Am I the only one who obsesses over a looming deadline without acting?

Many people find themselves caught in a cycle of thinking about a deadline extensively without actually starting the work. This common experience often stems from a mix of perfectionism, fear of failure, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the task ahead. It's a frustrating loop where mental energy is spent, but no tangible progress is made, leaving individuals feeling stuck.

Research from the University of Calgary suggests that approximately 85-95% of college students engage in some form of procrastination, often involving extensive rumination without action.

See other perspectives

Does everyone obsess over a looming deadline without acting?

Does Everyone?

Is it normal to obsess over a looming deadline without acting?

Is It Normal?

Is it weird to obsess over a looming deadline without actually starting the work?

Is It Weird?

Why do I obsess over a looming deadline without acting?

Why Do I?

Real stories from the community

And my dissertation is due in three weeks. …

procrastination shame

I know my parents would just die if they saw the pile of tax papers on my desk and I haven't even touched them in months and I walk past it every day and it just sits there.

procrastination shame

The crickets outside are going absolutely bonkers, probably because it's gonna be another scorcher tomorrow, and all I can think about is this annual review cycle kicking off. …

procrastination shame

I’ve been staring at that little blue folder for three months now, that dissertation file, and every time Professor Chen sends a polite little ping about my progress, a wave of pre-emptive somatic… …

procrastination shame

Anyone else get this physical dread in their stomach when annual reviews start, knowing you have to finally talk to someone you've been avoiding for like, months, about how they're just... …

procrastination shame

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I keep thinking about work but not starting?▾
Often, this happens due to a fear of not meeting expectations, a desire for the outcome to be perfect, or feeling uncertain about where to begin. The sheer size of a task can also make it hard to initiate.
What's the difference between planning and obsessing?▾
Planning involves concrete steps and an action-oriented mindset, even if the actions are small. Obsessing, on the other hand, is a repetitive mental loop about the deadline or task without any movement towards completion. It's more about worry than preparation.
How can I stop just thinking and start doing?▾
Try breaking down the task into very small, manageable steps. Focus on just the first tiny action you can take, rather than the entire project. Sometimes, simply starting with a five-minute burst of work can break the mental block.

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