Procrastination

Procrastination is the act of delaying or putting off tasks until the last minute, or past their deadline. Some researchers define procrastination as a “form of self-regulation failure characterized by the irrational delay of tasks despite potentially negative consequences.”

Whether you’re putting off finishing a project for work, avoiding homework assignments, or ignoring household chores, procrastination can have a major impact on your job, your grades, and your life.

In most cases, procrastination is not a sign of a serious problem. It’s a common tendency that we all give in to at some point or another. For some people, however, procrastination becomes chronic and constitutes a serious issue.

Based on different behavioral styles, these types of procrastination has been identified:

Perfectionist: puts off tasks out of the fear of not being able to complete a task perfectly

Dreamer: puts off tasks because they are not good at paying attention to detail

Defier: doesn’t believe someone should dictate their time schedule

Worrier: puts off tasks out of fear of change or leaving the comfort of “the known.”

Crisis-maker: puts off tasks because they like working under pressure

Overdoer: takes on too much and struggles with finding time to start and complete task

Chronic procrastination has been linked to a number of negative associations, such as depression, irrational behavior, low self-esteem, anxiety and ADHD. It is also often associated with guilt and stress.

If procrastination is a chronic issue for you, if it negatively affects your life, such as your relationships and professional or financial well-being, you might benefit from addressing it with your therapist.