Why Can't You Act Until Just Before the Deadline? 9 Types of "Procrastinators" and How to Break Free

"I'll reply to this email once I've calmed down a bit."

"I'll just tidy up my desk before writing the report."

"I don't think I can concentrate today. I'll start seriously tomorrow morning."

While thinking this way, time passes, and before you know it, the deadline is right around the corner. You start working under worse conditions than before, burdened with anxiety and guilt.

Procrastination is a behavior familiar to most people. It spans a wide range of activities, from everyday chores like laundry and cleaning to work reports, exam studies, tax procedures, scheduling health checkups, and important discussions with family.

Generally, it is often seen as a sign of "weak will," "poor time management," or "laziness." However, experts indicate that procrastination is not simply a character flaw.

Behind it lie various factors such as anxiety, boredom, fear of failure, the belief that things must be perfect, a sense of being controlled by others, and mental and physical fatigue.

Procrastinators are not of one kind

Dr. Itamar Shatz, a social scientist teaching at Cambridge University, organizes the tendencies of procrastinators into nine types based on research in psychology, behavioral economics, and neuroscience.

However, this is not a diagnosis that confines people to a single box. The same person may exhibit multiple characteristics depending on the task or situation, such as being a perfectionist at work, pleasure-oriented in household chores, or burnout during tired periods.

1. Worrier Type

Constantly thinking, "What if I fail?" "What if I'm criticized?" "What if a problem arises midway?" leads to an inability to start taking action.

It's not a lack of preparation that prevents action, but rather the repeated replay of negative outcomes in the mind, making the task seem more dangerous than it actually is.

For this type, instead of endlessly searching for a "foolproof method," it's helpful to decide in advance how to respond if a problem arises. It's important to understand that while the worst-case scenario cannot be completely eliminated, it can be managed if it occurs.

2. Pessimist Type

This type loses the meaning of taking action, thinking, "It won't work anyway," "It's too late to start now," or "Even if I try, it won't be appreciated."

It's not so much fear of failure as it is underestimating the possibility of success. Even before starting the task, it feels as if the outcome is predetermined.

What is needed is not baseless optimism but collecting evidence of small successes. Actions like opening one document, writing just the subject line of an email, or researching for five minutes can break the prediction of "I can't do anything."

3. Perfectionist Type

Instead of creating something good enough, they feel they must create something ideal. As a result, preparation before starting takes a long time, they keep refining details, and they can't complete the task.

At first glance, this type appears diligent. They spend a lot of time on information gathering, planning, and choosing tools. However, if preparation doesn't lead to actual results, it can also become procrastination.

The solution is to change the goal from "creating a perfect finished product" to "creating an imperfect first draft." A 60% complete draft is more valuable than a non-existent 100% finished product.

4. Dreamer Type

They enjoy thinking about future ideals and grand ideas but lose interest when it comes to the steady execution phase.

They envision new ventures, creations, acquiring qualifications, or changing jobs and gather information, but concrete tasks like applying, practicing, or producing do not progress.

Dreaming itself is not the problem. The problem is that dreams and today's actions are not connected. Instead of "someday writing a book," it needs to be transformed into observable actions like "writing three headings today."

5. Zigzag Type

Right after starting one task, they remember another errand, get drawn to notifications or new ideas, and keep changing their focus.

Since they are busy moving around, they often don't feel like they are procrastinating. But at the end of the day, only the important work remains.

For this type, it's effective to jot down other errands that come to mind during work instead of starting them immediately. It's necessary to change the environment, not just rely on concentration, by turning off notifications, placing the smartphone elsewhere, and dividing work time into shorter segments.

6. Rebellious Type

When they feel ordered by others, deprived of choices, or monitored, they delay tasks to regain their own initiative.

It's a case where dissatisfaction with a boss, teacher, or family turns into resistance to the task itself. For the person, procrastination becomes a silent protest of "I won't act according to your wishes."

However, the one who actually suffers is themselves. As a countermeasure, it's necessary to refocus on what they want to gain, not for the person who gave the order. For example, reframe studying for exams not to satisfy the teacher but to increase future options.

7. Thrill-Seeker Type

They can't concentrate without the tension of a looming deadline and believe they can do better work when under pressure.

Indeed, as the deadline approaches, unnecessary options disappear, and one can temporarily enter a state of strong concentration. When that experience becomes a success story, they tend to wait until the last minute every time.

However, this is a risky method based on the assumption that unexpected problems will not occur. Just one issue, such as poor health, communication failure, or additional revisions, can collapse the entire plan.

Simply setting an earlier deadline may not work because they know it's a self-imposed deadline. It's effective to turn it into a commitment with others, such as reporting progress to someone or setting intermediate submissions.

8. Pleasure-Seeking Type

They choose actions that immediately make them feel good, such as watching videos, playing games, using social media, eating, or shopping, over tedious tasks.

Humans tend to prioritize immediate small pleasures over future large benefits. Especially current digital services are designed to provide new stimuli and rewards at short intervals.

Telling this type to "have more self-control" is not an easy solution. It's important to increase the effort required to reach temptations. Log out of apps, turn off notifications, and don't place gaming devices in the workspace; use friction instead of willpower.

9. Burnout Type

It's not that they lack motivation; they simply have no energy left to use.

They continue to bear work, study, housework, and relationships for a long time, and even if they think they are resting, they don't recover. Sometimes they lack the energy to enjoy videos or entertainment and just keep staring at the screen.

