Procrastination: A Character Flaw or a Personality Disorder?
Procrastination: A Character Flaw or a Personality Disorder?
Let's face it; we are all guilty of procrastination at one time or another. Perhaps it is about a project that we don't want to do, or one that we really don't have time for. Maybe it is simply a matter of something more interesting coming along that vies for our attention. However, when procrastination becomes a way of life, it can create undue stress for the person who can't seem to finish work on time. There are many reasons why this phenomenon may occur, but the end result is usually the same; sleepless nights and tense days until deadlines are met and projects are completed. It's not a desirable way to live, which is why many will seek methods for overcoming procrastination. But the first step is in defining what it is and what causes it.
A Product of your Upbringing
Many psychologists believe that procrastination is the result of your upbringing. If you were raised in a very controlled environment by authoritative parents, it is possible that you never learned the methods of self-regulation that would incorporate time management skills. It can also be a form of rebellion, since this is one of the few ways that kids can rebel in such a tightly controlled environment. There can also be factors involved like a fear of failure or lack of confidence in your ability to complete a task successfully. By not trying at all, you save yourself the embarrassment of effort resulting in failure. All of these reasons for procrastination may indicate that counseling from a psychologist might help someone who is struggling with this to find a solution.
Other Contributing Reasons
Beyond the issue of upbringing and personality issues, there are other reasons why someone may fall victim to procrastination. Perhaps a task does not seem important enough to the individual who is responsible for completing it. This would make it easy for that person to find more important work to take up his time rather than devoting himself to an irrelevant job. If you are assigned the task by another person, like a boss or teacher, you may be reluctant to put forth time on a project that is not as important to you as it is to the person who gave it to you. Procrastination can also be the simple result of not having the appropriate knowledge or training to complete a task.
There are many reasons why procrastination might occur. If you are finding yourself rushing to finish projects at the last minute, it might be a good idea to ask yourself why you are not willing to start on these tasks sooner. By identifying the reason for your procrastination, you may be on the road to resolving the issue and completing tasks with time to spare.