The Enemy of Productivity: Procrastination and How to Overcome It

Generation Alpha and Generation Z are two generation lines that have high potential in innovation and production. This is because these two generations are generations that are flanked by various information and daily demands. Generation Alpha is a generation born in 2010-2020 and Generation Z is a group of people born in the period 1996-2012. Although they have different birth years, both generations have the same persistence in achieving their standard of living by doing various productive activities that generate profits such as doing Hustle Culture, Freelance Work, opening an Investment Portfolio (Sukuk, Mutual Funds or several Trading platforms of their respective preferences).
However, in carrying out daily activities in addition to the pressure to fulfil the needs of life, both generations also face a problem called Procrastination. Procrastination is the habit of procrastinating or avoiding tasks that should be done, so that when the deadline approaches or passes the deadline. This culture of delaying work will generally arise from various diversions.
This phenomenon involves the diversion of attention from important activities that require immediate completion to more enjoyable or less urgent activities. Procrastination can be caused by a variety of factors, including fear of failure, lack of motivation, feeling overwhelmed by a large or complex task, as well as distractions from the surrounding environment. Procrastination can cause a decrease in intention to work or perform activities, and has the potential to disrupt the flow of life that not only belongs to a person but also those around them. This is because procrastination can hinder the productivity of companies and employees, it can reduce professionalism and reputation.
Although procrastination initially gives a person peace of mind, it will eventually make their life stressful with an imminent dealine, and potential dishonourable expulsion from a group or institution. Procrastination can arise from external stimuli such as the presence of tantalising social media content that causes a break in concentration on the work being done. This is also related to the concept of phubbing (phone snubbing) which causes a person to pay more attention to what content is on the mobile phone without paying attention to the surroundings and the work being done.
With the concept of Procrastination that can interfere with performance and innovation, it is preferable for both students and workers to do the following:
-
Create a To-Do List: Making a daily or weekly to-do list can help you see and prioritise your work. Breaking down large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones can also make work feel lighter.
-
Use the Pomodoro Method: The Pomodoro technique involves 25 minutes of intensive work, followed by a short 5-minute break. After four sessions, take a longer break of about 15-30 minutes. This method helps improve focus and productivity. Because if one has a condition like ADHD, taking a break after an intensive activity is the best way to refresh the focus so that it is not cut off by distractions that result in procrastination.
-
Focus on the Process, Not the Result: Instead of focusing on the end result that may feel daunting, focus on the small steps and processes that need to be done to achieve the goal.
-
Prioritize in-person interactions: Prioritise face-to-face conversations and interactions over mobile phone interactions.
-
Reflect and Evaluate: Periodically, evaluate your progress and reflect on what has worked and what needs improvement. This will help you understand your procrastination patterns and find more appropriate solutions.
-
Avoid Excessive Social Interaction: It is advisable for students or workers to focus on the task at hand, and avoid social distractions if a task has not been completed.
With this method, it is hoped that students and workers can focus on the work being done or the tasks being done, especially for UNDIRA students who are doing final assignments such as theses because a delay in work will be fatal for all parties and not just for one person. A task or obligation that is postponed will cause anxiety, therefore discipline is the key to avoiding procrastination.
(Sekar Ayu Putri / Humas UNDIRA)
Press Contact :
Biro Humas & Sekretariat Universitas Dian Nusantara
Facebook : www.facebook.com/undiraofficial
Instagram : www.instagram.com/undiraofficial
Twitter : www.twitter.com/undiraofficial
www.undira.ac.id

Campus Tanjung Duren
Jln. Tanjung Duren Barat II No. 1
Grogol, Jakarta Barat. 11470
Campus Green Ville
JIn. Mangga XIV No. 3
Campus Cibubur
Jln. Rawa Dolar 65
Jatiranggon Kec. Jatisampurna, Bekasi. 17432