Treating this state as the same productivity problem as other types is dangerous. If you make more detailed plans or increase efforts, it may worsen.

What is needed is reducing burdens, reassessing priorities, sufficient rest, and consulting with those around you. If serious disruptions to life or work continue, consulting a medical institution or specialist is also an option.

The 9 classifications are useful, but don't pigeonhole yourself

The nine classifications serve as clues to consider why you can't move.

On the other hand, workplace psychologist Ian MacRae points out the importance of not accepting these labels as fixed personality traits.

Instead of thinking, "I'm a perfectionist, so it can't be helped," consider it as "I'm acting perfectionistically today."

The former implies an unchangeable personality, while the latter merely indicates a current reaction. If it's a reaction, it can be corrected by changing the environment, mindset, or order of actions.

The classification is a map for understanding yourself, not a new title that immobilizes you.

The common core is "wanting to avoid unpleasant emotions for now"

Professor Fuschia Sirois of Durham University takes a cautious stance on the idea of categorizing procrastination into types.

Although surface behaviors differ among individuals, in many cases, the commonality is the tendency to avoid the unpleasant emotions associated with tasks.

For example, the moment you try to write a report, anxiety arises that you might not be able to explain it well. The moment you open an email, you imagine being criticized by the recipient. Seeing a messy room, you feel overwhelmed, not knowing where to start.

At that point, the brain searches for actions that can immediately change the mood.

You check social media. Read the news. Start unrelated cleaning. Eat snacks. Continue searching, thinking, "I need more information."

Since it feels a bit better at that moment, the brain learns avoidance behavior. However, the task doesn't disappear. With less time, anxiety intensifies, and guilt and self-criticism are added.

Feeling anxious, avoiding, temporarily feeling relieved, the situation worsens, feeling even more anxious.

This is the cycle of procrastination.

In other words, what we are avoiding is not the task itself. It's the emotions anticipated to be felt when starting the task, such as anxiety, boredom, confusion, helplessness, and shame.

The most relatable on social media was "Read Later"

When Cambridge University introduced the 9 types on LinkedIn, the post received many reactions.

Symbolic among them was the short comment, "I'll read this later."

It's a joke about procrastinating even on articles about solving procrastination, but it gathered a particularly large number of reactions among the comments in the post. While turning a serious theme into laughter, many people admitted that it resonated with them.

Another user questioned the "pre-crastinator," or the advance type, who finishes tasks too early.

Finishing work immediately is highly valued socially. However, if that behavior stems from the feeling of "I can't stand not getting it done quickly," the mental burden on the person is not small.

It's a point that even actions seemingly opposite to procrastination may have the same underlying anxiety.

There was also a question about where the difficulty in executive function and initiation due to ADHD fits among the 9 types.

From the outside, the difficulty in starting tasks due to ADHD and general procrastination both appear as the same behavior of "not starting what should be done." However, the causes and necessary support may not be the same.

If characteristics like ADHD are dismissed as merely issues of will or habit, it unnecessarily blames the person. Conversely, one should also be cautious about easily linking all procrastination to specific disorders.

The question of whether high productivity equals health

On social media, there are also doubts about the unconditional view that overcoming procrastination is always good.

A LinkedIn user pointed out whether education and workplaces overvalue speed, efficiency, and short-term results. Sometimes, creative ideas and learning retention require time to mature without rushing to conclusions.

Here, it's necessary to distinguish between "intentional waiting" and "procrastination."

Letting materials sit overnight and reviewing them the next morning. Gathering information before making important decisions. Not replying in an emotional state and talking after calming down. Prioritizing rest when tired.

These are not necessarily harmful procrastination. They are intentional delays decided with a purpose and may improve judgment and outcomes.

On the other hand, if something was really meant to be done today but is delayed unplanned to avoid discomfort, knowing it will cause trouble for oneself or others later, it is considered problematic procrastination.

The difference is not in the length of time the task is delayed.

The criteria are whether the delay was chosen by oneself, whether it was an avoidance swept by anxiety, and whether the situation improves or worsens as a result.

On Reddit, there is empathy for "It's not laziness," while being cautious about pinpointing causes

In related Reddit communities dealing with procrastination, many share experiences of realizing they were not lazy but unable to act due to fear or perfectionism.

Voices like "I don't want to start if I can't do it well," "I'm afraid of being thought of as low quality despite spending time," and "I wait until optimal conditions are met" overlap with the descriptions of perfectionist and worrier types.

On the other hand, there are cautious rebuttals to posts that explain all procrastination with a single cause like trauma, ADHD, or depression.

Procrastination is a very common behavior, and not everyone has the same deep psychological issues. Sometimes it's simply avoiding boring tasks, having problems with planning, or facing strong digital temptations.

Explanations like "the real reason you can't act" that spread easily on social media can be a starting point for self-understanding. However, one cannot diagnose oneself or others based on short posts alone.

The 9 types and the theory of emotional regulation are not tests to determine causes but perspectives for observing one's behavior.

The first step to stop procrastinating

Experts commonly emphasize not trying to suddenly become a strong person.

The first thing to do is to put into words "what you don't want to feel right now."

Not just "I hate creating materials," but "I'm afraid of being thought insufficient."

Not just "I don't want to study," but "I'm afraid to confirm that I don't understand."

Not just "I don't want to tidy up the room," but "It feels like too much to finish."

Once you understand the emotions, you can concretize countermeasures.

If anxious, decide how to respond if you fail. If bored, break it into short periods.