“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
- With the task I am putting off right now, what happens in me when I open it?
- Whose judgement am I bracing for when I picture it finished?
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