This article also says that procrastination is an emotion regulation problem, not a time management problem. People procrastinate because of an inability to manage negative moods and feelings around a certain task. We can either make ourselves feel better by completing the task, or we can make ourselves feelbetter by procrastinating. Both give us a sense of relief, but at different times. Completing the task doesn't give you immediate relief, but it gives you long term relief.
[video available on spotify] i got the idea for this episode because i was quite literally procrastinating writing an outline for a podcast episode. i didn't have an idea for a topic, or the mental energy to sit down and brainstorm. and i realized, everyone struggles with this. at times the human condition can feel like this constant fight against procrastination. we always have things that we need to do, and simultaneously we have so many things that we'd rather be doing that are more fun, lighthearted, and enjoyable. and the thing about procrastination is that not only does it cause stress, but it can also impact our self-esteem. it’s something that a lot of us only vaguely understand. we know we do it, but we don't fully understand why we do it or how we can stop doing it. so let’s talk about it.
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