Procrastination(!)

If you were to look up the word procrastination, you would find something along these lines of,


Procrastination is delaying a necessary task, despite knowing there could negative consequences. Or, choosing to do something less important or more enjoyable because what is being asked of them, is a challenge (and less fun!). The decision to choose the less challenging task allows them to escape negative emotions associated with a task. Stated simply, procrastination is a (learned?) behavior that demonstrates laziness, poor time management and flies in the face life altering consequences (like losing a job).

The above is only a beginning.

I have developed a procrastination instrument/questionnaire that identifies six different types of procrastinators. which tells a person what type of procrastinator they are. Below I give only a summary of the six types of procrastinators that my research has uncovered. You will see, the definite reasons or motivations why people do not make responsible choices. Here are the six classic procrastinators:

• The PERFECTIONIST procrastinator. The “PP” is an obsessive-compulsive person. Their work must be, perfect. In seeking perfection, they rarely get closure on the task at hand and cause undue stress on work colleagues. The “PP” lives with A LOT of self-imposed stress, has a maximum amount of negative self-talk and is often ‘playing to an audience to garner attention’ because they need to be, ‘perfect’.

• The DREAMER procrastinator. Dreams are all important is seizing a new endeavor. But the “DP” lives with the age-old adage, ‘the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence’. Yet, they fail to remember, ‘that grass too needs to be mowed’. The “DP” often creates a challenging work or relationship setting because current pressing challenges are not addressed because the “DP” is dreaming about other things. The “DP” does NOT face or complete existing responsibilities and defaults into a procrastination mode by dreaming about other possibilities. The “DP” is often the ‘life of the party’ but after the party ends is nowhere to be found to help clean up.

• The WORRIER procrastinator. This person fears change, ANY change. Being consumed with, “What if” questions, the “WP” can defeat this element of procrastination by having an accountability partner to help discern reality. Last, the “WP” has a multitude of worries because of unfinished issues of the past. Because of unresolved past disappointments, the “WP” is chiefly concerned with and ruled by… controlling today, at any cost. The “WP” lives with an unrestrained amount of hyper-vigilance, always on the lookout for anyone who will join their ‘worry party’.

• The DEFIER procrastinator. This person has issues with authority. Rather than ‘get with the program’ the “DP” will “defy” any new opportunity that is presented. The “DP” is not a team player, at all. Even when introduced with the facts, say, a financial reality, the “DP” will slow, stall and interrupt an entire group of people. The “DP” is perfectly happy with reaching no conclusions. The “DP” has narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) tendencies and is offended when their opinions are questioned. The “DP” fails to realize there is a huge difference between the world of their opinions and the outer world of facts that orbits around them. The popular term, “gaslighting” fits this person.

• The CRISES-MAKER procrastinator. This person thrives on working on a ‘last minute basis’s and is often heard saying, “I work best under pressure.” (Research shows this is simply NOT the case!). The “CMP” thrives on the chemical surges in the brain that cause excitement, high blood pressure and heart disease. The “CMP” does not realize that their lack of time management creates an institutional crisis because their approach to work causes undue stress on others. The “CMP” is a common cause or reason why there is a failure to reach corporate goal accomplishment. The “CMP” ‘stirs the pot’ and has a manipulative way of creating a ‘false crises’ while garnering false attention for themselves.

• The OVERDOER procrastinator. This type of procrastinator is ‘uber-common’ in church and non-profit organizations. This type of person has way too much on their plate, does not prioritize and will often miss critical deadlines. The “OP” has terrible boundaries and has a hard time saying, “No”. These persons frequently have a “Messiah Complex”, run their lives on ‘fumes’ and live close to burn out. The saddest and most concerning part of the “OP” is that they live with unresolved anger that is pointed at people who they think do not work as hard as they do. In short, the “OP” does not have a legitimate life and if their responsibilities were ever taken away from them, they would be shocked at the person they would meet.