Definition 

Procrastination refers to the act of prioritizing less pressing tasks over more urgent ones or engaging in enjoyable activities instead of less enjoyable ones. As a result, one delays impending tasks until a later time, often waiting until the "eleventh hour" before a deadline. 

 

Pain and Pleasure 

In order to gain a true understanding of why we tend to procrastinate, it is necessary to revisit the teachings of Sigmund Freud, our familiar acquaintance. Freud was the pioneer in acknowledging that our actions are guided by the "Pain/Pleasure" principle. Put simply, we actively seek out pleasure or enjoyable experiences, while actively avoiding pain or any form of discomfort, whether it be physical or psychological. 

​

In the case of the tedious and undesirable tasks mentioned earlier, they offer no sense of pleasure and may even cause some degree of discomfort. As a result, we find ourselves procrastinating. Essentially, we are evading certain perceived pain or fear. Unfortunately, this act of avoidance only exacerbates our discomfort over time. Furthermore, the longer we put off addressing the task at hand, the more intense the discomfort becomes. 

 

We all have our reasons 

We all go through the agony of procrastination. It is agonizing because it hinders our progress and prevents us from reaching our full potential. It stops us from living a fulfilling and enriching life, and from achieving the goals that we know would bring us happiness and fulfillment. How do we allow ourselves to fall into this trap? 

​

For some procrastinators, not taking action means avoiding the pressure of success or failure, and the new expectations that come with them. Subconsciously, they might think, "If I wait until the last minute, I might fail, but at least I won't have to deal with the added expectations that success would bring." Or perhaps they think, "If I don't do anything, I can't fail; nothing will happen to me, and I'll be safe." Maybe safe, but stuck in a deep rut. 

​

Some individuals procrastinate to seek validation. They wait until the last moment and then miraculously complete the task, which gives them an extra boost of validation. They might think, "I must be pretty good; just look at what I accomplished." And if they don't succeed in completing the task, once again they have a convenient excuse—lack of time—which shifts the blame and responsibility away from themselves. 

​

The "occasional procrastinator" typically has little trouble overcoming the resistance to change. Their occasional bouts of procrastination are merely a minor inconvenience, easily dealt with. However, for those who chronically procrastinate, this behavior creates a never-ending cycle of suffering, disappointment, and guilt, affecting not only themselves but also their loved ones. 

 

The cycle of chronic procrastination can lead to a downward spiral of low self-esteem and a sense of complete failure. Fortunately, it is possible to break this cycle, although most individuals require some form of assistance. Therapeutic Hypnosis is an incredibly powerful tool that can provide the help needed to overcome chronic procrastination.