## Know Yourself Better: What Kind of Procrastinator Are You?
Source URL:: <https://gretchenrubin.com/2022/08/know-yourself-better-what-kind-of-procrastinator-are-you/>
On the Happier with [[Gretchen Rubin]] podcast, Elizabeth and I often pose "know yourself better" questions. It's surprisingly hard to know ourselves! When we get better insight into our own values, quirks, and nature, we often identify patterns or spot possibilities to make ourselves happier, healthier, more creative—and more productive. In episode 391, […]
### Highlights
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> Procrasti-clearing or procrasti-cleaning—I write about this challenge in my book Outer Order, Inner Calm
>Procrasti-creating—I remind myself that "Working is one of the most dangerous forms of procrastination." For all my fellow Game of Thrones lovers, it sure seems as if George R. R. Martin is procrasti-creating about finishing The Winds of Winter.
>Procrati-viewing—we've all done it!
>Procrasti-scrolling—and the related procrasti-shopping
>Procrastic-waiting—wait for someone else to encourage you or invite you to go ahead, such as a mentor or advocate
>Procrasti-gaming—Elizabeth mentions our Try-This-at-Home suggestion to "Delete a soul-sucking app" from episode 91
>Procrasti-claiming—making questionable claims about the rules that apply or limitations that exist: "I can't work at night," "I'll do better if I begin in the new year"
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> Procrasti-snacking—so common!
>Procrasti-caffeinating—can't start without a beverage
>Procrasti-researching—this is a particular issue for Questioners, who can fall into analysis-paralysis
>Procrastic-caring—putting off your own task because you're caring for someone else's wants first. One listener made a helpful point: "The first step in eliminating this one is defining wants vs. needs for the people in your life. Children need to be fed, but they may be picky and want elaborate kinds of meals that take way too much time and effort.
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> "I use housework to procrastinate on writing, but sometimes it works since mindless activity can let my brain develop ideas and get that 'aha' to break through blocks."
>"Sometimes, doing a quick and easy task helps me overcome the anxiety of tackling a big or overwhelming project."
>"I have to get all the stuff on my phone done before I can focus on other stuff, or else it just bugs me and keeps my mind distracted."