It happens to everyone: We’ve put something off for so long that suddenly we are in a time crunch. The end of the year, with approaching holidays, is often a strong reminder of what we could have done ahead of time but did not do. You think of how much you could be enjoying the days if only you had finished….(fill in the blank)…ahead of time.

The most common reasons people put forth for procrastinating are:

1. Lack of Interest. If it does not seem meaningful to you, it can be hard to begin. When there are more interesting things to do, it is easy to shift your priorities.
2. Lack of Time: It is common to underestimate how long something will take, and so you keep putting if off until there is a looming deadline.
3. Perfection: If you feel something has to have a perfect outcome, which is unattainable, it discourages you.
4. Others’ Opinions: We all care to some degree about how others perceive us, and we may be hesitant to risk failure, thinking it may lead to rejection.
5. Uncertainty: If you are not sure exactly what is expected of you, it may be difficult to get started.
6. The Unknown: You are attempting something new and are not sure what to expect, and that interferes with your need to begin.
7. Poor Work Habits: You multitask so much that it is difficult to focus on one activity until completed.

What can you do to change?

• Break the tasks into smaller pieces
• Set up a reasonable schedule for tackling those pieces.
• Build in a time for rewards and relaxation.
• Keep track of your progress and reassess time schedules as needed.
• Be reasonable in what you can expect of yourself.