BUSINESS

3 Reasons why you’re Procrastinating and How to Deal with It

Published

2 years ago

3 Reasons why you’re Procrastinating and How to Deal with It

3 Reasons why you’re Procrastinating and How to Deal with It. We’re all familiar with the term procrastination and we’re all guilty of doing it at least once. It could be sending that email “later”. Doing that assignment “tomorrow”. Or simply “not having time” to get things done when they are due.

In simple terms, procrastination is the act of delaying a task until the last minute or past the deadline. The issue with procrastination is that it is voluntary.

Usually, the reasons we come up with for not handling the tasks earlier are things that could be dealt with easily.

This brings us to the second part of procrastination, which is unnecessary. The damage it causes can be avoided, and we don’t have to go through it.

In the next section, we’d be looking at common reasons why we procrastinate.

What Causes Procrastination

There is a common misconception that people who procrastinate are lazy. In reality, people who procrastinate are often swamped with work. Procrastination sets in once the workload becomes overwhelming.

Negative Emotions

The first reason for procrastinating is that we associate negative emotions with the task at hand. It could be that we find it boring, complex, or stressful.

From a student’s point of view, you may be putting off an assignment because you already perceive it as difficult. It would take hours of research, or you would have to ask for help and you’d rather not.

Naturally, we avoid unpleasant emotions, so it makes sense that we would avoid the task that would cause these emotions in us.

Another reason this is a problem is stress causes the rational part of the brain to shut down. Rather, the part of the brain that manages our response to fear begins to perceive the task as a threat.

Instant Gratification

Contrary to what others may think, people who procrastinate put off important tasks to do nothing. In reality, that time is dedicated to carrying out a task that was not as important but felt better.

Imagine, putting off studying for a statistics test in 3 days, to review your psychology notes from the week. Funny, isn’t it? Not as productive, but you felt better doing that.

This is what makes procrastination as addictive as it is. As humans, we enjoy positive stimuli and tend to run toward them.

Procrastination has the same effect, the feel-good feeling that comes with putting off a task for something more enjoyable is a like a reward. So, we want more of it and put off the task for longer.

Lack of Foresight

Human beings are more likely to base their decisions on their present without much thought for the future.

We can say that we are disconnected from our future selves and fail to see them as an extension of ourselves.

The consequence of this is taking decisions without thinking about how they can affect us in a month, a week, or even the next day.

Effects of Procrastination on your Studies

For every action, there is a reaction, hence for every time you procrastinate there are consequences to be faced.

Depending on whether you’re working a corporate job, leading a local church, or a student, you may interact with procrastination’s effects in different ways. But the fact remains that everyone has to answer to it.

Below we highlighted a few ways procrastination could affect you as a student.

Interpersonal Relationship Issues

Procrastination doesn’t stop with us; it affects the people around us as well. For students, their relationship with their peers and teachers can take a major hit if they always postpone tasks. We’ll show you some examples.

Imagine being part of a group assignment and responsibilities have been shared with all students. On the day of submission, you presented shabbily done work or even worse nothing at all.

Because of this your teacher either gives your group a lower grade or in extreme cases no grade at all. Imagine how everyone else would feel.

If you have roommates and always slack on cleaning up the room when it’s your turn you can imagine they won’t like you around very much.

And finally, imagine always turning up late to events planned with friends. Eventually, they may stop inviting you to anything.

Lowered Wellbeing

Another way procrastination can affect you is that it negatively impacts your well-being. People who are aware of their bad habits and struggle to break it may be faced with feelings of guilt, shame, and general unhappiness.

In this survey, we see that 94% of the people who struggle with procrastination admitted to being unhappy.

And the percentage of these who are students also provided responses classified as negative when asked how procrastination affects them.

Poor Health

Procrastination’s effects can be so devastating that it affects our mental and physical health. It has been linked to ailments such as stress and a weakened immune system.

In addition to this, procrastination can also worsen certain ailments due to poor habits. An example of this is delaying when you take your medication. Another example is bedtime procrastination which can affect your sleep cycle and increase your fatigue.

More Procrastination

If you are battling or know someone who is battling with procrastination you have an idea of how it quickly becomes a vicious cycle. It is much like debt, once you get in, getting back out is a struggle.

For example, procrastinating on coursework will develop feelings of anxiety around that course. These feelings make it more difficult to start the task and thus make you procrastinate on it more.

Another example is sleep. If you delay going to bed on time, you wake up the next day feeling groggy. This could affect the way you carry out tasks throughout the day resulting in further bedtime procrastination.

Loss of Opportunities

Putting off tasks can result in lost opportunities. By failing to turn in your assignment on time, you risk having your work rejected.

Delaying applications could cost you a scholarship or internship you have been dreaming of.

In addition to that, procrastination can slow down your personal growth. By putting off learning valuable skills (digital marketing, graphic design, etc.) or developing habits (reading, exercising, etc.) we stunt our personal growth.

How to Manage Procrastination as a Student

Break it Down

One of the reasons we procrastinate is that we find the task at hand too overwhelming. The best way to get around this is to break down the task into smaller chunks.

Aim for when a task is so easy to do, you can’t help but get it out of the way.

For example, writing a four-page essay can seem like a mountain, until you break it down. If you don’t already have a topic, get one, then research it, take down important notes, and create an outline.

Next thing you know, your essay is done.

To-Do lists are a great way to break down tasks. Note down things you have to get done, preferably in their order of importance, and check away.

For this method to work effectively, the items on your list must be things you can get done almost immediately.

Let’s say take out the trash, do the dishes, and refill the water dispenser. If you don’t know how to do the task, then your list should reflect that.

Imagine you have an algebra assignment on simultaneous equations but don’t know much about them. Your list should look something like this:

Watch the YouTube tutorial on simultaneous equations
Do algebra homework

Get a Change of Environment

Have you ever walked somewhere and instantly felt like you could use a nap? Our environment plays a huge role in determining what we get done, and when we get it done.

If your workspace doesn’t motivate you to get started on those projects, then it’s time for a change. Also, note that an environment that works for you now could lose its touch in the future. Not to worry, try switching things up and see how that works.

Unplug All Distractions

Remember earlier we said that procrastinators often spend their time doing tasks that aren’t as important.

Sometimes the reason why we can’t get anything done is that someone or something is stopping us. If you live with your parents maybe your mum calls your name every five minutes asking for the remote or a glass of water.

If you went to school abroad maybe your phone keeps buzzing cause friends and family constantly checking on you.

Whatever the case is, before you plugin into your work, you should plug it out. Put your phone on silent mode or DND and place it far away from you. This makes it more difficult to look at it.

Set Deadlines

It’s easy to procrastinate on any task that doesn’t need our immediate attention, especially when it is the only one.

Instead of waiting the whole week to get started on that task, is it possible to break it down and spread it across the week?

Research today, make notes tomorrow and create the outline the day after. As the deadline approaches you to find yourself with less work to do.

Don’t Have too Many Options

Decision paralysis is a real thing. The inability to make quick decisions takes up a chunk of our time that could’ve been spent more productively.

Ideally, you should’ve started planning for today yesterday. Even if you don’t have a complete to-do list you should at least have an idea of the major tasks that need to get done.

Need to visit a friend, return a book to the library, or start a paper by Wednesday? Start making plans to ensure it gets done on Tuesday, even Monday. The earlier the better.

Conclusion

Procrastination has been described as a thief of joy because it robs us of our well-being and disrupts the relationships we build with others.

However, once you can pinpoint the cause for your procrastination you find yourself in a better place to deal with it.

Hopefully, you found one or more of the tips helpful in beating your habit. Remember to take it easy on yourself. You didn’t build this habit in a day, so you won’t get rid of it that quickly either.

More from my site

BUSINESS

Adamawa Mortgage Bank Faces ₦10 Billion Lawsuit for Alleged Contract Breach with Wisdom Kwati Smart City

Published

3 weeks ago

Christopher

Wisdom Kwati Smart City Ltd, a prominent property development firm based in Abuja, has launched a lawsuit against Adamawa Mortgage Bank Ltd, seeking ₦10 billion in damages. The legal action follows a breach in a joint venture agreement between the two parties for a 20.5-hectare property development in Sangere Village, Yola South, Adamawa State.

Adamawa Mortgage Bank Faces ₦10 Billion Lawsuit for Alleged Contract Breach with Wisdom Kwati Smart City

The joint venture was established to transform the Sangere property into a large-scale residential development, with work already underway and over 3.5 billion invested in the construction of over 200 housing units and on the estate’s infrastructures. However, tensions arose when Adamawa Mortgage Bank publicly withdrew from the agreement, and without appropriate notice or engagement with the firm, released a statement on The Cable newspaper on November 9, 2024. In its announcement, the bank warned prospective buyers, stating:

“This is to inform the general public that Adamawa Mortgage Bank Ltd is not selling its land at Sangere-Wisdom Kwati Smart City. Anyone buying land at the property does so at his own risk. Take further notice that the bank has withdrawn from the joint venture agreement with Wisdom Kwati Smart City. Thank you. Signed Management.”

Following this statement, Wisdom Kwati Smart City Ltd, led by Chairman Mr. Wisdom Kwati, filed for both an interlocutory and interim injunction. The lawsuit names both Adamawa Mortgage Bank Ltd and its Managing Director, Dr. Noris Giscard Stanley, as defendants, alleging breach of contract and reputational harm caused by the bank’s public renouncement.

On November 14, 2024, the High Court of Justice of Adamawa State issued an interim injunction, temporarily restraining the mortgage bank from further actions related to the property until a resolution is reached. The court has ordered the defendants to respond to the claims and appear before the court within 30 days of receiving the summons.

The implications of the contract dispute are significant, given the current stage of the project. According to representatives of Wisdom Kwati Smart City Ltd, the company has invested over ₦3.5 billion in construction and developmental costs on over 200 buildings currently under construction at the site, of which over 50 units are at the finishing level of construction, and infrastructural development that are well into the third phase of the company’s five-phase development plan.

Industry observers suggest that a swift resolution of the dispute would be in the best interests of both parties and their investors, who rely on the stability of the joint venture to secure their investments. The project, originally designed to develop 317 mixed housing units, is already well past its midpoint, making it highly unreasonable for a partner to withdraw at this stage.

Wisdom Kwati Smart City Ltd has expressed a commitment to seeing the project through to completion and ensuring that stakeholders are kept informed of any significant developments in the case. Despite the legal steps taken, the real estate company has reportedly made several attempts to resolve the matter through dialogue, but the bank has reportedly not been forthcoming.

BANKING

Afreximbank Acts as Joint Lead Manager on Ecobank Transnational Incorporated’s USD 400mn Senior Unsecured Note Issuance

Published

2 months ago

Christopher

The proceeds of the note will fund general corporate purposes of the issuer, including refinancing of a USD350 million senior bridge-to-bond loan facility that was jointly coordinated by Afreximbank in March 2024.

African Export-Import Bank (“Afreximbank”) (www.Afreximbank.com) is pleased to announce that it has successfully acted as Joint Lead Manager and Bookrunner on a USD 400 million 10.125% Rule 144a/RegS senior unsecured note issuance by Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (“ETI”) due in October 2029.

The note issuance achieved peak orderbook oversubscription of 2.1x, backed by more than 70 high-quality and diverse investors comprising development finance institutions, asset managers, commercial banks and insurance companies from Africa, the UK, USA, Europe and the Middle East.

Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, commenting on the transaction, said: “We are pleased to have supported Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (“ETI”) in placing the first public Eurobond issuance by any Sub-Saharan African financial institution since 2021, following our bridge financing support earlier in the year. This transaction underscores Afreximbank’s capacity and readiness to structure innovative market access solutions for our pan-African banking partners.”

Afreximbank’s Advisory and Capital Markets (ACMA) department acted as Joint Lead Manager and Bookrunner on the issuance, working alongside international and African partners.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

BUSINESS

Japan: African Development Bank Celebrates Three Decades of Japan-Backed Trust Fund

Published

2 months ago

Christopher

Japan: African Development Bank Celebrates Three Decades of Japan-Backed Trust Fund

Over the past three decades, Japan has contributed JPY 5.3 billion ($ 37.4 million) to the PHRDG, supporting 107 projects, with 96 completed and 11 ongoing as of September 2024

The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Policy and Human Resource Development Grant (PHRDG), a bilateral trust fund created by Japan in 1994.The initiative has contributed significantly to the development of Africa’s human capital, supporting over 100 transformational projects across various sectors.

