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The Real Reasons You Procrastinate at Work
Article

The Real Reasons You Procrastinate at Work

According to a growing body of psychology research, procrastination isn’t a weakness – it’s a symptom.

Atlassian, 2022


Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Well Structured
  • For Beginners
  • Engaging

Recommendation

Procrastination at work often gets attributed to laziness. However, at its core, procrastination is not simply an issue of motivation – or lack thereof. The emotional distress that underlies procrastination stems from issues of insecurity, confusion and fear. Sarah Goff-Dupont, principal writer at Atlassian, teaches how these emotions can interfere with your progress and offers some simple steps to eliminate procrastination.

Take-Aways

  • Procrastination at work is a symptom of emotional distress, and it is your brain’s way of telling you that you need something to finish the job.
  • When it strikes at the beginning of a task, procrastination often signals a lack of knowledge.
  • Feelings of inadequacy can prompt procrastination.

About the Author

Sarah Goff-Dupont is a principal writer at Atlassian. She has published in industry publications including Harvard Business Review and Huffington Post.