Why Do Perfectionists Procrastinate?

Perfectionism is one of the main causes of procrastination. The close link between these two issues means that it’s important to understand that link and what can be done to help improve productivity. If you’re either a perfectionist or a procrastinator (or both) and you want to put an end to putting off your important tasks, let’s look at the reasons why perfectionists procrastinate.

What is procrastination?

Procrastination is the act of putting off certain tasks until another time. This could be for many reasons, for example, some are less urgent or important, or it could be because of perfectionism and a fear of failure or under-achieving.

What is perfectionism?

Perfectionism is the idea that everything you do has to be nothing less than perfect. The reality is that nobody can do everything perfect all the time, so as a basic idea, this is something which should be accepted for everybody in order to reduce stress and perfectionism. While aiming high is a positive quality which should be commended, this is different to perfectionism and often means less stress and pressure on the individual.

What are the reasons that perfectionists procrastinate?

• Fear of failure – The fear that you might fail something plays a massive part in putting things off or not doing them altogether. Perfectionists, in their attempts to do everything perfect, will often experience an almost crippling sense of fear that they might fail.
• Fear of under-achieving – It doesn’t have to be complete failure that makes a perfectionist worry about tackling tasks. The fear of under-achievement also brings a huge amount of stress and worry to a perfectionist.
• Buying more time – Putting things off for longer means that there is more time to figure out the ‘perfect’ way of doing something. It also gives a person the best chance possible at achieving what they see as perfection.

How can a perfectionist stop procrastinating?

In order for a perfectionist to stop procrastinating, it requires a phased and gentle approach which is self-led. Although you can get help through coaching or therapy or receive other forms of professional help, the individual must have the willpower to attempt to improve and see it through. It is a journey which involves being kinder to yourself, re-looking at things such as working as a team together, and practicing your skills to feel more comfortable about completing tasks to a standard which will satisfy both yourself and others involved.

To your success,

Dr. Amy