What Is Procrastination, and Why Do We Do It?

Have you ever had a task that you knew you had to do, but you kept putting it off until the last minute? Have you ever felt guilty or stressed about not doing something that you should have done? If so, you have experienced procrastination.

Procrastination is the act of delaying or avoiding a task that needs to be done, usually because it is unpleasant, boring, or difficult. Procrastination can have many negative consequences, such as missed deadlines, poor performance, stress, anxiety, guilt, and low self-esteem.

But why do we procrastinate? What makes us choose short-term pleasure over long-term benefits? And are there different types of procrastinators?

In this blog post, we will explore the science behind procrastination and how it affects our brains and behavior. We will also look at some of the common types of procrastinators and how they differ in their reasons and strategies for procrastinating.

The Science Behind Procrastination

Procrastination is not a sign of laziness or lack of willpower; it is a complex psychological phenomenon that involves several factors, such as personality, motivation, emotions, cognition, and environment.

One of the main factors that influences procrastination is the way our brains process rewards. Our brains have two systems that are involved in decision making: the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex.

The limbic system is the older and more primitive part of the brain that is responsible for emotions, impulses, and instincts. It seeks immediate gratification and avoids pain. The limbic system is also more active when we are tired, stressed, or bored.

The prefrontal cortex is the newer and more advanced part of the brain that is responsible for planning, reasoning, self-control, and long-term goals. It evaluates the consequences of our actions and helps us overcome temptations. The prefrontal cortex is also less active when we are tired, stressed, or bored.

When we face a task that we don’t want to do, we experience a conflict between these two systems. The limbic system tries to persuade us to do something more enjoyable or easier instead of the task. The prefrontal cortex tries to resist this urge and remind us of the importance and benefits of the task.

However, the limbic system often wins this battle because it is more powerful and dominant than the prefrontal cortex. This is why we tend to procrastinate when we are not in the right mood or state of mind to do the task.

Another factor that influences procrastination is our perception of time. We tend to think of time as either present or future. When we think of a task as something that belongs to the future, we tend to discount its value and importance. We also tend to underestimate how long it will take us to complete the task and overestimate how much time we have left.

However, when the deadline approaches and the task becomes more urgent, we switch our perception of time from future to present. We suddenly realize how valuable and important the task is and how little time we have left. We also experience a surge of stress hormones that activate our fight-or-flight response. This makes us more alert and focused on the task.

This explains why some people work better under pressure and why some people experience a burst of motivation right before a deadline. However, this can also be very stressful and risky because it can lead to poor quality work, errors, or even failure.

The Types of Procrastinators

Not all procrastinators are the same; they have different reasons and strategies for procrastinating. Some researchers classify two types of procrastinators: passive and active procrastinators.

• Passive procrastinators: Delay the task because they have trouble making decisions and acting on them¹. They often feel overwhelmed by their tasks and lack confidence in their abilities. They also tend to suffer from anxiety, guilt, and low self-esteem.
• Active procrastinators: Delay the task purposefully because working under pressure allows them to “feel challenged and motivated”¹. They often have high self-confidence and self-efficacy. They also tend to enjoy their tasks and perform well.

Other researchers have identified more specific types of procrastinators based on their personality traits or cognitive biases. Some examples are:

• The perfectionist: Procrastinates because they have unrealistic standards or expectations for themselves or the task. They fear failure or criticism if they don’t do everything perfectly. They also tend to spend too much time on details or revisions.
• The imposter: Procrastinates because they feel insecure or inadequate about their skills or qualifications². They fear being exposed as a fraud or incompetent if they try something new or challenging. They also tend to avoid feedback or recognition.
• The dread-filled: Procrastinates because they find the task unpleasant, boring, or difficult². They avoid pain or discomfort by doing something more enjoyable or easier instead. They also tend to rationalize or justify their procrastination.
• The overwhelmed: Procrastinates because they have too many tasks or responsibilities to handle². They feel stressed or confused by their workload and priorities. They also tend to lack organization or time management skills.
• The lucky one: Procrastinates because they believe that they can do the task quickly or easily at the last minute². They rely on their luck or intuition to get things done. They also tend to be optimistic or overconfident.

Conclusion

Procrastination is a common and complex problem that can affect our lives in many ways. However, procrastination is not a permanent condition; it is a habit that can be changed with the right strategies and mindset.

In the next blog post, we will share some tips and tricks on how to overcome procrastination and get things done. Stay tuned and don’t miss it! 😉