Why do we procrastinate?
The cause can be hidden or buried, says Dr Itamar Shatz, a lecturer at Cambridge University who is publishing a book on the subject this week.
By BBC News
Procrastination is not a time management problem but an emotional regulation issue where the brain prioritises short-term relief over long-term goals, according to research cited by BBC News. Dr Itamar Shatz, a lecturer at Cambridge University who is publishing a book on the subject this week, states that the cause of procrastination can often be hidden or buried .
Experts including Dr Fuschia Sirois and Timothy argue that procrastination is frequently emotional regulation disguised as time management, driven by a desire to avoid negative emotions such as anxiety, self-doubt, boredom or fear of failure . The brain naturally places more value on immediate rewards than future ones, meaning the easier a behaviour is to perform, the more likely people are to do it, while harder tasks are avoided .
To address this, researchers recommend naming the bad emotion, shrinking tasks into manageable steps, practising self-compassion rather than self-criticism, and focusing on taking action instead of waiting for motivation . Strategies include breaking tasks into the smallest possible first step, creating an environment conducive to starting, and building in immediate rewards for task engagement .