Why Some People are Procrastinators

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CLEVELAND - Whether it’s a task at work or at home, we all procrastinate now and then.

But why do we sometimes put off the things we know we have to do?

“At times, we may be stressed, frustrated or simply not have the energy or motivation to do something. It feels good to procrastinate because then you don't have to deal with it right now. You just tell yourself you’ll deal with it tomorrow,” explained Chivonna Childs, PhD, psychologist for Cleveland Clinic.

Along with lacking motivation, Dr. Childs said wanting to be perfect can also make you put something off.

Depression, anxiety and fear of failure are some other reasons people tend to procrastinate as well.

To avoid procrastinating, Dr. Childs suggests breaking down what you need to get done into smaller tasks.

For example, don’t tell yourself you have to clean your entire house at once – just start with a small section and see how you feel from there.

Dr. Childs said calling on a friend or family member can also motivate you to get something done.

“You can get an accountability buddy to avoid procrastination – somebody who is going to check in on you and say, ‘Hey, did you do A, B and C?’ If you didn't, sometimes that person can come over and help you as well,” Dr. Childs said.

If you continue struggling with procrastination, Dr. Childs added talking to a mental health professional can help.

They can work with you to figure out why exactly you’re procrastinating and come up with a solution.