Procrastination Types: The Crisis-maker

Like the Dreamer, Crisis-makers have a low threshold for boredom too. However the reasons they get distracted are quite different from the Dreamer – They need a sense of urgency to drive them.

This might be due to a low level of dopamine. As a result, they are seeking dopamine-inducing activities, such as getting on social media, rock climbing or writing a 3000 word essay in a day. Thanks to the dopamine release and accompanying other neurotransmitters such as serotonin and oxytocin, it triggers “high spirit” for Crisis-makers to feel happy, alert, and impulsive – very similar to other addictions too. Being on the edge makes them feel alive.

Needs: Significance, Variety, Growth

Compared to the Dreamer or the Perfectionist, instead of dropping it within a few minutes at the beginning, you may not even start! On the one hand you are building up the excitement to this task; on the other hand, you are finding a strong reason to do it here and now. This procrastination makes you feel significant while you are enjoying a variety of other thrilling activities in life. Because this excitement is strongly linked to the reward center in your brain, it is also hard to cut it off. So we must ask: How to start doing things the way your brain likes?

1. Create a sense of urgency for important tasks
   
   Challenge yourself to an inevitable deadline, for example, before 10:00am you need to complete a 500 word executive summary or 3 follow-up phone calls. Once you complete it, you will feel significant for your ability and achievement. Make sure this time slot is short enough so you don’t leave too much room to dodge – escapism can be an underlined issue when you are not cautious.



2. Soothe your brain and modulate dopamine level
   
   Ask any Amsterdammer how to get high and I am sure you would get plenty of suggestions – Not of them will suit you though. But in terms of the recommendation for a gentle uplifting mood, you might want to try mindfulness practices such as meditation, breathing exercises or yoga. By slowly increasing dopamine level, it reduces frequent craving and distractions. It doesn’t help right away but it will definitely help in the long-run.



3. Appraise your tasks: how exciting or meaningful they are to you?
   
   We all have boring and dull tasks at times, but can we see the point of doing them? List three importances or aspirations next to the task you are avoiding. For example:
   
   
   
   1. It helps me to advance my career.
   
   
   2. I can win the trust of my business partners.
   
   
   3. I will feel powerful and capable. It makes me shine.
   
   The list goes on but most importantly is to enhance the value of doing, especially if you need a good reason to start.

If you are still not sure how to map it out, you can book a strategy call to sort out your next step forward.