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 Getting to the Root of Why Things Aren’t Getting Done

woman struggles with procrastination

Procrastination lives in us all. Everyone has tasks or responsibilities they don’t like doing that they push off until they absolutely have to take get it done. This can include things at home, at work, and things related to our recovery. When we procrastinate the things we need to do to maintain recovery we can end up feeling complacent about taking care of them at all. Caring for our recovery and our responsibilities has to be something that is done with purpose each and every day, not pushed off in favor of easier endeavors. When you put things off, procrastination becomes “the thief of time and energy,” says Harriet Griffey, author of “Get things done” for Wellness Journal magazine. When we procrastinate, things begin to pile up. We add to the pile and it grows, the larger it becomes the less we capable we feel of taking care of it. As a result, more procrastination ensues and the cycle continues. There are different reasons we procrastinating, says Griffey. A lack of confidence, boredom, or worry about failing could all be the culprits. Regardless of the reason for your procrastination, it’s time to squash it. Let’s look a bit more in-depth at the reasons we procrastinate. 

“What kind of procrastinator are you?” by Wellness Journal
  • Perfectionists
    • A perfectionist procrastinator wants everything to turn out perfect they end up either avoiding tasks until they can be made so or focusing for too long on small details to give them enough time to complete the whole.
  • Crisis junkies
    • Crisis junkie procrastinators thrive off the drama of the last minute and rely on it to provide motivation, so they wait until the last possible second to get things done.
  • Deifiers
    • Defying procrastinators like to defy authority figures that can be either internal or external. Procrastinating takes away the option for anyone but them to control the outcome.
  • Dreamers
    • Dreaming procrastinators like to imagine how things will get done, but don’t like to deal with complicated things and small details and procrastinate the actual execution.
  • Worriers
    • Worrying procrastinators consider things in black and white. They spend too much thinking about the possible outcome and not enough time executing the task.
  • Over-doers
    • Over-doer procrastinators take on too much because they are unable to make choices, and therefore procrastinate by failing to prioritize responsibilities.

It’s Who You Are

Even though we’d rather this not be the case, our personalities help us procrastinate. Being ambitious might also make us into over-doer procrastinators or being independent could cause us to be defying procrastinators. In addition to our personalities building habitual procrastination, sometimes the environment we grew up in or the example that was set by parents may contribute. Understanding the reasons why we push things off can help us work towards building better habits around taking care of responsibilities and our recovery program. 

Breaking It Down

Now that you have identified which type of procrastinator you are, it’s time to tackle it head-on. Consider the “why” behind your procrastination and work to be aware when you’re falling into these behaviors while working to complete tasks. Instead of trying to tackle the whole task, break it down into smaller, more manageable ones. This is a good technique, says Griffey. This helps avoid the panic and pressure of not getting it all done at once. Looking at the big picture all of the time can be overwhelming for those of us in recovery. Take it one day at a time and see how much more manageable it becomes.

Arbor Behavioral Healthcare is here to help you tackle your procrastination in your recovery. We can help. Call us today at 844-413-2690. We can’t wait to speak with you and start making visible changes in your like today!