Neal Augenstein, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – You can’t finish a job if you don’t start it. It’s a mantra procrastinators know all too well.

For those seemingly determined to wait until the last minute to complete tasks, the delay can be taxing on a procrastinator’s coworkers, loved ones and the slowpoke himself.

So why do people procrastinate?

Time management and productivity experts think there may be many reasons, according to The New York Times.

Being overwhelmed: With the recent recession, workers are often encouraged to do more with less. The challenge of being asked to be creative and efficient simultaneously can be paralyzing.

Perfectionism: Being worried about what others think of a procrastinator’s work can make the procrastinator think, “If I never finish the job, I can never be judged.” Some procrastinators would rather be criticized for poor time management than lack of ability.

Distractions: Facebook, Twitter, the Internet. With so many things to do other than work, procrastinators often get sidetracked from the job at hand with a momentary sense of accomplishment.

Fear of Success: A procrastinator sometimes thinks to himself: “If I do this job well, you’ll expect more of me next time — and I don’t know if I can deliver.”

The experts suggest avoiding looking at the project in its entirety, instead breaking it down into manageable parts. A procrastinator who offers himself a reward after accomplishing a defined portion of the task often finds it easier to tackle the next part.

While time management tricks may help, chronic procrastinators may benefit from a trip to a mental health provider, who may be able to help them understand why they’re putting up roadblocks.

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