Why Procrastination is Not a Time Management Challenge

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Procrastination is a word that’s frequently tossed around to explain our inclination to put things off until “later.” For over two decades, I’ve given tips, techniques, and solutions to help people with their procrastinating tendencies. To define, it’s simply the action of delaying or postponing something. Depending on the situation, I’ve encouraged others to break their tasks down into smaller pieces or to find a time slot where you have mental and emotional energy.

However, after reading an insightful article, I realize that some of this advice may not be the best help to offer going forward. I now see that procrastination is more of an emotional situation and not so much a time management challenge. This revelation has been exciting because I think this shift in perspective will help us to deal with procrastination differently.

As I consider training and helping people to understand procrastination from an emotional perspective, I have noted the following with this fresh, new mindset:
1. The Root Cause

When we think of procrastination from an emotional angle, then we get to the root cause of it. After all, when you don’t want to work on something or you are procrastinating, you may say, “I don’t feel like working on that right now.” In other words, you have an emotional barrier that is causing you to put off and not work on that task.

2. The You Factor

This shift in outlook when it comes to procrastination makes YOU the focus rather than the task. Ouch, a painful revelation, you say? Stick with me, it doesn’t have to be. Basically, you get the opportunity to evaluate yourself and change or adjust what is necessary in order to be more motivated and engaged to work on that task. (You adjust for the win, right?)

3. The Deference of Gratification

As a society, we are wired for instant gratification and seek to “be happy” or at the very least “OK” at all times. This means that when we are ready to work on a task that doesn’t give us those pleasant vibes, we tend to avoid it rather than work on it. By considering procrastination and all its emotional tendencies, we are able to look at things from a different perspective.

Now, hear me out. If you tend to procrastinate, then, please, cut yourself some slack. While you may occasionally feel like a struggle, we’ve all been guilty of postponing, deferring, and delaying what we should be doing. So, stop beating yourself up, stop blaming the task, and work to begin to identify the emotional barrier at hand. Then you will be able to determine what you can change in order to get motivated to work on THAT task. (Again, for the win…)