Chronic Procrastination- The Puzzle Pieces
There are three main parts to the procrastination puzzle.
- Activation Event: This refers to the task you are putting off.
- Belief System: These are your hidden feelings about the task or for whom you are performing (or avoiding) the task
- Consequence: This is what happens when we postpone or ditch the task
Procrastination is counterproductive behavior. We discussed possible causes in a previous post, i.e. fear of success, low sense of self-worth, self-defeating behavior, depression, ADHD, etc. Now let’s look at what this chronic procrastination might costs us.
Procrastination may result in:
- Lowered productivity and declining job performance
- Loss of job
- Loss of home, cars, credit cards (procrastination with bill-paying)
- Marital problems and/or divorce
- Strained friendships
- Feelings of guilt and shame
- Depression
- Stress…leading to poor health
Many procrastinators do not seek help and support because of social stigmas attached to procrastination. Psychologists refer to Chronic Procrastination as “task-aversion”, which, in our workaholic and puritanical society is inappropriately characterized as “laziness”.
It is said that 20% of the population identify as being chronic procrastinators. Many psychologists believe that procrastination comes about as a response to an overbearing parent. It often is a way to show “control”, much like some eating disorders. Remember, chronic procrastination is a maladaptive behavior and is not just a problem with time management.
Next we will look at ways to begin to overcome procrastination
Judy W Bell
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Tags: belief system, Chronic procrastination, declining job performance, dpression, fear of success, Judy W Bell, lowered work productivity, self worth, time management tips