Rev. Colleen Irwin Loading
procrastination

Procrastination is a bad habit that can have many negative effects on your life. If not dealt with effectively, procrastination can damage your job, relationships and even your mental health.

Why We Procrastinate

Studies have shown that more than 20% of people can be described as “chronic procrastinators” who will always put off until tomorrow what they could or should be doing today.

There are a number of reasons why people procrastinate – from fear of failure to passive aggression that states (consciously or unconsciously) that no one is going to tell THEM what to do.

No matter what the reason, people’s expectations and needs are not met, which can often lead to the end of a job or the breaking up of a relationship.

Procrastination can make you miss out on countless opportunities. As humans we tend to avoid pain and seek pleasure. We avoid things we don’t like in the mistaken belief that the temporary enjoyment we get from procrastination is worth it. The pleasure will be short-lived, however, and only lead to a lot more pain in the long run.

The Negative Effects of Procrastination

Here are some common things people procrastinate about, with often disastrous results:

  • We put off going to the doctor.  Only to discover we have a serious illness that could have been treated more successfully if we had gone sooner.
  • We wait to pay our bills even if we have money in the account.  Thus leading to late fees and other charges.
  • We don’t do our taxes until the night before they are due, and then make a mess of it and miss out on our refund or get audited.
  • We miss deadlines at work, which affects our annual review. This can lead to not getting a raise or promotion, or even not keeping the job.
  • We miss deadlines at work in reference to our share in a larger project. We let down the whole team, and if someone has to take up the slack, this will cause resentment.

How Procrastination Can Negatively Affect All Areas of Our Lives

In addition to all of these obvious effects as a result of procrastination, there is the wider effect of negativity and stress that can only build over time. Stress can cause fatigue, a lack of sleep, a weakened immune system and stomach issues.

Work

At work, we will be stressed because we are under constant pressure to perform. Each missed deadline only increases this pressure. This can transform even your “dream job” into a nightmare. Failure can mean a poor reference, which will make it even harder to find and keep a good job.

Home

At home, you might procrastinate about even the simplest of tasks you promise to complete.  Let’s say it is cut the lawn. This leads to tension, with the person needing the work done and you procrastinating because you hate being told what to do. Their reasonable question regarding when it will be done turns into “nagging.”

Eventually, after countless promises from you, they either ask someone else.  Hire a professional, or do it themselves. If you are unreliable with a lot of little things, they will decide you are unreliable in general.  As a result your relationship may be in jepordy.

Procrastination may seem like you are winning, seeking pleasure and avoiding pain. However, the consequences can be a great deal more painful if you do not take steps to nip procrastination in the bud.

Rev. Colleen Irwin
Reverend Colleen Irwin is a Wife, Healer, Psychic Medium, Mentor, Author, and Public Speaker from Rochester, New York, with over 30 years of business experience, including her work as a real estate broker. Colleen’s background in training REALTORS honed her skills in conflict resolution, marketing strategies, and analytical as well as presentation skills, which she now applies to her spiritual education and coaching. Colleen teaches, lectures, and serves Spirit, sharing her lifelong connection with the spiritual world, as captured in her book 'Discovering Your Stream.' She has studied with renowned mediums John White and Lisa Williams and was mentored by Reverend Jack Rudy. Ordained in the Order of Melchizedek by Reverend Dan Chesboro, Colleen is also a PREVIVOR who educates others about the BRCA genetic mutation and taking control of their health. Her mission is to empower women through life’s significant changes—whether it be a career shift, parental care giving, health crises, relationship transformations, or spiritual awakenings. Through spiritual education, inspirational talks, and coaching, Colleen offers guidance and hope, helping women embrace their new purpose.
Previous post Navigating Family Reactions to Mediumship
go with the flow Next post Weekly Affirmation – Go with the Flow