The Real Villain

 

Nitya Tiwari

MBA- I Semester

Batch: 2023-25 

nitya.tiwari2025@sibmnoida.siu.edu.in

3:20 PM is the time now.

Brain - We'll go to work promptly at 4:00 PM.

watching YouTube videos.

playing a few games on a phone.

Surfing Quora and WhatsApp.

The time is 4:09 PM.

Oh, my brain! Shoot! At 5:00 PM sharp, we will resume work.

 

And the cycle goes on.

Well, you're not the only one who has to deal with this.

 

When King Louis XVI eventually decided to provide the French peasants with food after a protracted period of waiting, the revolts had already devolved into a revolution. When Charles eventually consented during the Women’s March on Versailles, the protesters gathered outside his door, but even his advisors realised it was too late. He and his wife Marie Antoinnette made an attempt to flee during the night but were apprehended and executed. With this, the French monarchy ended, and a new, significantly worse system emerged. In essence, the Reign of Terror, one of the darkest periods in history, was brought on by Louis’ procrastination (and the vast number of people dying from hunger while he lived it up at the Palace of Versailles).

Twenty to twenty-five per cent of persons globally engage in chronic procrastination, according to a 2014 study on procrastination and coping. Low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and poor study habits are possible contributing factors. For the same reasons why adults delay, kids might do the same. It’s critical to remember that kids who put off tasks might not understand what is required of them. For instance, a child who waits to turn in their schoolwork may not understand the instructions. Be patient and clear with your expectations if you see your youngster putting things off.

Conversely, kids who consistently put off things can do so because they’ve gone away with it in the past. It’s critical that parents and other carers follow through on requests made to aid youngsters in forming healthy habits. We sometimes struggle to concentrate on the task due to environmental distractions. Many of us can understand how social media might be more alluring than dreaded tasks like paying bills.

Researchers think there has been a recent rise in procrastination. A contributing factor is technology. Procrastination, however, has been documented as a characteristic of humans throughout history. With the abundance of time-wasting possibilities and distractions that technology offers, putting things off is simpler than ever. However, it also provides us with resources and applications that enable us to remain disciplined, productive, and organised, enabling us to avoid procrastination and complete our tasks.

According to social media specialists, technology causes Akrasia, a form of procrastination in which people spend more time on relatively pointless pursuits than pressing obligations. A lack of self-control or the tendency to behave against one’s better judgment is referred to as akrasia. Aristotle and Socrates, two legendary figures, employed the idea for the first time. Akrasia, according to Unay, a science and technology author and speaker from Istanbul, arises from a loss of self-control and acting out against your better judgment.

However, not all of it is awful. We can avoid procrastination and maintain our attention on what’s important by using various digital tools and apps. Procrastination problems can be creatively solved with technology. Time management and productivity can be improved with the use of apps like Trello and Rescue Time. Tools for combating procrastination, such as virtual assistant applications and online coaching, are now easier to obtain thanks to technology. The stigma associated with seeking help may be lessened. It has been demonstrated that websites based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, such as MoodGYM and Beating the Blues, can decrease procrastination and boost productivity.

Due to the wide variety of apps, it can be difficult to choose from the many solutions available to boost motivation and productivity. While it might aid in overcoming procrastination, technology can also contribute to it. We become side-tracked by social networking and entertainment apps, which leads to a propensity for procrastination. Technology can’t force us to perform the work, even when we have access to various resources. In order to beat procrastination, we need to adopt a positive outlook and take control of our own drive.

Technology has the ability to greatly assist us in overcoming procrastination and achieving our goals. But it’s crucial to balance our use of technology with self-reflection and a will to break bad behaviours.