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She woke up with a start to the sound of guns going off- No she was not present at a crime scene (she was very much in her bed with the laptop playing a crime show on Netflix). Except – she wasn’t supposed to Netflix & Chill- not now, not when Prelims was a few weeks away (Reminder: less than 4 weeks to go). But she just wanted a 5 minute break (which turned into a binge watch session of the entire series). Just 5 minutes – usually became 15 minutes…50 minutes…and then tomorrow. Procrastination had become her habit now.
Does it sound a little familiar? Any fellow procrastinators here? (Drop a comment!) Do you remember how you used to study the entire syllabus in 1 night & ace the paper during your college days? How last minute studying was your go-to method? Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but the Civil Services Examinations can’t be cracked like that. It needs a dedicated approach every single day (well almost). We all procrastinate to a certain extent- you are not alone. But it’s good to replace a bad habit with a good one of being prompt in our actions & work. We’ll share a few tips on how to stop delaying accomplishing things. Please do leave a comment & tell us how you do it.
The Cambridge dictionary defines procrastination as “to keep delaying something that must be done, often because it is unpleasant or boring.” Sitting in a room/library all by yourself, with books and some more books for company & your thoughts as your closest friend, can get very monotonous & unpleasant. We completely understand (we’ve been there too!). So you may put off solving a small quiz, writing an answer, essay or revising something important to “TOMORROW”. But the targets keep accumulating & carried forward – stressing you out.
Why do we procrastinate? Heard of the term instant gratification? You know how they call upsc a marathon and not a sprint? Well, sometimes the reward of clearing the exam seems so far into the distant future, that we seek to reward ourselves now with the momentary joy that multiple distractions around us provide. It’s good to take a break & we recommend it – but it shouldn’t stretch into an unreasonably long break- this derails your momentum & focus. Take regular, small breaks. But do not delay accomplishing your targets for the day.
Sometimes, you may also feel a little under-confident about your abilities. This makes you delay writing that Secure answer or getting your essays reviewed. You may want to become perfect first (such a state doesn’t exist) – before trying new things. But you can only learn by doing. It’s ok to falter, nobody knows anything the first or second time they try it. One learns by making mistakes. You must keep trying & not procrastinate.
Israelmore Ayivor has written “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in installments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day’s success.”
So don’t delay. Do your tasks for the day as your sacred duty. You will see progress.
“How easy it is to slip.
How hard it is to climb.
How wise it is to keep in step
And never fall behind.”
-Richelle E. Goodrich
Don’t fall behind, do not slip now. The next few days will determine whether you will write Mains or wait till Prelims 2023. Stay consistent. You should not regret that you could have done more. We just want you to give it your 100%. Do not worry about the outcome, focus on your efforts.
One task at a time, one answer at a time, One day at a time. Keep going.
Until next time!
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