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Comment by pipio21 | Hacker News Reader

In my experience as engineer(personal responsibility), manager(group responsibility) and entrepreneur(company responsibility), the main reason for procrastinating is always fear and anxiety.

Tim ferris simplifies it well: https://www.ted.com/talks/tim_ferriss_why_you_should_define_...

The adventure to master your personal fears, and the fears of your groups, your family, your coworkers never ends.

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I think this factor is overplayed sometimes. Why can't people simply be lazy and not driven or motivated enough to overcome that laziness? It doesn't help that internet and TV feeds into that laziness and lack of motivation by providing quick escapes from thinking about what needs to be done.

Because laziness has never been found and diagnosed in psychology and psychiatry.

It's a moral attribute originally stemming from some religions.

Laziness is about doing what you want to do, not what someone who calls you lazy wants you to do.

Not always. For a true procrastinator you end up doing stuff you both don't want to do and don't need to do. Think, "least positive possible" Pure self sabotage.

Wait but why has an incredible read on the subject.

https://waitbutwhy.com/2013/10/why-procrastinators-procrasti...

If you have determined that the task is a net negative, is avoiding that task still a fear? At that point, wouldn't avoiding the task be the most rational/optimal decision?

There have been many times where I have followed something to its conclusion due to fear of feeling like a quitter.

Seems to me the most rational decision at that point is explaining to your boss why it's a net negative. I'm sure there are a few folks out there whose bosses might react negatively, but they are far outnumbered by the number of folks whose bosses would appreciate it if the employee had the balls to share their honest opinion.

That's an extremely deep starting point.. but it's interesting.

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