Introduction: The Misjudgment About Laziness
The misjudgment about laziness
Have you ever called yourself lazy when you couldn’t seem to get started on something? You aren't by yourself. A lot of people identify procrastination with laziness, but the two are not the same. Laziness is a lack of desire to act. Procrastination is a desire to act that’s blocked by something profound, usually emotional or mental.
The Psychology Behind Why We Procrastinate
At its center, procrastination is a coping technique. It’s our mind’s way of protecting us from uncomfortable emotions—fear, failure, shame, even success. When a task makes us feel worried or unsure, our brain tries to protect us by avoiding it altogether. We’re not being lazy—we’re being afraid or overwhelmed without even realizing it.
Causes: Fear, Perfectionist, and Overcome.
- Fear of not doing something perfectly leads us to avoid doing it at all. (Face Everything and Regroup)
- A person who is a stickler for perfection sets impossibly high standards, making starting feel like setting yourself up for failure.
- Overcoming too many duties or no so unclear steps causes weakness. We stiffen, not knowing where to start.
These aren’t character flaws—they’re emotional and mental barriers. The good thing is that once you name them, you can obtain them.
What does procrastination have to do with Compassion for yourself
If you’ve been calling yourself lazy, just stop criticizing yourself. Do this instead: offer yourself compassion. Be aware that procrastination is a sign, not a sentence. It’s a sign that something needs attention—be it your emotional and mental well-being, lack of purpose, or no support system.
Action Tip: Identify the Reason
Take 20 minutes today to write in your journal about a task you’ve been putting off. Ask yourself:
- How do I feel when I think about doing this?
- Am I scared of doing it wrong?
- Do I feel vague about where to start?
- Is this what I am aiming for, or is it someone else’s inheritance?
What is your WHY? It is the first step to overcoming procrastination. Once this happens, you can do something about it instead of treating the symptom.
Just remind yourself: You are not lazy. You are human, and you’re ready to spring up and develop and mature.
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