Causes of Procrastination #1 - Perfectionism

Over the last year many people have written me and told me how the dreaded "P" word, procrastination, is a big problem for them. I have also - and sometimes still do - suffered from procrastination. However, I've discovered what the causes of this "condition" are. Like any medical professional will tell you, the key to curing any ailment is to know what caused it in the first place. Throughout the next few days I'll be posting about what makes us delay important activities for so long. And then, on my last post, I'll tell you how we can overcome this hurdle.

Perfectionism

As odd and paradoxical as it seems, perfectionism is perhaps the leading cause of procrastination. The perfectionist often feels that if something is going to be done, it might just as well be done perfect or not done at all. This leaves projects or tasks either dusty in the planning stages or if they do get started, left stagnant in the early steps of development.

Perfectionism refers to a set of self-defeating thoughts and behaviors aimed at reaching excessively high unrealistic goals. Perfectionism is like a double-edged sword--it cuts both ways. Perfectionists often don't realize that they are hurting themselves by their own actions. Perfectionism is a duel with oneself, the ultimate "no-win" situation.

According to a Psychologist at Baruch College in New York, perfectionists tell themselves that their determination to be perfect will win success, acceptance, love and fulfillment, yet the opposite more often occurs. Even when perfectionists do achieve, the methods they use can deprive them of the very love and acceptance they want so badly to gain.

What ends up happening in the life of the ‘perfect procrastinator’ is they start, and then stop and they start, then stop and start. They never seem to be able to follow through and others sometimes say they are ‘underachievers.’ Being tagged with this term generally leads to even greater amounts of procrastination.

This cause debilitates the procrastinator and leads to them not moving forward in their careers or family life because some simple thing isn’t as perfect as their mind feels it should be.