Procrastination Station

Whether you like it or not, procrastination is a common symptom of ADHD. Learning why you procrastinate can help you move from avoiding to getting things done.

One of the most prominent symptoms of ADHD, regardless of type, is procrastination.

Leaving work until the last minute, running up against deadlines, or inevitably completing projects late are all signs of procrastination.

Many ADHD’ers feel this inability to do tasks on time means they’re lazy.

Procrastination does not always equal laziness when you have ADHD!

In episode 456 of Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast, Procrastinating with Lynne Edris, Lynne talks about two different types of procrastination— intentional and unintentional procrastination.

Intentional procrastination means you are purposefully ignoring a task due to not caring about the task or finishing it. 

Unintentional procrastination explains a lot of the ADHD’ers that put things off to the last minute, sometimes without even realizing it. 

You want to do the work, but can’t seem to get started.

In the episode, Lynne talks about finding the root of the procrastination problem to finally begin to move past it and start getting things done.

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help learn why you are procrastinating and find ways to move past it toward productivity.

• What emotions/feelings are you experiencing when you knowingly put something off until later?

  • Are you tired? Are you nervous that you won’t do a good job? Do you feel bored with the task ahead and lack motivation?

• What emotions do you experience when you are finally working on a task at the last minute? 

  • These emotions often leave us feeling poorly

  • Anxious, upset, frustrated, disappointed

• How can you affect your emotions about why you are putting off a task to be able to get the work done on time and avoid the negative emotions of working up until the last minute?

  • If you’re tired, learn when you are most alert during the day to schedule your work time.

  • If you’re nervous about doing a good job, find positive affirmations you have previously received on tasks to remind yourself that you are good enough!

  • While we won’t always be able to find motivation to do every task, it can be easy enough to turn your tasks into a game to make them a little less “boring” and easier to start.

Thanks for your time and attention,

-Nikki