This is the first of a two-part post on procrastination: Part I addresses why we procrastinate; Part II will focus on strategies to decrease procrastination.
Many people misunderstand procrastination as a problem of laziness or poor time management. But procrastination—especially problem procrastination—is often a strategy used to manage struggles with self-esteem.
Everybody puts off some things some of the time. But some folks suffer considerable consequences, both external and internal.
External consequences: lost opportunities, missed deadlines, late fees, physical symptoms of stress, trouble at school, work, or in close relationships.
Internal consequences: anxiety, depression, harsh self-judgment, feelings of fraudulence.