Understanding The Roots of Procrastination

 

Firstly, What is procrastination?

Delaying or postponing tasks till the very last minute or after their due date is known as procrastination. Procrastination, according to some researchers, is a "form of self-regulation failure characterized by the irrational delay of tasks despite potentially negative consequences."

Not all procrastination originates from laziness. It is a factor that slows down our dreams and acts as a speed bump to our aspirations. It brings unwelcome companions like frustration and tension.

Think about it. That task at work that you keep putting off until "later"? It is an usual sign. Not to mention how it may completely undermine any time management plan.

But why?

We all procrastinate or it is best to say most of us do if not all of us. We have neglected duties throughout history, from the drawing cave artists to the present desk jockeys. We often find excuses to put things off, even when we know they are important.

Tapping into the psychology of procrastination may provide us with some understanding.

Understanding the roots of procrastination involves exploring various psychological, cognitive, and emotional factors that contribute to this behavior. Here are some key aspects to consider:

1. Fear of failure: Fear of not living up to expectations or norms can be the root cause of procrastination, as people put off work to avoid being let down or receiving negative feedback. For instance, an athlete avoids practicing a new skill because they are worried about failing or looking foolish while learning.

2. Perfectionism: Perfectionists who are afraid of making mistakes or delivering work that falls short of their high expectations may put off tasks until later. The overwhelming dread that one cannot accomplish perfection might make people put off beginning or finishing projects. For example, fearing that their first draft may not be flawless, a writer struggles to begin a new project.

3. Lack of self-efficacy: Individuals who have poor self-efficacy may have self-doubt about their capacity to do activities, which makes them put things off in an effort to avoid embarrassing or failing. For instance, if someone thinks they are not qualified enough to get hired, they can put off applying for a job.

4. Task Aversion: When people find things unpleasant, tedious, or overwhelming, they may procrastinate. To prevent discomfort or unpleasant feelings related to these chores, they could put off beginning or finishing them. For example, someone may put off doing chores around the house because they find it boring or unpleasant.

5. Impulsivity: Some people put things off because they have trouble controlling their impulsive tendencies and self-control. They might put short-term satisfaction ahead of long-term objectives, which would cause them to put off crucial chores. For instance, if someone would prefer to hang out with friends than study for an exam, they may put off studying.

6. Poor Time Management: Inadequate time management abilities, such as the inability to properly prioritize work, estimate time, or set reasonable deadlines and goals, can also lead to procrastination. For example, if someone underestimates the time and effort needed to do a wok project, they may put it off.

7. Cognitive Biases: Procrastination can be caused by cognitive biases including the planning fallacy, which underestimates the time and effort needed to finish activities, and present bias, which favors immediate rewards over future rewards. For instance, if someone prioritizes spending money on impulsive wants, they may put off investing or saving for retirement.

8. Emotional Regulation: It is possible that procrastination serves as a coping strategy for unpleasant feelings like tension, boredom, or anxiety. People may put off chores in an attempt to momentarily ease their suffering or avoid facing difficult feelings. For example, a person may put off striking up a tough conversation because they are afraid of what might happen.

These are a few of the psychological theories that can help us understand the roots of procrastination. By recognising the reasons for our delaying behaviour, we can develop strategies to assist us in overcoming procrastination.

References

Ho, L. (2023, October 24). LifeHack. From lifehack.org: https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/6-reasons-on-why-are-you-procrastinating.html

Korunka, C., Prem, R., Scheel, T. E., Weigelt, O., & Hofmann, K. (2018, July 5). frontiers. From frontiersin.org: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01087/full