Procrastinating, why do we do it

If you are like most people, you have probably experienced the frustration of procrastination. It’s that feeling of knowing you should be doing something, but for some reason, you just can’t bring yourself to do it. Maybe you’re putting off writing that paper or starting that diet. Whatever the case may be, procrastination can be a real pain.

There are several reasons why people procrastinate. For some, it’s a way of avoiding something that they don’t want to do. For others, it may be a form of self-sabotage. Whatever the reason, procrastination is a problem that can be overcome.

There are a few simple steps you can take to start

The Psychology of Procrastination

Sometimes, people procrastinate because they’re afraid of the unknown. They don’t know what will happen if they succeed. Or, they may be afraid of failure. They don’t want to try something new and risk not being good at it.

Procrastinating

First, identify the reason you are procrastinating. Once you know why you’re doing it, you can start to address the problem. Second, set small goals. Trying to accomplish too much at once can be overwhelming and lead to even more procrastination. Take things one step at a time. Lastly, give yourself some grace. Beating yourself up over every little thing isn’t going to help. If you mess up, dust yourself off and try again.

Procrastination doesn’t have to be a permanent problem. With a little effort, you can overcome it and start living a more productive life.

The Fear of Failure

Sometimes, people procrastinate because they’re afraid of the unknown. They don’t know what will happen if they succeed. If you’re like most people, you have probably experienced the frustration of procrastination. You may have a project that’s due in a few days, but you can’t seem to get started on it. Or, you may have a goal that you’re been wanting to achieve for months, but you keep putting it off. Why do we do this?

There are a few theories as to why we procrastinate. One is that we’re afraid of failure. We don’t want to start something if there’s a chance we might not be able to finish it. Or, we may be afraid of success. We might think that we’re not good enough or that we don’t deserve to achieve our goals.

Another theory is that we have a fear of the unknown. We’re not sure what will happen if we start working on our project or achieving our goal. We might be afraid of what we’ll find out about ourselves.

Whatever the reason, procrastination can be a real problem. It can keep us from reaching our goals and achieving our dreams.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help you overcome procrastination. Here are a few tips:

1. Set a deadline.

One of the best ways to overcome procrastination is to set a deadline. When you have a deadline, it’s easier to get started on your project or goal. It’s also easier to stay focused and motivated.

2. Break your goal into smaller steps.

If your goal seems too big or overwhelming, break it down into smaller steps. This will help you feel more confident and motivated. You’ll also be less likely to get discouraged or give up.

3. Find a support group.

There are many groups and forums online where you can find support and motivation. Sometimes it helps to know that you are not alone in your struggle with procrastination.

4. Get a coach or mentor.

If you can afford it, consider hiring a coach or mentor. This is someone who can help you stay accountable and motivated.

The Fear of Success

Sometimes, people procrastinate because they’re afraid of the unknown. They don’t know what will happen if they succeed. Procrastination is the act of putting off or delaying something. We all do it from time to time, but for some people, it’s a chronic problem that can have a major impact on their lives. If you’re a chronic procrastinator, you may feel like you can’t get anything done. You may have difficulty meeting deadlines, and you may find yourself feeling anxious and stressed.

There are a number of reasons why people procrastinate. In some cases, it may be due to a lack of motivation or interest in the task at hand. In other cases, it may be due to anxiety or fear of failure. And in some cases, it may be due to simple laziness. Regardless of the reason, procrastination can be a major obstacle to your success.

The good news is that there are many things you can do to overcome procrastination and get things done. Below are five tips to help you get started:

1. Identify Your Reasons for Procrastinating

The first step to overcoming procrastination is to identify your reasons for putting things off. Do you procrastinate because you’re not interested in the task? Do you procrastinate because you’re anxious or afraid of failing? Once you know why you’re procrastinating, you can begin to find ways to overcome those reasons.

 2. Break Down the Task into Smaller Steps

One of the reasons people procrastinate is that they feel overwhelmed by the task at hand. If you’re facing a large and daunting task, try breaking it down into smaller steps. This will make the task feel less daunting and will make it easier for you to get started.

3. Set a Time limit for Yourself

Another way to overcome procrastination is to set a time limit for yourself. If you know you only have 20 minutes to work on a task, you’re likely to be more productive than if you give yourself an unlimited amount of time.

The Fear of the Unknown

Sometimes, people procrastinate because they’re afraid of the unknown. They don’t know what will happen if they succeed. How many times have you told yourself you’ll start that diet on Monday? How many times have you put off studying for that test until the night before? If you’re like most people, you’re a master of procrastination. But why do we do it?

There are two types of procrastination: active and passive. Active procrastination is when we choose to do something else instead of the task at hand. Passive procrastination is when we allow outside forces to determine how we spend our time. For example, you may have every intention of starting that diet on Monday, but then your boss asks you to stay late at work and you don’t have time to cook.

So why do we procrastinate?

There are of course rational explanations for why we put things off. Maybe we’re not motivated to complete a task that we consider to be mundane or unpleasant. Maybe we sense that we’re not up to the challenge and would rather do something that doesn’t require as much effort. Maybe we believe that we’ll never get around to it anyway and it’s not worth the trouble.

But there are also some irrational reasons for procrastination. Maybe we’re afraid that we’ll fail. Maybe we’re afraid that we’ll succeed. Maybe we’re afraid that we’ll be judged. Maybe we’re afraid that we’ll be rejected. Maybe we’re afraid that we’ll be alone. Maybe we’re afraid of change. All of these fears can lead us to put off doing something that we really need or want to do. And once we start down the road of procrastination, it can be hard to break out of the cycle. We tell ourselves that we’ll do it tomorrow, and then tomorrow comes and we find another excuse.

If you find yourself in a pattern of procrastination, it’s important to try to identify the reasons why. Once you know what’s holding you back, you can start to work on overcoming those fears. And if you can’t do it alone, there’s no shame in seeking out help.

How to Overcome Procrastination

Conclusion

There are a few simple steps you can take to start overcoming procrastination. First, identify WHY you’re procrastinating. Is it because you’re avoiding something? Or is it because you’re unsure of how to start? Once you know the reason, you can start to develop a plan to overcome it.

Second, set yourself up for success by making things as easy as possible. If you’re procrastinating on writing a paper, for example, break the task down into smaller, more manageable parts. Write the outline first, then the introduction, then the body paragraphs, and so on.

Third, give yourself a deadline. This will help to create a sense of urgency and force you to take action.

Lastly, if you can’t seem to do it alone it’s time to seek some help. Together we will reach into your subconscious and heal whatever is holding you back.

SHARE this content

× How can I help you?