about the important methods to keep concentration and avoid procrastination. You also don’t give up, I don’t want you to. What I always say is: everyone will pass the exams! It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been studying, it doesn’t matter if you can only study 2/3 hours a day because of the countless obligations you have. Don’t feel inferior to anyone!

Rejecting Toxic Standards

Don’t fall prey to these “perfect” profiles who tell you to study 15 hours a day to pass. You need to dedicate yourself and NOT give up. Only those pass the exams who don’t give up and continue studying, despite all adversities coming in their way. So, lift your head, and stop following these toxic profiles of perfection in studies that don’t exist!!! Respect your time, respect your present moment, and assure yourself that you will succeed, ultimately. Believe in yourself first and everything will work out!