Why Procrastinate? Read This Now.

If there is one way to almost ensure a lack of success, procrastination would be it. Procrastination is the deferment of actions or tasks to a later time. It is actually a coping mechanism for the anxiety that comes with having to handle a job or function. David Allen sites two psychological reasons for procrastination, both of which are related to anxiety. The first is attributed to a project being so small it is not worth doing while there are other larger things to be done. The second is that a project is so large and daunting, it is difficult to start because of the potential for time and effort involved.

There are several reasons people chose to procrastinate even though it comes at a price to themselves and their endeavors. Joseph Ferrari, Ph.D. and Timothy Pychyl, Ph.D. are two of the world leaders in procrastination research and here are what they deem to be the biggest reasons people put off for tomorrow what they can do today.

Twenty percent of the population considers itself a procrastinator. They don’t do anything on time. They pay their bills, arrive at work, celebrate events, arrive at concerts and shows, and anything else – late. They don’t feel the need to be punctual for anything even if it is in their own best interest.

We don’t hold people accountable for their actions. When someone gives an excuse for missing a deadline we often don’t react or impose sanctions for their irresponsible actions. If someone says “I got stuck in traffic” or “my child is sick and I couldn’t get away quick enough” we, as a society tend to accept that. This creates patterns of habit.

Dr Ferrari says procrastinators are not just poor time managers or planners, they have an inability to commit to getting things done. In the doctor’s words, “Telling someone who procrastinates to buy a weekly planner is like telling someone with chronic depression to just cheer up”.

Procrastinators are made not born. One reason some people become procrastinators is because they had harsh over bearing parents who did not allow them to learn how to regulate and schedule themselves. In addition, people around them feel badly for them so they allow the excuses and then a cycle of behavior has been created.

Procrastinators believe they work better under pressure and so lie to themselves and say they will get the work done faster and more creatively of they wait until the last minute, this however is rarely the case.

Procrastinators are constantly looking to find a distraction. If a procrastinator is in the midst of a project and an email pops up, they will almost certainly stop what they are doing to check emails.

Some people procrastinate for the thrill or the rush of it, others for fear of failure, and still others do it because they cannot make a decision.

How do we put an end to procrastination? One philosophy is to keep things you need to get done as simple as possible, you know, KISS – keep it simple stupid.

Ø Begin by making a list of what needs to get done in order or priority

Ø Create a deadline for yourself on each task you have listed and stick to it

Ø Take larger tasks and separate them into smaller goals and steps, small tasks should be done right away

Ø Be careful not to overbook yourself. Look at what you have set in your list as things to do and then be careful about what else you agree to do.

There are many ways to handle the problem of procrastination. You need to find what works for you and stick to it. Make a plan and stick to it until it becomes a pattern of behavior or a habit.

Sign up for our newsletter