The Truth About Procrastination
Part IV of our Time Management Series
Originally published in 2021. Updated November 2025 for clarity, simplicity, and real-world application.
Time Isn’t the Problem—Procrastination Is
If you’ve ever caught yourself cleaning, scrolling, or reorganizing your desk instead of doing the one thing you actually need to finish… welcome to the club. Procrastination isn’t laziness — it’s resistance. And for most of us, it shows up in predictable patterns.
This final part of the Time Management Series breaks down the six types of procrastinators (and yes, you can be more than one!) and simple ways to break the cycle so you can take back control of your time.
The 6 Types of Procrastinators — and How to Stop Them
1. The Perfectionist
You wait for the “perfect” moment, draft, or scenario. You rewrite, revise, and tweak endlessly because it never feels “good enough.”
How to stop: Aim for completion, not perfection. Set firm deadlines and stick to them.
2. The Idealist
You love planning but struggle to start. You wait for inspiration, the right mood, the perfect moment, or a magical burst of motivation.
How to stop: Break tasks into small steps and begin before you “feel ready.”
3. The Worrywart
You focus on worst-case scenarios and get stuck in “what ifs.”New tasks feel scary, unfamiliar, or overwhelming.
How to stop: Plan for obstacles, but don’t live in them. Create a simple action plan and take the first step.
4. The Adrenaline Chaser
You insist you “work best under pressure” and thrive on the adrenaline of a deadline. You rely on that Hail Mary last-minute energy rush to get you through.
How to stop: Give yourself shorter, self-imposed mini-deadlines and reward early progress.
5. The Rebel
You resist rules, deadlines, and expectations — even your own.
How to stop: Reframe tasks as choices you're making for your own benefit, rather than commands. Change your "To-Do" list to a "Task" list.
6. The People Pleaser
You say “yes” too often, spread yourself too thin, and end up overwhelmed...even frozen.
How to stop: Protect your bandwidth. Practice saying “let me check my schedule.”
How to Tell When You’re Procrastinating
Procrastination often hides in everyday actions:
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You instantly choose easier tasks over the important ones.
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You stay “busy” but don’t move closer to your goals.
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You wait for the “right” moment that never comes.
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You avoid thinking about the task altogether.
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You endlessly research, plan, or learn — but never implement.
Awareness is the first step to change.
Simple Ways to Stop Procrastination
⭐ Set SMART Goals
Clear goals tell your brain what matters — eliminating confusion and making it easier to get started.
⭐ Plan Your Task List
Break big goals into manageable pieces. Identify urgent tasks and those you can delegate or schedule later. Use daily, weekly, and monthly planning to stay on track.
⭐ Break Tasks Down Smaller
Small steps build momentum. Focus on completing one piece at a time - one drawer, one email batch, one client task — not the whole mountain.
⭐ Replace Bad Habits with Good Ones
Use triggers that support your goals - small shifts in your habits add up:
- Move your alarm across the room
- Schedule your 10K steps first
- Replace negative thoughts with three positive ones
⭐ Visualize “Done”
Picture the end result — how it feels, what you gain, what stress disappears.
⭐ Ask Yourself: “What’s the worst that can happen?”
Chances are, the fear isn’t as big as your brain is telling you.
⭐ Reward Yourself
Celebrate wins (big and small). Your brain loves incentives — use them.
Procrastination isn’t a character flaw—it’s a habit. And habits can change.
Once you understand your procrastination style and learn how to interrupt the pattern, your time becomes easier to manage — and your days feel a whole lot lighter.
This wraps up our four-part Time Management Series, and I hope it’s helped you build more intention, clarity, and calm into your daily routine.
Don't forget to grab your workbook packed with goal-setting templates, habit trackers, and planning tools to help you stay focused and in control of your time.
Part I – What Is Your Time Vampire
Part II – 12 Steps to Vanquish Your Time Vampires
Part III – Improve Focus and Productivity for Better Time Management
Part IV – The Truth About Procrastination