Mañana Habit also known as Manyana Habit is a type of negative behavior of some Filipinos that causes them to postpone the tasks at hand for an indefinite time in the future.
“Mañana” is a Spanish word that means “Tomorrow” or “Future” in English. “Habit” means the behavior patterns of doing things, often subconsciously. So, when we combine the two words to form the phrase “Mañana Habit,” we can define it as the behavior pattern of doing things tomorrow or in the future.
The word “Mañana” originates from Spain. It is the Spanish people who introduced the word “Mañana” to Filipinos when the Philippines became a Spanish colony from the year 1521 to 1898. Spaniards pronounce it as “Mah-nyah-nah”. Filipinos pronounce it in Tagalog as “Man-ya-na”.
Filipinos who have the mañana habit often verbally or mentally say to themselves phrases such as “mamaya na”, “Saka na lang”, “mamaya na lang”, “bukas na lang”, “sa susunod na araw na lang”, “hindi pa naman kailangan” and such.
These phrases refer to intentionally delaying doing a task today and choosing to do it tomorrow or in the future. The word “tomorrow” could mean from 12:00 a.m. midnight to 11:59 p.m. of the following day. Meanwhile, the word “future” could mean the time to come or indefinitely.
The word “Procrastination” is the English counterpart for Mañana Habit. Because they have the same definition which is to postpone doing a task now for a later time.
What are Examples of Tagalog Phrases that Express Mañana Habit
These are examples/halimbawa of phrases/sentences that we hear from people who developed the said negative habit. Notice also that there is always an element of delay to these.
- Bukas na lang ako mag aaral, malayo pa naman ang exam eh
- Sa susunod na araw na lang ako mag lilinis ng bahay pag may time na
- Mamaya na lang ako pupunta ng palengke busy pa ako (mag browse ng social media)
- Saka na ako mag iipon ng pang retirement ko, bata pa naman ako, hindi pa kailangan mag ipon
- Saka na ako mag exercise medyo busy lang (panonood ng TV)
- Sa makalawa
- Teka muna or teka lang!
How to Avoid Developing the Mañana Habit Behavior
These are some of the tangible things that you can do to avoid developing the mañana habit. When we say, tangible it means you can see, touch, and feel them.
- Create a To-Do List
One way to avoid the mañana habit is to create a “To-do list” of the things that you need to accomplish for the day. Make sure that you put it in a highly visible location. You can write your list in a Post-it note and then attach it to a mirror, on the fridge door, or on the edge of your desktop screen. It will remind you of the important things that you need to do for the day. Do the same when you create a to-do list for the week, month, quarter, or year.
- Make a Vision Board, Visualize
The “to-do list” is for your short-term goals. Your vision board is similar but it is your to-do list for your long-term goals. You can create a vision board the size of an A1 paper (23.4 inches x 33.1 inches). Fill it with images of the person you want to become, the life you want to live, or the family you want to have.
Again, place this board in a place that is highly visible to you. It will serve as a reminder as well as help you visualize the things that you want to accomplish in the near future.
- Have the Courage to Take Action even if you Start Small
Another way to avoid the mañana habit is to have the courage to take even the smallest steps. For example, on your to-do list, you can write down just 2 tasks on it. Then do whatever it takes to accomplish them within the day. The thought of getting them done can help increase your self-esteem. It can also build momentum. Perhaps in the coming days, you will get inspired to write 3 tasks or 4 tasks and still be able to accomplish them.
- Do Meditation to Promote Self-Awareness
In many cases, being self-aware can help prevent us from falling into negative habits. Simply because we become conscious of the things that we currently think, do, and feel.
For example, when we become aware of the things that run through our minds, we can know if we are procrastinating or delaying the task. We will also know the things that we are doing at the moment that causes us to procrastinate. Once we know the cause of procrastination, we will have the courage to act and change them.
- Exercise Daily to Increase Willpower
The Mañana habit may be a result of low willpower. After all, the reason we delay doing the important task is that we didn’t have enough willpower to start them. So how can we increase our willpower? One way is by exercising daily even for 5 minutes to 10 minutes a day. Again, what’s important is to build momentum.
Can Mañana Habit Become a Bad Behavior of Job Seekers?
Yes, Mañana habit can become a bad behavior of job seekers. Having a Mañana habit can cause job seekers to procrastinate crafting that resume, delay signing up on career sites, and postpone searching for jobs.
