Procrastination: Why We Do It - Avoiding Unpleasantness

Sometimes the simplest answers are the most accurate. If we are out of touch with our inner feelings, procrastination may be our way of avoiding doing things we don’t want to do in the first place. Many people delay tasks waiting for a time when they “feel like it”. Unfortunately, most people never “feel like” paying bills. They tackle this unpleasant task for the satisfaction they know they will feel after they have completed the task. People expect to have the good feeling before they accomplish the task. That’s backwards.

The key to overcoming has two parts: 1) reduce the unpleasantness if possible and 2) focus on the pay off when the task is complete. If you hate dusting, buy dusting spray with a pleasant aroma. If you hate paying bills, put on some pleasant music. Do it outside in the sunshine. If the task is especially tedious or difficult, break it into smaller tasks that are easier to face. It is also important with unpleasant tasks to focus on the pay off. The task itself may be unpleasant but you will feel great when you complete it. This is how people get themselves to the gym. The gym experience itself is uncomfortable but they know they will feel great afterwards.