This explains why children, whose prefrontal cortex is still developing, often struggle more with procrastination. But even adults are affected by modern-day distractions. Whether it’s social media, gaming, or online shopping, these instant rewards frequently win out over the rational, long-term goals we set for ourselves.
The Power of Deadlines
Psychologist Piers Steel, from the University of Calgary, found that procrastination is often fueled by a few factors: lack of confidence in success, dislike of being assigned tasks, distractions, and the time gap between the task and its reward.