What Type of Procrastinator Are You? (And What to Do About It)
3 years ago
Procrastination. Everybody does it. Whether it’s deciding to re-organise your bedroom the day before a big assignment is due, or simply scrolling for hours on insta when it’s supposed to be a 5-minute break - we’ve all been there. But procrastination isn’t just about laziness. According to this 2013 study, we procrastinate because we want to make ourselves feel better in the short-term, rather than achieve our goals in the long-term.
But not all procrastinators are made equal (shout-out to the ones who procrastinate by cleaning). So, what type of procrastinator are you? And what the flip should you do about it?
The One Afraid Of Failure =========
You’re a perfectionist. You know that you’ve set your standards so high that you don’t want to risk not meeting them.
Try being more compassionate to yourself. Remind yourself it’s entirely okay for this assignment to not be the best one you’ve ever done.
Either way, you’ll never know until you get going…
The Overwhelmed One =========
You have so much on your plate that you don’t even know where to start. So instead, you decide that now is the time to alphabetise your book-shelf.
Take a deep breath. Instead of thinking about everything that needs to get done, try to think about one thing at a time.
You could try starting with the easiest task. That way, you’ll feel the gratification of ticking a box, and you’ll have smashed a task!
The One Who Can't Walk The Talk =========
You’re a dreamer. You tell yourself you’ll wake up at 6am and do all your homework, but instead you’re still in bed at 10am watching TikToks.
You need some structure. Dreaming is great, but it’s only the first step. Keep things realistic and break down the steps involved.
Writing out a to-do list or a schedule can be super helpful to keep yourself focussed.
The One Who Just Can't Be Bothered =========
We all go through this, and it’s totally okay. Some days you just don’t feel like it, and when you get these days, listen to yourself.
Take a second to consider what your priority is at that point. Is it getting into your dream uni course? Or maybe you’ve had a super rough week, and your priority is to make sure you’re looking after your mental health.
Both are valid.
The One Who Is Genuinely Struggling =========
Your procrastination isn’t something to joke about anymore. You literally don’t feel like getting out of bed, let alone smashing out a 1500-word essay.
Sometimes serious procrastination can be a sign of mental illnesses such as depression , anxiety or ADHD.
Don’t beat yourself up. Reach out and ask for help. Talk to your teachers, your parents, your friends… whoever feels right. See if you can get an extension or ask what academic considerations are available.
Being a procrastinator doesn’t make you lazy. It makes you human. So, take these tips on-board, write that to-do list, put your phone away, and get going. You’ve got this.
Words by Ella Katz