Theories Of Procrastination - Why Do We Do It?
Theories Of Procrastination - Why Do We Do It?
There are a number of theories of procrastination and we all know that it is not a good thing to practice, yet we continue to do it time and again. Why do we do it? Procrastination causes stress and if you have an underlying issue with anxiety, you are likely to exacerbate the problem. Many people recognize and even laugh about their procrastination problems and yet they still do nothing to correct it. This leads into some general theories of procrastination that applies to a large portion of the population who practice it religiously.
Fear
A fear of failure and even a fear of succeeding are two theories of procrastination, which can plague some people. Worrying about failing at a task can virtually paralyze a person with fear and they will put it off. Whereas a fear of success promotes procrastination because people fear that they set a high standard already and worry whether they can do it again.
Emotional
Being angry can cause a problem with procrastination and is often used as a tool to retaliate against someone else. The thought is often something like "They did this to me? Well, I'll just show them and not do their laundry!" Of course, a person doesn't think about how not doing the laundry will affect not only themselves but also other household members who depend on them.
Overwhelming
Not having the correct information or knowing what to do are two theories of procrastination, and often children fall under this category. When someone is faced with a problem they know nothing about, the tendency is to pretend there are no worries at all. The fact of the matter is that they likely don't want anyone to know that they have no idea what to do or how to do it. They feel overwhelmed by the task before them and will therefore put it off until later.
Bored to Distractions
Boredom and being distracted are two additional theories of procrastination and we have all fallen under these categories a time or two. As everyone knows, it is hard to get motivated to do something when you are not interested in it in the least. In addition, if there are too many distractions around such as the telephone ringing or a neighbor at the door, chances are that these are more appealing than letting voice mail or your spouse pick up the slack so you can tackle the task at hand.
Most people know that they are procrastinating and it takes strong willpower and perseverance to break the habit. If you fall into one of these theories of procrastination, just know that you can break the cycle … start today, not tomorrow!