Why Do We Procrastinate?

The definition of a procrastinator is: ‘someone who keeps delaying things that must be done.’

Procrastination might come in the form of doing lots of smaller tasks that aren’t so important, to avoid the bigger ones that are.

But it can also mean putting off those smaller tasks too – perhaps you find yourself doing anything but that one little thing you really need to do.

Does this sound familiar? If so, don’t worry – you’re not alone.

A survey by Legal & General found that procrastination has affected the lives of more than half of the UK (52%) and the top five tasks they are putting off include: housework, exercise, home repairs, dentistry and finances.

So, We Understand We Are Procrastinating, but Why Do We Do It?

The act of procrastinating is associated with laziness by some, and perhaps you’ve even had this view yourself – but this is not the case. You are going to do it eventually, you’re often just struggling to get started – or perhaps, finished.

Firstly, there are four types of procrastinators. These are:

1. The Performer – This type of procrastinator claims to work well under pressure and so gives this as their reason for leaving tasks until the last possible minute.
2. The Self-Deprecator – This person is hard on themselves – these are the ones who are most likely to see their procrastination as laziness.
3. The Overbooker – Being too busy is the reason this person procrastinates. They often fill up their calendar or ‘to do’ list, and so can’t find the time to get to certain tasks.
4. The Novelty Seeker – if you keep coming up with new ideas and not completing a previous one, then you may be the novelty seeker.

Do you feel like you fit into one of the above?

Understanding what type of procrastinator you are, will go some way, to helping you know what you need to do to overcome it.

But what is making you procrastinate in the first place? It could be that the task is boring, and you simply don’t want to do it or it could be one of the following:

• ” Fear of failure / negative feedback
• ” Anxiety / depression
• ” It’s overwhelming
• ” Perfectionism
• ” Rewards are too far in the future
• ” Lack of energy / exhaustion
• ” Indecisiveness

These factors hinder our self-control and motivation to get a task done – which is why we don’t always do something, even though we know we should, and that we’ll have to, eventually.

Whatever the reason for putting it off, that task won’t go away, and will no doubt be on your mind until you do it.

Sometimes it’s the small tasks that we procrastinate on the most – and in doing so, they become far bigger and something we increasingly start to dread.

So, if you find yourself procrastinating, whatever the task and no matter the reason – the most important thing is self-compassion. Don’t beat yourself up for procrastinating because you will only make it worse.

Forgive yourself and accept that it has taken a little longer for you to get it done. this will ultimately reduce the stress that comes with it, and help make it easier to do the task when it comes to it.