Why Procrastinators Procrastinate — Wait but Why

The Dark Playground is a place every procrastinator knows well. It’s a place where leisure activities happen at times when leisure activities are not supposed to be happening. The fun you have in the Dark Playground isn’t actually fun because it’s completely unearned and the air is filled with guilt, anxiety, self-hatred, and dread. Sometimes the R... See more

The Instant Gratification Monkey, normally unshakable, is terrified of the Panic Monster.

This would be fine—cute, even—if the Rational Decision-Maker knew the first thing about how to own a monkey. But unfortunately, it wasn’t a part of his training and he’s left completely helpless as the monkey makes it impossible for him to do his job.

Avoid procrastination. So elegant in its simplicity.

Pretty normal, right? Now, let’s look at a procrastinator’s brain:

It’s a mess. And with the monkey in charge, the procrastinator finds himself spending a lot of time in a place called the Dark Playground.

The Panic Monster.

Non-procastinator’s brain has a Rational Decision-Maker - I do things that make sense. I think long term. I am not a child.

Of course, this is no way to live. Even for the procrastinator who does manage to eventually get things done and remain a competent member of society, something has to change. Here are the main reasons why: