“Or, why I’ll be late for my own funeral”

Procrastination. This is in fact the fifth day after I promised myself that I would write about procrastination. The word itself sounds nasty. It starts off with something that sounds like it wants to take off, pro, then has a nasty hiss, crassss, with a finale, tination. Does it mean your for crastination? Oh no, not at all. Because no such word exists, I hope. Some things should just not be. It’s the human equivalent to being stuck in mud, or a temporary visit to a molecular absolute zero.

But what is it? Why does it plague so many? Well, between the many and the well, I was gone about six hours. Why? Distraction. Okay, back on track, until the cat making weird noises sends me off into a different direction.

Anyway, there is a simple definition of procrastination, then a more complex mysterious multi functional mental issue going on. It’s not just one cause.

And it’s agreed upon by psychologists, that it’s not laziness, no matter how much it looks like It. There are roughly six agreed upon rooms of the mind that cause us to procrastinate’ I don’t think it matters about the order, so let’s start off with avoidance of uncomfortable emotions. Some claim it’s the biggest driver. It’s a simple claim. Doing certain tasks can trigger anxiety, boredom, self- doubt, grief, or fear of failure. Back to the last one later. I know that monster all too well.

Here’s my big one. Perfectionism. I am a totally frustrated perfectionist. I often drove myself and others crazy. Good enough wasn’t In my vocabulary. But guess what/ I could never reach the level of perfection In my mind. And a part of myself, knew It. In other words, If I can’t do it perfectly right, I won’t do It. Waiting Is safer.

The next, is sort of related. Fear of failure or even success. Failure confirms the worst negative beliefs we have about ourselves, success can bring scary expectations to maintain the victory. The human mind is a scary place in itself. Full of twists and turns, tangled emotions, etc. Know thyself the philosophers said. Good luck.There be dragons there in the mist.

Vague goals. I wanna be successful is not a plan. It’s a wish with no form. It has no game plan, no substance. If the brain isn’t given clarity, it freezes, and so does action.

Then the physical. Stress, depression, grief, poor sleep depletes the mental fuel needed to start. And many of these are intertwined, competing for governance inside the mind, but always producing the same results. Procrastination, if not dealt with, can be devasting to the person. It will magnify those negative feelings. It’s will set your feet in concrete, and life will become regret, along with the very same cycle of torment. It becomes self -propagating. So, there you have the gist of what the experts say, are the foundations of procrastination.

I actually agree with everyone of them, because I have seen them in myself. These demons in ourselves will steal the vibrancy of life every human ought have access too.

If not dealt with on a deeper level, Procrastination will produce guilt, anxiety, pressure to perform in a compressed time frame. Self -trust is eroded. Missed opportunities’, strained relationships, because they see you as unreliable. Decisions delayed, with all the negative consequences. Fear of time running out, because it is. Believing yourself as worthless.

I have had all these feelings. All of them. The cure is an attempt at reframing. Some say journaling can help. Write down your fears, your thoughts, and start speaking to them as the lies we tell ourselves. It isn’t easy, but assuredly worth It. Procrastination is a flag, a signal, to yourself. A warning Klaxon, blaring, something isn’t quite right in my thinking. Fear has hijacked you. And If not stabbed through with truth. It can rob your life blind. Take it from a geezer who often lives in regret.

I used to tell others, the pain of regret is greater for not trying, than the pain of trying and failing. Failure after really trying is a teacher, if it doesn’t crush you. Don’t let it crush you. Get up!