What Makes You Procrastinate?

By: Jana Allemeier NCC, LMHC

All of us procrastinate on occasion. For some people, it’s a chronic problem; for others, it’s only a problem in certain life areas. Procrastination is always frustrating because it results in wasted time, lost opportunities, disappointing work performance, and generally feeling bad about yourself.

When you procrastinate, you allow less important tasks to take up the time and space that should be devoted to more important things. You do things like hanging out with friends when you know that an important work project is due soon, or going shopping instead of doing your homework. It can also be evident in behavior such as talking about trivial things with your partner to avoid discussing important issues in your relationship.

Most people don’t have a problem finding time for things they want to do. But once they see a task as too difficult, painful, boring, or overwhelming, the procrastination behaviors begin. You are not alone if you have ever made any of the following excuses to yourself:

1. It’s too cold to exercise outside today. I’ll wait until tomorrow when it’s warmer.
2. I’ve got too many other things to do first.
3. I’ll do a better job when I can concentrate on this project.
4. I still have lots of time to get this done.
5. This problem is too hard to talk about. I wouldn’t know where to start.
6. I work better under pressure.
7. It’s too noisy to work while my teenager is at home.
8. I should get the shopping down now because the stores will be more crowded later.
9. I can eat this pie tonight, because I’m starting my diet tomorrow.
10. My tooth doesn’t really hurt that much. The pain will probably go away tomorrow.

What Makes You Procrastinate Cont...