It doesn’t matter whether it’s a work project or a personal task, some people procrastinate on absolutely everything in life.
They might have a month’s notice on a deadline, but still won’t start working on it until 15 minutes before it’s due. Most of us can’t imagine living that way, but for people who leave everything until the last minute, this is a common experience. Sadly, this bad habit doesn’t exist in a vacuum — they probably struggle with these things too. (And hey, try not to feel too attacked if this sounds like you — these can be changed!)
1. They struggle with time management.
Procrastination and poor time management go hand in hand. When someone keeps putting things off, they tend to underestimate how long tasks will take. They skip breaking things down into smaller steps, which means they end up scrambling last minute because they didn’t plan ahead. It’s like trying to run a race without knowing where the finish line is.
2. They get easily distracted.
Instead of focusing on the task at hand, procrastinators often get pulled away by just about anything. Social media, random household chores, or daydreaming can all seem more appealing than the work they need to do. Then, with the deadline looming, that’s when the panic sets in, and they realise they’ve left everything to the last minute.
3. They have trouble setting priorities.
When everything feels urgent, it’s hard to know what needs to get done first. These people often struggle with prioritising, and that’s when things pile up. They’re stuck in the cycle of trying to handle everything at once, making it harder to focus on the really important stuff before time runs out.
4. They overcommit themselves.
A lot of procrastinators have a hard time saying no, so they end up taking on way too much. The result? They have too much on their plate and not enough time to get it all done. That can lead to stress and that all-too-familiar last-minute panic. Sometimes, learning to say “no” is the key to getting a handle on everything.
5. They thrive on stress (but not in a healthy way).
For some, stress is the only thing that gets them moving. They’re used to the deadline pressure pushing them to work, but it’s not a healthy way to function. They may get the job done at the last minute, but it’s exhausting, and it often leads to burnout. While the adrenaline might be there, it doesn’t mean it’s the best way to get things done.
6. They underestimate how much work a task will take.
Procrastinators often think they can knock something out in a short amount of time, only to realise they’ve bitten off more than they can chew. They misjudge how much time and effort a task needs, leading to last-minute stress and rushed results. A little planning could’ve saved a lot of hassle.
7. They avoid doing things that seem hard.
If a task looks too difficult or boring, it often gets pushed aside. This avoidance leads to procrastination because, let’s face it, if something seems like a mountain to climb, you’re going to keep putting it off. The fear of tackling something hard only makes the problem worse, leading to that overwhelming crunch when the deadline arrives.
8. They’re perfectionists.
For some procrastinators, being a perfectionist only makes things harder. They want everything to be just right, but because of that, they put off starting until they feel like it’ll be perfect. They get stuck in the planning phase, delaying the actual work. It’s like being stuck in neutral and never moving forward, and it only adds to the stress when it’s time to finally get it done.
9. They don’t know how to say no.
A big part of procrastination is taking on too much because you don’t want to let anyone down. Saying yes to too many things means you’re stretching yourself thin, and before you know it, you’re juggling way more than you can handle. Learning to set boundaries and say no when necessary helps take some of the pressure off and gives you more time to focus on what really matters.
10. They avoid taking responsibility for their actions.
When things go wrong, procrastinators might try to blame external factors like being too busy or distracted, rather than owning up to the role they played in delaying things. That lack of accountability only makes the cycle of procrastination worse, creating more stress and preventing them from learning how to manage time more effectively.
11. They find it hard to focus for long periods.
Long stretches of focused work are often a struggle. Instead of diving into a task and sticking with it, procrastinators find themselves bouncing between tasks or giving in to distractions. Without sustained focus, things get delayed, and the pressure only builds as the deadline approaches.
12. They’re often disorganised.
Procrastination and disorganisation go hand in hand. Without a clear system in place to manage tasks, it’s easy to forget deadlines or let things pile up. That disorganisation leads to a last-minute rush to get everything done, resulting in stress and mistakes that could have been avoided with a bit of planning.
13. They have trouble getting started.
Getting started is often the hardest part for chronic procrastinators. The thought of tackling something can feel overwhelming, and so they put it off. But this just leads to wasted time and a growing sense of panic as the deadline nears. Breaking things down into smaller, manageable steps could help ease the pressure and make it easier to dive in.
