Why we procrastinate

For procrastinators, deadlines are the mortal enemy. Yet it’s a self-made enemy, as without the dithering, time-wasting, and stalling, deadlines wouldn’t be an issue. It’s a conundrum that leaves you scratching your head as to why.

A common behaviour that a number of workers out there inherit is that of procrastination. According to Verywell Mind, procrastination is the act of delaying or putting off tasks until the last minute or past their deadline.

Researchers have described it as a “form of self-regulation failure characterised by the irrational delay of tasks despite potentially negative consequences”.

HR Leader recently spoke to a career insights specialist at Indeed, Kate Furey, about procrastination in the workplace and how it can become a contagious behaviour among employees.

“Everyone procrastinates from time to time, and it’s a very contagious behaviour. There are several proactive steps leaders can take to stop employees [from] procrastinating, and it starts with setting expectations. When employees have clear, achievable goals with well-defined deadlines, they are less likely to procrastinate,” Furey said.

Even though the consequences for not meeting deadlines can be very harsh, the fear of failure when it comes to a project can really delay a worker from getting on with it. That can be sparked by a lack of clarity or understanding of the task at hand.

When you don’t understand what you need to complete, then naturally, you’re going to hesitate to start it as you don’t want to make any mistakes or errors.

“Sometimes, procrastination can stem from a lack of knowledge or skills necessary to complete tasks efficiently. Providing adequate resources can empower employees to tackle tasks promptly and confidently. Leaders can work with employees to develop methods for prioritising tasks, breaking down projects into manageable steps, and carving out time for strategic thinking and innovation,” Furey said.

“It’s also crucial to cultivate a supportive work environment. This includes establishing a culture that promotes open communication, teamwork, feedback, accountability, and recognition of achievements. This instils a sense of ownership and motivation among employees to deliver their best work and uphold their commitments.”

Leaders have the ability to cultivate a supportive network and working environment that can dismantle some of the key problems that tend to trigger procrastination. Although it’s often compared to being lazy or sluggish, procrastination for some people can be draining, as they know the consequences are on the horizon, yet they just can’t get started.

Even if they are a functioning procrastinator that is just meeting deadlines on time, the routine of that can be just as exhausting and offers a speed boost to stress and burnout.

Underlying factors also play a huge role and can directly contribute towards discounting those potential procrastination triggers. Mental health issues, workload and many other factors that can fly under the radar can cause procrastination, and leaders must attempt to be aware of it.

“Additionally, addressing underlying issues that contribute to procrastination is crucial. Leaders should be attuned to factors such as workload concerns, mental health challenges, or personal issues impacting productivity,” Furey said.

“Providing appropriate support and resources demonstrates a commitment to employee wellbeing and helps remove barriers to productivity.”

Procrastination may be looked upon with a bit of humour as it is often a self-inflicted issue that affects a number of people, but eventually, they get through it. But when it becomes repetitive and is affecting productivity, it can be the boiling point for a number of underlying issues.

It’s crucial that leaders keep an eye on their employees who may be experiencing chronic procrastination and ensure that they give them the clarity and resources needed to break through it.