Procrastination – a difficult word that makes life difficult

This word is not often used, and probably you’ve never come across it before, still a lot of people (including you may be) procrastinate every day of their lives. Longman dictionary gives the following definition: to procrastinate – to delay repeatedly and without good reason doing something that must be done.

How often do you put off doing something? You know you should do it, but you don’t. We often try to put off difficult tasks, unpleasant things. In spite of what the dictionary says, usually we have reasons for putting things off, we say to ourselves:

• I don’t have time.

• It’s unpleasant.

• I have too many other things to do.

• It’s difficult.

• I don’t feel like doing it now.

• I have a headache.

• I’m tired.

• Let me have a cup of coffee first.

• It might not work.

• I’ll do it when I can concentrate on it.

• I must think about it.

• Before I start I think I’ll take a break.

Well, we can think of plenty of excuses. However scientists say that the main reason for procrastination is fear or worry. We are simply afraid of doing something, so we invent excuses, try to put off doing it and secretly hope that the problem will go away by itself. It does not. Instead procrastination creates more fear and worry and more problems.

Procrastination is a bad habit, which can affect your work and your life. Try to fight it. The following tips may help:

• Keep your to-do list – write down things you have to do.

• Break down big jobs into smaller parts – even five minutes is enough to do something. The most difficult thing is to start. Once you start you usually get going. So get started.

• Try to get a better sense of time. We often think the job will take forever and so we try to avoid it.

• Set deadlines to yourself. If it doesn’t work, make them public.

Remember: procrastination wastes a lot of your time and time lost is lost forever, yesterday will never come back.

· Does procrastination affect your life?

• Do you often put off doing something?
• What do you think is the main reason for procrastination?
• How can we fight a habit of putting off difficult tasks?

FOLLOW-UP

Express the following in one word.

waste, procrastinate, excuse, failure, deadline

1 delay action

2 use without a good purpose

3 fixed date for finishing (doing) something

4 reason given (true or invented) to explain or defend one’s conduct

5 lack of success

Fill in the correct word from the list below.

avoid, put off, excuses, success, discipline, procrastinated, wasted

1 There’s always the temptation to … the most difficult task till last.

2 He … until it was too late.

3 He’s always making … for being late.

4 Try to … danger.

5 The thought of … years behind him made Mark sick with bitterness.

6 He had all the attributes of a great leader: charisma, energy, ... and resourcefulness.

7 All great leaders share certain characteristics which must be seen as the key to their ... .

30. Work with a partner. What advice would you give somebody who wants to fight a habit of putting off difficult tasks? Give advice using should or shouldn’t.

Example:

You should learn to plan your time.

You should remember: the longer you put it off, the worse it will be.

You shouldn’t leave your work until it’s done.

USEFUL PHRASES get rid of your doubts and fears; list what you have to do; look at large projects as a series of steps you complete one at a time; divide the task into parts you can manage; focus on one task at a time

Render the text in Russian.

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WHAT ARE THE WAYS TO PREVENT TIREDNESS?

(Some important rules suggested by psychologists)

1. Rest before you get tired (not after).

2. Learn to relax. If you are having hard times find a quiet half-hour all for yourself to gain strength.

3. Don’t forget about four good working habits:

· clean your desk of all papers except those you need at hand;

· do things in order of their importance;

· when you face a problem, first analyse the facts, then make a decision;

· learn to organize things.

4. Put enthusiasm into your work; it’s the only way to enjoy what you are doing.

5. Remember: no one was ever killed by doing well-organized work.

6. Don’t be a mental loafer. Don’t be afraid to concentrate on some ideas, to think hard and to exercise your will and memory.

SPEAKING

Everyday routine

Useful Words and Expressions

to get up / to wake up; to wash / to shave; to have a shower/a bath; to put on one’s clothes / to get dressed; to have breakfast; to go to work/university; to have (a) lunch (break); to finish work; to do some shopping / to go shopping; to go home / to come home; to go to bed / to go to sleep.