The Psychology of Procrastination: Unraveling the Mind’s Tug-of-War

In a candid interview, Malak El Husseiny (MSc), a Counseling Psychologist at The Wellness Hub, dives deep into the enigmatic realm of procrastination. El Husseiny sheds light on the underlying psychological factors that contribute to this common yet perplexing behavior while exploring its impact on mental and emotional well-being. As the new year approaches, let’s explore the impact of resolutions and the pressure of a fresh start on procrastination tendencies. Furthermore, valuable strategies and techniques are uncovered to cultivate a proactive mindset and overcome the cycle of delay. Procrastination, that familiar foe that people encounter at some point, can be traced back to various psychological factors. El Husseiny reveals that emotional undercurrents play a significant role.  “Tasks that evoke fear of failure, criticism, or venturing into the unknown can trigger anxiety, leading individuals to seek temporary refuge through procrastination,” El Husseiny expresses.  The elusive pursuit of flawlessness, driven by low self-esteem and a craving for external validation, can also paralyze individuals, making them delay starting or finishing tasks. El Husseiny emphasizes that “cognitive biases further entangle us in the web of procrastination.” Present bias, the tendency to prioritize immediate gratification…

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