How to fight Procrastination (spoiler: don't!!)
Tags: productivity, motivation
Published: 2019-08-25 13:08:01

---
title: How to fight Procrastination (spoiler: don't!!)
published: true
description: A brief look at why we relapse to bad time-management and how to tackle it
tags: productivity, motivation
cover_image: https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/w9w3wme0xwpgytxt0uwp.jpg
series: procrastination
---
Hi! I'm a 20 year old guy studying chemical engineering in an institute in India which _people say_ is one of the toughest to get into. And judging by the topic you clicked on when you chose to read you might be under the impression that I know how to manage my time. You'll be wrong.  

First things first. I'm still upset that I ceased being a teenager 2 months ago and as most of you already know, growing up _sucks_. This line had nothing to do with the article itself but it just came to me while writing and now I'm thinking about my future as I grow older while I still have an assignment I have to submit tomorrow. \*phew\* **THIS**, right here, is how procrastination occurs.  

I even procrastinated on writing this article even though I've been planning to do this for months. And you my dear reader, are probably on a procrastination spree right now while you're reading this. And if that is the case, close the browser window or the app or wherever the heck you're reading this **RIGHT NOW**.  

Go on, have some courage. You really  need to finish that work you've pending at your desk. Bookmark this and come back later though because I need your views and likes.  

<hr />

Now, why would you read this thing to help you with your time if it's written by a master procrastinator himself? It's because we are excellent at providing advice on time management even if we do not follow that ourselves. I am basically Red Skull in Infinity War.  

![I guide others to a treasure](https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/y8oi8h50vmaop982iczx.jpg)

Do you see how I beat around the bush with this article. Yet, here you are still reading this.

What I meant in the title by saying **don't fight procrastination** is that the more aggressive you are in putting a sudden stop to your negative habits, the faster they will return to bite you in the back.

Think of it this way: Imagine you are a _matador_ and procrastination is the _bull_. It will always charge towards you and it depends on how good you are in saving yourself which dictates if you are unharmed or just a mess with broken bones. And as what happens with beginners, if you are not aware of the situation, and you pride yourself in beating the bull _once_, it can always come back and hit you when you're not looking. What you need to do in this case is turn that bull into an ant, so that sometimes when your attention undeniably wavers and the ant comes back, you would be able to handle it. Sure, the bite would sting a little but it won't be devastating.

What I mean to tell you is if you think you are wasting your time, let's say, playing video games for six hours each day then try to bring it down to four, then two and then half an hour, rather than just outright stopping it abruptly. If you suddenly stop and don't indulge for an entire day on the other hand, you'll be very happy with yourself. And that pride will make you reward yourself by playing the game for longer the next day and we already know how procrastinators feel given the opportunity of instant gratification. This is why you cannot change you life for the better overnight.

I wanted to write a lot of other things, but as you guessed it, I procrastinated. I wrote this small thing over a week (I lied again, it was two weeks). I would probably make some future write-ups about this major demon in my life. As this is a platform for tech-minded people I want to write next about the various tools and apps I use daily on my phone as well as my pc. Do let me know if you would like that.

P.S.: If you thought I was being forcefully humorous, it is because I was. 😛 I'm a very awkward person and I want you lovely people to like me. This is also my first post here so I would gladly accept some feedback. Cheers!