There are a variety of reasons why we procrastinate. We might feel that we don't have enough time to do something well, or we may be afraid of emotional distress. Regardless of the reason, it is important to understand that procrastination is a healthy coping mechanism, and that the ability to procrastinate can be a helpful trait.
You're a procrastinator
If you're continually putting off tasks because of the fear that you won't complete them on time, you may be a procrastinator. If so, you might benefit from learning how to deal with the phenomenon. Procrastination is a behavior that is hard to overcome but can be effective when managed. By identifying your particular procrastination pattern, you can develop a plan of action to overcome the behavior and achieve more.
You're a perfectionist
If you are a perfectionist, you may often find that you procrastinate because you can't decide what's most important. If this is you, try to prioritize which tasks you need to complete and which ones you can leave for another day. It is a good idea to start early and work on the most important ones first. If you do get stuck, try to remind yourself that it will take time to finish the task and that it's okay if you don't do it perfect.
You're afraid of emotional distress
Procrastination is a common problem, particularly among college students. While we often put off doing things that we should do because of laziness or because we're unsure of how to do something, many of us procrastinate because we're afraid of emotional distress. We may have experienced a negative emotion related to a task, or we may have preconceived notions about how difficult the task will be. In any case, we promise ourselves that we'll deal with it later, when we're able to deal with our feelings more easily.
You're a coping mechanism
Procrastination is a behavior that occurs when a person is feeling bad and is unable to complete a task. This behavior occurs because the brain tries to distract the person from the unpleasant emotions that are arising. This behavior may be triggered by even the slightest of emotional discomforts.
You're a last resort
Procrastination is a habit that leads you to put off important tasks. You'll do these unimportant things because they're unpleasant or because you're waiting for the "right mood" or "right time." In order to stop procrastinating, you need to figure out why you put off important tasks in the first place. Then, take action to tackle the task at hand.
You're motivated by guilt-free procrastination
Procrastination often happens because we're lazy, we don't know how to do something, or we're afraid we'll fail at it. But this is not the only reason people procrastinate - they also procrastinate because they have preconceived notions about how hard it is to complete a task. Often, they will promise to complete the task later, when they're better able to deal with the emotions involved.