2.2 - Activity - Why do people procrastinate?

Something that people always want to know is – “why do I procrastinate?”

You know procrastination isn’t good for you. You know it doesn't help to put things off; it just makes the situation worse. Yet, you keep procrastinating! Why?

There are a few different reasons why people procrastinate, and they can generally be explained by the following:

	1. I am always tired and unmotivated Some people do not think they are capable when life becomes tough. Some of these circumstances can include: When you are stressed When you are physically or mentally fatigued When your motivation is low When you are depressed If you happen to experience any of the above circumstances, particularly at a time when your energy is low, it could lead to feelings of exhaustion, despair, frustration and the false-belief that you cannot do it.
	2. I'm afraid to fail or disappoint others Some people put a lot of pressure on themselves. The problem is, when you demand so much from yourself, you become worried that you might fail or disappoint others. If you are this type of person, you might say to yourself: "I must do things perfectly and not fail." "I can't have others think poorly of me." If this describes you, you might find that when you're faced with a task, you tend to make predictions about failing and about others judging you.
	3. I fear the unknown Some people have a fear of uncertainty and need to be very certain of what lies ahead in order to feel comfortable. People with this characteristic may predict catastrophe as a way of preparing themselves for the worst to happen. In life, it is hard to be 100% certain about anything. People who fear the unknown will often procrastinate, because there are lots of times where you will have to make a decision or act on something and you will not know the outcome until it happens.
	4. I've got better things to do Some people have difficulty tolerating boredom. If you are like this, you might find yourself thinking or saying: "Life is too short to be doing things that are hard." "Having fun should always come first." This type of thinking reflects a need for instant gratification. When faced with an uninteresting task, you might use procrastination as a way of alleviating boredom and seek out a more interesting activity.
	5. I always need to be in charge Some people like to be in control of everything that happens in their life. If this is you, you might find yourself thinking or saying: “Things should be done my way.” “I should not have to do things just because someone else says so.” This type of person feels angry when someone tells them what to do because they feel like they are losing control. They may then use procrastination as a way of easing their anger and sense of weakness.
	6. I have low self-confidence If you have low self-confidence, you forget that you are a capable individual who can tackle tasks or goals that come your way. If you are like this, you might think or say: “If I try the activity, people will realise how stupid I am.” When people with low self-confidence are faced with a task that requires some self-assurance to tackle it, they think they will fail. This can lead to them feeling depressed. They might use procrastination as a way of avoiding a task that they feel they can’t do.