Situation · Yourself

“Why do I procrastinate on everything?”

What could be going on

Procrastination: Delaying while knowing it costs you fits; check which feeling you're avoiding at the start.

Chronically late or procrastinates: Chronic lateness and putting off fits; check whether it is worse for high-stakes tasks.

Perfectionism: Fear of doing it imperfectly can block starting; check whether easy tasks get done fine.

ADHD in adults: Lifelong trouble starting boring tasks, with distractibility since childhood, could be ADHD; check history.

Self-handicapping: Delay can protect self-image, failure blamed on lack of time; check whether that relief appears.

Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation: Could be plain low interest in the task; check whether you procrastinate on things you love.

Questions to carry

  1. With the task I am putting off right now, what happens in me when I open it?
  2. Whose judgement am I bracing for when I picture it finished?
Take it furtherBring one real moment of it to the Procrastination inquiry.Free, about 3 minutes, no account.

Also said as

  • I leave everything to the last minute
  • my son puts everything off
  • I can't make myself start
  • I keep delaying stuff that matters
  • chronic procrastinator, help
  • I put off everything until it's too late

More situations like this