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I took a Psychology 101 course way back in university and recall learning about all of the abnormal personality types. Our professor specifically pointed out that these were rare conditions and cautioned us not to label all of our friends and relatives based on our new-found knowledge.

With 95% of the population procrastinating, it hardly feels like an abnormal condition. However, many of us would love to shake this part of our personality. The experts tell us that awareness is the first step on the road to recovery. So this blog article is dedicated to helping you understand why you procrastinate.

 

[sws_picture_frame3 src=”http://clearconceptinc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Deadline-Clock.jpg” title=”” alt=”” align=”sws_frame_left” lightbox=”” album=”album” video=””] [/sws_picture_frame3] Procrastinators: Approximately half of the population is the ‘arousal’ type. They need the pressure of a deadline and an adrenaline rush to propel them into action.

Arousal procrastinators tend to be optimistic. They convince themselves that they will have enough time to get something done, even if it is the last minute.

The problem is that work quality suffers when we are rushed. We have no time to reflect, gather input and review our work. When we are chronically running from one deadline to the next, our other work (as well as our personal life) suffers and the associated stress starts to take its toll.

 

[sws_picture_frame3 src=”http://clearconceptinc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Head-in-sand.jpg” title=”” alt=”” align=”sws_frame_left” lightbox=”” album=”album” video=””] [/sws_picture_frame3] Avoider Procrastinators: The other half is the ‘avoider’ type. They become immobilized by the fear of failure. Instead of diving in and facing the big ugly task, they seek out distractions. Avoider procrastinators convince themselves that busy work is actually productive work and their day becomes consumed with little tasks (like email).

A close relative of this type is the ‘decision procrastinator’. They resist making a decision because they fear the outcome. And they cleverly avoid taking responsibility by not picking a side.

The problem is that we can’t keep avoiding things. It is hard to fulfill our goals and even harder to manage the expectations of others when we are fixated on the worst-case-scenario.

 

Context Counts: You may feel like all of the above descriptions pertain to you. If so, that’s because context often influences our procrastination. We may be ‘arousal’ procrastinators in one situation and ‘avoider’ (or decision) procrastinators in another.

 

So what kind of procrastinator are you? Remember, we are not trying to diagnose our spouse or best friend here. Focus on yourself. Identifying your own core drivers is the equivalent of taking one giant step towards nipping it in the bud.