Procrastination is a problem for people with or without ADHD. The damage doesn't stop with the repercussions of not following through. It is more than failing grades on a report card, loss of promotion, missed opportunities, or getting dismissed from a job. Although the consequences are devastating enough, procrastination has an uglier side, where the damage runs deeper.
Negative messages result from consequences of procrastination. Eventually, the messages erode our thinking, emotion, and behavior. The psyche is damaged.
Procrastinators often laugh and joke about their habit, and use trite excuses to pass it off.
"I do my best work under pressure."
"I would have done it if only . . . ."
"That's just the way I am."
No amount of joking, laughing or using excuses will stop negative messages resulting from negative outcomes of procrastination. The message says something is wrong with the procrastinator, rather than the habit of procrastinating. This message, although incorrect, is loud and clear. Serious damage materializes when this incorrect message is internalized.
As consequences of our procrastination become more severe, the message that something is wrong with the person, not the habit is magnified. This results in the person taking a new identity. The identity is one of failure. It may be the belief that one is different, weird, stupid, defective, incapable, unfit, loser, or worse.
Whatever it is, the new identity originates from the repeated message sent to the unconscious mind. It is the affirmation sent to the unconscious mind so many times over a period of time, that it accepts it as true. The unconscious mind acts on this information. Afterall, its job is to create congruency with what it accepts to be true, right or wrong, from the information it receives. It matters not whether the affirmation is negative or positive.
The new identity is reflected by negative thinking, negative emotions, and negative behavior. This ensures acting out on a conscious level the failure identity engraved on the unconscious mind. Unfortunately, it perpetuates the procrastination, negative repurcussions and failure identity, propelling it into a destructive cycle.
Thinking is taken over by I can't. Nothing can be done, nothing will work. Emotions are dominated by anger, guilt, worry, fear, resentment, hate, and depression. Self-destructive and self-defeating behaviors including misuse of drugs or alcohol, uncontrollable rage, futility, and indifference surface.
Procrastination is a habit. It is a symptom that has nothing to do with intelligence. Its use can produce disasterous results, but it doesn't mean the procrastinator is a disaster.
It is crucial that the results of procrastinating be viewed separately from the procrastinator.
Bad grades on report cards, or inferior work evaluations may be based on missing assignments and projects. Broken promises and lack of follow through may cause business and social relationships to end.
Something is wrong, and that something is procrastination.
Unfulfilled responsibilities, assignments, and promises cause negative repercussions that eventually damage the psyche by eroding ones thinking, emotions and behavior. It is time to put an end to the procrastination habit. Like any habit, this can be done. Help is available.
Do not view the unconscious mind as the enemy. It simply does its job. Think of it as your best friend. Put it to work in your favor. Guard your thinking. Send positive messages to the unconscious mind. Break the procrastination habit. Don't wait until serious repercussions send the message that there is something wrong with you.
Send the message that you are a winner. Make it happen.
Paul Keene, educator, writer, and speaker is founder of Keene Health LLC. He helps children and adults manage ADHD and other personal performance issues. Learn more about Paul and his services at: keenehealth.net and theabcsofadhd.com. Visit his ADHD blog, Let the Energy Flow, at keeneonlife.blogspot.com.