The Psychology of Procrastination

We’re all familiar with the scenario: a deadline for a big project is looming, but rather than tackling the job head-on we procrastinate. We’ll do anything, from watching television to cleaning, to avoid starting the “big project.”  This avoidance causes other emotions such as guilt and anxiety. Procrastination is a common problem, and experts believe that there’s more to it than just laziness or a poor work ethic.
It is widely believed among psychologists that procrastination can be a symptom of depression—people who become depressed often lose their sense of motivation. Furthermore, procrastination is also a common trait in found in maladaptive perfectionists, or people who have high levels of anxiety and an unhealthy fear of failure. Certain types of maladaptive perfectionists set such stringent personal goals, or believe that others hold them to unrealistic standards, that they experience depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and consequently procrastinate.