If Procrastination Is So Bad, Why Do So Many Do It?

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TOM@RICHHABITS.NET

It’s clear, from numerous studies over the years, that those who make a habit of procrastinating, do not do well in life.

Procrastination is action’s evil twin. It is the opposite of action.

Delayed action prevents us from moving forward in life in realizing our dreams and accomplishing our goals. It prevents, even the most talented individuals, from realizing success in life. It is the reason most are stuck in life.

Those who habitually procrastinate have a built-in “put out the fire” response mindset in meeting the needs of customers, clients, supervisors and co-workers. Oftentimes, this “put out the fire” response results in poor quality, dissatisfied customers, unhappy clients, frustrated employers and a loss of trust among coworkers.

Too much procrastination can lead to a loss of customers, clients and even litigation, which costs everyone involved time and money.

So, if procrastination is so bad, why do we do it?

  1. FEAR OF NEGATIVE FEEDBACK – Procrastination is often driven by a fear of negative feedback. All action has a feedback ripple effect. Sometimes that feedback is good, sometimes bad. We fear negative feedback. But negative feedback is critical to success in life. It exposes mistakes, which helps us learn and improve.
  2. TASK INFLATION – Known as Parkinson’s Law, procrastination is often driven by inflating the perception of the work required for tasks. We may dread taking action because we exaggerate how much time it will take to complete the task. We exaggerate the imagined physical or mental effort required in order to complete the task or goal.
  3. LACK OF PASSION – Procrastination is also often driven by a lack of passion. We simply like to do the things we like to do and we put off the things we do not like to do. You always find time for the things you are passionate about.
  4. OUR BRAINS ARE LAZY – Procrastination is, in part, neurological. Taking action on something you don’t want to do requires that you exert willpower. Willpower engages your pre-frontal cortex (conscious part of brain). This engagement requires the brain to marshal additional fuel (glucose) that the brain will require in order to complete the task. The brain does not like to ask for more glucose. That’s why it created habits. Habits limit the consumption of brain fuel and take willpower and discipline out of the equation. Your own brain is begging you not to engage in any and all activities that need willpower to get you started.

TCORLEY

3 Comments

  1. Ritcha on July 29, 2021 at 8:27 AM

    Excellent !



  2. Wesley on July 29, 2021 at 1:09 PM

    Really good explanation.



  3. Martin on July 30, 2021 at 12:28 AM

    Well written. Willpower is like a muscle. It must be exersiced or else it grows weak. So when ever you feel like not doing a thing is the time that you should do it.



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