Procrastination--the habitual delaying of what must or should be done--is often treated lightly, even joked about. The ramifications, however, can be serious. School or work deadlines are missed, opportunities are lost, and the resulting stress can take a toll on health. Procrastination may also be a symptom of an underlying mental health concern such as depression or attention-deficit disorder (ADD). Ultimately, when procrastination becomes a routine, it is one of the greatest roadblocks to success.
Most people put off unpleasant tasks occasionally, but true procrastinators find the struggle to get down to business affects a wide range of life's tasks on an ongoing basis, even routine responsibilities, such as paying bills or cleaning the house. Twenty percent of people identify themselves as chronic procrastinators, according to a report in Psychology Today. Moreover, while the types of people who procrastinate are varied and from all walks of life, the problem has similar roots, effects, and behaviors at its most fundamental level.
Procrastination is not a time-management problem; rather, it is a self-regulation problem. Procrastinators often have anxiety or doubts about their abilities, or about the perception others have of their abilities. Many procrastinators would prefer others think they lack drive instead of providing the opportunity for others to question their capabilities. An underlying fear of failure or fear of success is also common.
Other procrastinators become paralyzed by the inability to make decisions. This is a way of avoiding the accountability that comes with producing results. Others simply seek the rush triggered by the pressure of operating at the very last minute. Whatever the underlying motivation, procrastination is typically characterized by a tendency toward perfectionism. Often, excessive daydreaming about achievement and success accompanies this tendency.
There is generally some dishonesty involved in procrastination. People lie to themselves to justify their inaction. They tell themselves, for example, that they work better under pressure, or that they will be more in the mood to do what they have to do tomorrow. These are excuses, though, not justifications.
Some people remain calm during procrastination, while others feel intense anxiety. However, both types find distractions to occupy their time. They frequently opt for a series of small distractions, rather than anything requiring much effort or time commitment.
To find success, a definitive decision must be made to overcome procrastination and push ahead toward productivity. It certainly is not easy, as it requires an honest look at underlying psychological motivations. However, with determination to reverse well-established but dysfunctional habits, procrastinators can learn to stop making things more difficult, squandering their abilities, and preventing themselves from achieving.