Anxiety Treatment NYC: Why You Put Off This Post About Procrastination  & (What to Do Next)

If you are a procrastinator, you don’t “just do it.” You don’t “dive in” or “seize the day”.

At least, not right away. And not because you don’t think you should. 

Usually, you just do ”it” much later. You swim around the main task or tackle many others until the very last minute. Then, you finally get to work.  Or get an extension.

Of course, all of this is often accompanied by inner dread, eventual all-nighters, and maybe the additional and very common claim that you “work better under pressure.”

Don’t be too hard on yourself. Procrastination happens to most of us. You’re not the only one struggling to make rational decisions and take timely action when you should.

Still, if you find that procrastination is complicating the way you function and relate, it makes sense to take a closer look at why you might be getting in your own way.

Anxiety Treatment NYC: Why You Keep Procrastinating When You Know You Shouldn’t 

Dealing with chronic procrastination issues may lie with a couple of key points regarding your feelings, thoughts, and reactions.

First, the assumptions you’re making might not be true.

If you’ve read or received much advice bout procrastination, you probably gleaned a few unflattering judgments regarding your behavior:

  • Your time management skills suck.
  • You lack self-discipline or self-control.
  • You’re generally lazy. 
  • You need a long list of tips to become a better person (ie. “15 Ways to Stop Procrastinating & Ruining Your Life”)

All of this can take a toll on your self-image. It can also lead to untrue or overblown assumptions about who you are. In other words, if you approach procrastination as a character defect instead of a human response, you may miss the opportunity to be curious and exercise self-compassion. You’re also likely to become anxious and prone to unhelpful self-criticism.

So, slow down and look at your procrastination experience intentionally. Tune in to the thoughts leading up to the choice to procrastinate and after. Many times, procrastination advice and coaching neglect important information: 

Procrastination isn’t really a problem with managing time. It’s often a problem dealing with the associated emotions. 

Second, your procrastination may not be a time thing, but an avoidance thing.

The truth? You understand time and you know how to live your life. You know how to get up on time and catch a train. You can schedule a meeting and leave work in time for a dinner date. Time management is not a mystery to you. Thus, you likely aren’t procrastinating because you don’t grasp deadlines or time management software.

Consider that you may be procrastinating because the way your time must be spent makes you feel uncomfortable. Perhaps you put things off because the activity or expectation

  • bores you
  • stresses you
  • pressures you
  • frustrates you
  • anger you 
  • constraints you
  • or scares you

… and you don’t want to deal with those feelings. 

In short, perhaps procrastination is simply your avoidance technique. When you feel overwhelmed, do you choose a more mentally pleasing off-ramp? Note: YouTube videos and Amazon are a common detour for seasoned procrastinators and task-avoiders everywhere. 

Again, you aren’t alone. However, once you’ve spent time procrastinating (no matter how fun or valuable the alternate activity), you’re often left with more feelings. Emotions like

  • guilt
  • regret
  • panic
  • physical upset
  • and more low self-esteem.

So, what’s the solution? 

Try awareness, acceptance, and support. To prevent yourself from continuing the procrastination cycle, losing faith in your capabilities, and/or taxing your health, it’s important to deal with your feelings productively.

Anxiety Treatment NYC: How Therapy Helps Pause Your Procrastination Inclination

So, what’s the next step? The goal is to seek help from the right source. Tune out the time management gurus. Save the blog post tips for later. Instead, reach out to a therapist who understands triggers and emotions. They can help you connect with why you procrastinate and the anxiety or perfectionism attached. 

Learn more about our Anxiety Treatment counseling services for help.  

The Relationship Suite

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