Understanding the Roots of Procrastination: Third Article in the Series

Procrastination is often caused by magnifying and exaggerating challenges far beyond their actual difficulty, thereby giving them much more weight than they truly deserve.

This is in fact one of the tactics of the yetzer hara (the inner negative inclination). As taught by many of our ethical and Hasidic teachers, the yetzer hara makes people perceive their obstacles as far more daunting than they truly are.

A person may fear an upcoming meeting and postpone it for weeks, even though it could potentially open doors in their professional life. In reality, the meeting might not be difficult at all, and the discomfort it brings may be minimal, but the individual has blown the difficulty out of proportion that they continue to avoid it.

This is true for many tasks that we delay. We may feel that the task is especially complex, even though this perception may not be grounded in reality. Once the person begins the task, they often realize that they are more capable than they thought.

Another cause of procrastination is waiting for energy or inspiration to strike before taking action. However, experience shows that it is action that leads to motivation, not the other way around. As the author of Sefer HaChinuch explains: “The heart is drawn after the actions.” If we wait for motivation before taking action, we’ll find that most of our goals remain unfulfilled.

Taking action consistently and without delay can lead to recognition and even reward from those around us.

Overcommitting

Ironically, procrastination can also stem from taking on too much. When people overload themselves with more responsibilities than they can realistically handle, they often end up postponing the very tasks that matter most.

Some people like to stay busy by doing anything other than what they should be doing. There’s an old saying: “A person is capable of doing any job, as long as it’s not their own.”

Our sages taught: “Greater is the one who is commanded and performs than the one who performs without being commanded.” We are not judged by how much we do, but by whether we carry out what we’re supposed to do.

Procrastinators tend to be busy, but not with the work they need to accomplish. They might feel productive, but they’re also constantly frustrated that their actual responsibilities remain unfinished. The truly great act is to do what is yours to do.

The Need for Control

Sometimes procrastination is driven by a subconscious need for control.

A person who feels undervalued or unseen may, without realizing it, create situations where others are dependent on them. By delaying key responsibilities, they ensure that everything waits on their action, thus subtly asserting a sense of control.

This doesn’t necessarily come from arrogance. Often these are kind, humble people, but deep down may feel a need to assert themselves through procrastination.

If you notice that your procrastination affects others around you, it’s worth considering whether control might be playing a role. If so, it’s important to find healthier, more positive ways to express your presence and value that don’t harm your work or relationships.

Similarly, some people procrastinate because they want to feel in control of their time. They resist the feeling of being pushed or forced, and so they delay tasks until they decide when to do them. Deep down, they know they’ll have to complete the task eventually, but they assert their autonomy by choosing the timing.

Working Under Pressure

Many people don’t realize how much their mood and energy are affected by physiology. The brain releases a neurotransmitter when a person sees the finish line of a task, which temporarily boosts their mood. For this reason it’s often easier to finish tasks than to start them.

At the beginning of a task, there’s no such chemical reward, and we therefore may feel sluggish and unmotivated- echoing the wisdom of our sages: “All beginnings are difficult.” It's therefore no surprise that people often avoid starting tasks, especially those that don’t offer a clear or immediate end.

Additionally, many people thrive under pressure. The sense of urgency triggers a hormonal reaction that fuels focus and adrenaline. Because of this, some become addicted to that “last-minute energy,” postponing tasks so they can experience the high of pressure when the deadline looms. They function like wind-up toys- only moving once the spring is fully wound. Until that pressure peaks, they simply can’t bring themselves to act.

It's important to remember that chronic exposure to stress and pressure is damaging to both body and soul. While pressure can sometimes deliver short-term performance boosts, the long-term cost can be high, affecting both mental and physical health.

A person can learn to work steadily and calmly, without designing a lifestyle that constantly relies on last-minute panic.

In the next and final section we'll discuss how to overcome procrastination.