Why Procrastinate?

Procrastination is, hands down, our favorite form of self-sabotage.

~ Alyce P. Cornyn-Selby

            I’m not a fan of procrastination; I don’t understand why someone wouldn’t do what needs to be done now.   I don’t like the feeling of something hanging over me, gnawing at me until it gets done.  I prefer to feel relief and accomplishment.   However, for many people, procrastination may be the only way to avoid feeling anxious.

            Putting off a decision is actually a decision in itself: to not face things that may make you anxious.  This is usually because the procrastinator has unrealistically high expectations.   The idea of attempting something they can’t do perfectly feels overwhelming.  It’s easier to avoid, make excuses and generally put off what needs to get done.  What if I make the wrong decision?  What if I can’t do it flawlessly?  For the procrastinator, putting things off is easier than facing fears.

            How do we become doers instead of procrastinators?   Here are a few steps I think are helpful.  First, set deadlines.  When you tell yourself you’ll do X task by Y time, usually you can manage to get it done – maybe on Sunday, but it’s still done by the deadline.

            Second, break down a task into small steps.  If your house needs to be cleaned, thinking about the mess in your entire house can be overwhelming.   Clean a closet, even one drawer, or do the dishes.  Don’t try to do it all at once.

            Third, reward yourself for accomplishing your goals.              Finally, visualize yourself accomplishing your goals.  See yourself with the dishes done and your reward in your hand.  Through positive belief in yourself, you’ll get to the end of your to do list.

            If you’re procrastinating about cleaning your house, try doing laundry on Monday, the bathroom on Tuesday, vacuuming on Wednesday, etc.  This big, amorphous job is broken down into specific tasks with deadlines.  If you get the smaller tasks done by Saturday night, you’ll feel good about rewarding yourself for a job well done.  If you visualize it, you can make it so.

Do you self-sabotage via procrastination?  If so, how does it impact your life?