Self Improvement Made Easy

Comment from just me
Time February 26, 2010 at 10:12 am

As the world’s best (worst) procrastinator, I would have to say: I don’t know. Sometimes it is laziness, sometimes fear of failure (or success), sometimes fear of commitment. I know I spend way too much time thinking about things I should/want/have to do… I over analyze way too much (i.e. If I do it this way what will happen but if I do it that way what will the result be; once I do it, it’s too late to do it the other way and what if the way I chose wasn’t the best; etc). This may sound crazy, but sometimes if whatever I’m putting off is something I am looking forward to, I put it off because once I do it it will be done and I’m afraid I will feel let down or I am just enjoying the anticipation and don’t want that to end.

I have found that if there are several things I need to do, if I make a list I am more likely to do them. Partly because I like the feeling of crossing something off the list and partly because the list keeps me focused so my mind doesn’t wander off and I forget what it was I needed to do.

Best of luck to you and your friend!

One more reason for putting something off ’til the last minute is the exhilaration of trying to beat a deadline… Excessive stress is exhilarating, I guess?!?

Comment from Fluorescent Adolescent
Time February 26, 2010 at 10:12 am

Probably a combination. I procrastinate because I’m lazy, lack of responsibility & anxiety. But sometimes not all at the same time.

Comment from =)
Time February 26, 2010 at 10:12 am

for me..

….its pure laziness.

Comment from bum
Time February 26, 2010 at 10:12 am

mostly laziness.

when i procrastinate, i know i’m supposed to do it, but i’m just to lazy to get off the mf couch.

Comment from Grampy 1901
Time February 26, 2010 at 10:12 am

Depends, my boy. For some it’s fear, for others it’s simply reticence to cause more ripples in their ponds.

Comment from Rouge
Time February 26, 2010 at 10:12 am

I think it can be all of those depending on the situation. For me when it comes to important things it is usually fear and anxiety.

Comment from crimicher
Time February 26, 2010 at 10:12 am

laziness, distraction sums it up for me.

Comment from secret yellow rock chic
Time February 26, 2010 at 10:12 am

laziness. nothing else.

Comment from San Diego Art Nut
Time February 26, 2010 at 10:12 am

It could be any or all of those. Some procrastinators do so because they feel needed and worthwhile if they are "working on" something. The biggest thing is that it has a root cause. That cause can be accessed through talk therapy. If the procrastination is a major problem (and it can derail relationships) then it is worth the effort to seek help with it. But it is seldom just because the person is lazy or irresponsible.

Comment from Blueberryflowers
Time February 26, 2010 at 10:12 am

It is caused by laziness which turns into bad habits .The longer you do it the worse it can get. Stress can make it worse. It has to do with many things. The person’s physical brain and personality has a lot to do with it. Their up bringing and how they were trained as a child to do things. It can be effected by the food they eat and not exercising can make them more lazy . It is a temptation that some people give into and form the habit of it. Some people have the opposite extreme where they can’t stop cleaning or being obsessed with things. There are mind tricks or thoughts such as saying to their self that they are just going to do five minutes worth of dishes and then they end up doing all of them. Starting is half the battle. There are more. You can look them up online that can help combat it but ultimatley it is up to them and their determination and desire.