Do you put things off till the last minute? When you have something important that needs to be done, do you find a million other things to do to delay your progress?   If so, you are a procrastinator.   We all do it at times, but sometimes we do it too often, and it becomes a habit.

Don’t beat yourself up over being a procrastinator. Highly driven, accomplished people procrastinate, too. People use every excuse under the sun.

why do you procrastinate

In our last post, Is Procrastination Sabotaging Your Success? we discussed the negative impacts of procrastinating. It not only affects your career success, but it can be harmful to your health and mental status as well.

People procrastinate for a variety of reasons. One of the primary reasons people procrastinate is because they are perfectionists. Some procrastinate because they are afraid of failure. People also procrastinate because they are overwhelmed by a task. Procrastination can also be a form of self-sabotage. So if we know it is something that can harm us, why do we continue to procrastinate and put things off till the last minute? Let’s take a closer look at the various reasons.

7 Reasons Why We Procrastinate

1. Lack of Motivation

One of the primary reasons why people procrastinate is because they lack motivation. There are a variety of reasons why someone may lack motivation, including a lack of interest in the task at hand or a belief that the job is too difficult. When people are not motivated to complete a task, they are less likely to start it or to see it through to completion.

2. Fear of Failure

Another reason why people may procrastinate is because they are afraid of failing. People who are fearful of failing may be reluctant to start a task as they do not want to face the possibility of not being able to complete it. This fear can often be paralyzing, preventing people from even starting tasks that they would otherwise be able to complete successfully.

3. Perfectionism

Perfectionism is another common reason for procrastination. Perfectionists often have difficulty starting tasks as they feel that they need to do them perfectly to be successful. This can often lead to paralysis as people try to achieve an impossible standard.

4. Time Management Issues

People may also procrastinate due to time management issues. If someone feels they do not have enough time to complete a task, they may be less likely to start it. This can often lead to a vicious cycle as the more someone procrastinates, the less time they will have to complete their tasks.

5. Distractions or Lack of Focus

Distractions can come from various sources, including technology, other people, and even one’s own thoughts. Distractions can also lead to procrastination. When people are distracted, they may find it more challenging to focus on the task at hand and may be more likely to put it off until later.

6. Overwhelmed With The Task

Sometimes tasks seem much bigger and more complicated than they actually are. When someone thinks so much about the task and what needs to be done, they become overwhelmed and often freeze and don’t take action. They keep putting it off because they are overwhelmed.  

7. Fear Of Success

Just like people fear failure, some fear success. What will people say if they are successful? How will they handle all the responsibility if they land that new position? How much extra time will it take in the new role? All those thoughts create a fear of success that makes some people procrastinate. 

There are many other reasons, but these are the ones we see most commonly in chronic procrastinators.

What is Next?

Our subsequent posts will identify the procrastination buckets you might see yourself in and the various procrastination triggers to be aware of. Then we will end the series with how to prevent and overcome procrastination. Keep your eyes out for the upcoming article.

I Am Here To Help

I would love to speak with you to determine if I can help you accomplish your goals. If you need guidance on your career, I am here to help.   If you find yourself in a situation where you need career advice or support and want to talk about planning for your future, reach out to me,  Rachel Schneider, at Career Find, for a free Intro Call.