Procrastination

Procrastination is conceptualized as behavior, or more accurately the absence of behavior.  Even though it is characterized by inaction, it is related to many thoughts and emotions, including anxiety, guilt, and frustration. Procrastination has many causes and each case has to be carefully assessed and treated, but there is hope.  Often times beliefs about the quality of the work, the amount of effort required, or my own ability to do things interfere with the actual doing by raising our anxiety.

It is important to properly assess and treat procrastination, since it results in piles of work and piles of emotional and cognitive turmoil.  Learning how to change or behave regardless of these beliefs, can decrease anxiety or allow us to sidestep it, which in the long-term results in much less anxiety and more productivity.  Each improvement in efficiency helps raise our sense of efficacy, making next time a little easier.