Welcome Emily Hughes, LCAT, ATR-BC (she/her)
Have you ever wondered, “Why do I procrastinate?” when it comes to doing the things you love? In this four-part series, I will explain the psychology behind procrastination. You have a unique voice and way of expressing it that's all your own, whether you're an entrepreneur or a creative professional. You've had a passionate drive and thriving imagination from a young age. And yet, it's so hard to bring your ideas into reality.
Why? Is procrastination a form of anxiety? Is it laziness? A lack of talent, ideas, or ambition? In some cases, sure (which we can also address in therapy), but for most of my clients, those aren't the real reasons behind their feeling stuck. Usually, one, two, three, or four other factors are at play:
Over the next month, I'll share the four most common reasons I see in therapy for procrastination.
Reason 1 You insist on perfection. Perfectionism is often associated with high-quality work and mastery of a given craft or art form. A perfectionist mindset can help one focus on a problem until it's resolved and motivate a person to work through the night. Many of the cultural icons we revere in America have called themselves perfectionists.
In some ways, a perfectionist attitude can be motivating, but there can be a dark side. Has your insistence on perfection ever left you standing at the starting line?
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In my experience, perfectionism is present in the work of some highly successful people, but it isn't necessary to achieve extraordinary success. In the cases I see in my practice, perfectionism has done as much harm as it's done good, if not more, and curtails the potential of most people. I've seen former perfectionists choose a different philosophy -- one that's motivating, empowering, and helpful in achieving all of one's goals in life, and their work improved!
One freedom that can never be taken away is our ability to choose the attitude we take toward the circumstances we find ourselves in. We are not purely the result of our surroundings or our past. We are the actualization of the decisions we make in the face of those circumstances.
My approach to therapy is informed by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), particularly the work of Albert Ellis, the grandfather of CBT, and founder of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), existential, and humanistic therapy. I harmonize these influences when helping my clients address problems like procrastination as I work with each person individually based on my unique experience with them. I welcome you to reach out if you're looking to overcome procrastination or other limiting behaviors. And stay tuned for parts 2, 3, and 4 of this series as I continue to address the root causes of procrastination.
Julia Baum, LMHC 7/6/22
Julia Baum
Julia Baum is a cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) specialist licensed in New York and California. Her expertise is in helping entrepreneurs, creatives, and innovators overcome extreme stress, low self-confidence, productivity blocks, and procrastination to reach their highest potential. Julia integrates evidence-based psychotherapy with existential philosophy and mindfulness techniques to effectively treat anxiety, panic, and depression. Client's have described working with Julia as "calming," "challenging," and "rewarding."