PRST at Keizai group

Presenting a commemorative publication on the trust fund at the Ministry of Finance in Tokyo on Wednesday, 16 October, Dr Akinwumi Adesina Adesina, African Development Bank Group President said the publication highlights three decades of successful collaboration and the impactful projects funded by the Policy and Human Resource Development Grant, as well as the critical role the grant has played in Africa’s socioeconomic development.

Over the past three decades, Japan has contributed JPY 5.3 billion ($ 37.4 million) to the PHRDG, supporting 107 projects, with 96 completed and 11 ongoing as of September 2024. In recent years, the trust fund has seen a notable increase in contributions, underscoring Japan’s renewed commitment to fostering a climate-smart, resilient, inclusive, and integrated Africa.

Japan’s Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs, Atsushi Mimura, said he was pleased the country’s partnership with the African Development Bank Group was going well. He pledged continued support, particularly for the African Development Fund, the private sector, and Japanese and African start-ups

“We look forward to deepening Japan’s relationship with the African Development Bank,” he said.

Mimura described the African Development Bank Group’s partnership with the World Bank’s plan to bring electricity to 300 million Africans (Mission 300) as a powerful narrative that draws attention to the continent’s energy needs.

Adesina commended Japan for its strong support of the African Dev?

elopment Fund, noting that the Fund has delivered impressive results. He sought the country’s support on a wide range of issues, including the 17th general replenishment of the African Development Fund, Mission 300 (http://apo-opa.co/3YcTfy2), Special Drawing Rights, the private sector, and start-ups, among others.

“We thank the people of Japan for standing in solidarity with the people of Africa,” Adesina said.

Since its establishment, the PHRDG has been a vehicle for Japan to share its expertise and experience in human resource development, empowering Africans to lead the transformation of their societies and economies. The grant has supported a wide range of projects aligned with Japan and the African Development Bank Group’s shared objective of human capital development. Officials said the projects have laid the groundwork for accelerated economic growth in Africa.

In a foreword to the Policy and Human Resource Development Grant at 30 publication, Deputy Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs Daiho Fujii, expressed Japan’s pride in celebrating the 30th anniversary of the PHRDG.

“Japan is leading the international community’s efforts to overcome global challenges, particularly those affecting vulnerable populations. Through the PHRDG, we provide technical cooperation to develop the human resources that will drive Africa’s socioeconomic transformation. Our partnership with the African Development Bank Group is key to realizing a more resilient and prosperous Africa.”

As the Policy and Human Resource Development Grant enters its fourth decade, the African Development Bank Group and Japan have expressed eagerness to expand their partnership. With six new projects in the 2024–2025 pipeline, including initiatives in higher education, debt management, and climate-smart agriculture, the trust fund remains a critical tool for delivering impact across Africa, officials said.

Both parties pledged to continue to work hand in hand to unlock the potential of Africa’s human capital, fostering innovation and economic development for generations to come.

Japan–Africa Dream Scholarship Program: Investing in the Future

Among the most impactful PHRDG-funded initiatives is the Japan-Africa Dream Scholarship Program (JADS), launched in 2017. This program aims to develop Africa’s human capital by offering scholarships to high-achieving African students for master’s studies in fields such as agriculture, development economics, energy, and public health. To date, the program has awarded scholarships to 23 students from 10 African countries, two-thirds of whom are women.

Graduates of the JADS program have gone on to make significant contributions to their home countries. Alumni include Mary Yeboah Asantewaa from Ghana, who now works at SORA Technology in Accra, leveraging drone technology to control infectious diseases, and Glory Sibale from Malawi, who joined Tokyo’s Taiyo-Yuka recycling company, focusing on sustainable agricultural project management.

As part of his mission to Japan, Adesina also met with Nobumitsu Hayashi, the Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, to expand collaboration in key areas, including agriculture, healthcare, energy access, support for youth entrepreneurs, critical minerals, and regional corridors.

Later Wednesday, Adesina met with the leadership of the Association of African Economic and Development Japan, where both parties discussed potential collaborations for impactful projects. He continued with meetings with Kanetsugu Mike, Chairman of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, and Ken Shibuya, Co-Chairman of the Global South Africa Committee of Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives).

The African Development Bank president invited business leaders to the 2024 Africa Investment Forum to be held in Rabat in December. Adesina also hosted representatives of the African diplomatic corps, development partners, and the private and public sectors, where they discussed leveraging co-creative relationships with Japanese companies and institutions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).