3 Types of Procrastinators: Which One Are You?

The 3 types and 3 stories. Discover the hidden beliefs behind your procrastination habit. ⚔️

Procrastination is an achievement killer.

Katie's first book was a bestseller. Two years later, her fanbase had moved on to other authors. She never wrote the sequel.

Harold built a successful marketing agency. Then he abandoned it to play video games.

Roman got very lucky with his position, but got fired for missing deadlines.

What do these three have in common? They are all victims of procrastination, but not the kind you think.

Type 1: Scared of Failure

Core belief: "If I don't try, I can't fail."

You delay starting because as long as you haven't begun, you can still imagine perfect success. The moment you start, reality might not match your vision, and that terrifies you.

This type is a person who has had previous success and now sets themselves to standards so high they are scared of not living up to them.

How it shows up:

• Endless research and planning without execution.

• Starting multiple projects but finishing none.

• Perfectionism that prevents you from shipping anything.

• Constantly comparing yourself to others who are "further ahead".

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Katie is a chemistry student during the day and a fiction writer in the teen romance category at night. Her first book, “Werewolf Dates a Shy 4'8" Girl”, was an instant bestseller.

Instead of continuing the series, she waits for the perfect moment to write.

When she finally does, nothing feels right. She writes one page but deletes it immediately after. Her writing hasn't gotten worse—if anything, it's improved.

But she’s crushed by how well her first book was received.

Weeks turn into months, then years. Two years later, her fanbase has moved on to other authors.

Now she blames herself for chasing perfection instead of simply writing.

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You might publish a viral YouTube video and be paralyzed by the vision that the next one won’t repeat this success.

You might do well in school but struggle in the work environment.

The pattern is the same:

Initial success → stagnation → regret.

Your work will never be perfect. It will sometimes be very good. It will sometimes be mid. It will be good most of the time.

Type 2: Scared of Success

Core belief: "If I succeed, everything will change, and I might not be able to handle it."

This type is the opposite of the first one. This type is scared of success. Ridiculous?

Success feels dangerous because it means stepping into an unknown version of yourself. You procrastinate to stay in your familiar comfort zone, even if that zone is limiting.

How it shows up:

• Worrying that success will isolate you from friends and family.

• Self-sabotaging when you are close to a breakthrough.

• Fear of impostor syndrome if you achieve your goals.

• Downplaying your abilities and accomplishments.

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Harold is 34 and works as a plumber in a small town near Manchester.

Harold also has his own, small social media marketing agency that recently got some traction.

He’s been in this business for 4 years, but was treating it more like a side hustle than a real opportunity. Now that he got more clients that he can serve, he can raise prices and hire his first employee. He knows it very well, he knows what to do, but puts it away in time.

His day job as a plumber pays well but brings him little joy. His marketing agency, however, energizes him. He has tangible proof of his success and knows exactly what to do next. In his gut, he knows it will work.

But he's terrified of standing out. For his wife, it’s just a “stupid gig” for students. He fears outgrowing his social circle—long-time friends he meets at the pub every weekend, the comfortable life he's built.

Rather than face these fears, Harold decides to abandon his endeavor and dedicate more time to video games instead.

In a few years, Harold will try to revive his business, but as things have changed, he won’t find much success in it.

Harold regrets not acting on his momentum when every objection that seemed so terrifying now seems ridiculous.

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You might land your first big client, but then avoid investing in marketing to get more because "What if I can't handle the workload?"

You might get accepted to your dream graduate program but decline because "What if I don't belong there with all those smart people?”

The pattern is: