Doctor of psychology Jenny Woo, CEO of Mind Brain Emotion, an organization developing emotional intelligence skills for children and families, states that procrastination often stems from feeling overwhelmed, not from laziness. When ample time is available, people tend to underestimate tasks or strive for perfection. However, as deadlines approach, the pressure compels the brain to set aside hesitation and act.

According to Sabrina Romanoff, a clinical psychologist at Yeshiva University (US), deadlines create clear timeframes linked to real consequences, thus becoming a strong motivator.

Approaching deadlines also make tasks more concrete in perception. Jenny Woo explains that when a deadline is far off, many perceive the task as abstract, so the brain does not prioritize it. Daryl Appleton calls this phenomenon "temporal discounting," which is the brain's tendency to devalue rewards or consequences when they are distant in the future.

Illustration: Pexels.

This shift relates to the Yerkes-Dodson law, a principle indicating that work performance increases proportionally with mental stress levels, but only up to a certain point. The pressure of tight deadlines activates the body's alarm response, releasing hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Increased adrenaline and dopamine help the brain narrow its focus, quickly identify important tasks, and bypass unnecessary steps.

However, the "last-minute productivity" method is not effective for everyone. Experts divide workers into two basic groups: "planners" and "pressure-seekers." Planners typically start early to reduce risks, and their brains release dopamine each time they cross an item off their to-do list. Conversely, pressure-seekers have less interest in steady progress and often await external signals to activate their drive to rush.

Time pressure is useful for short-term, less complex tasks, such as processing emails or data entry. However, it can easily backfire for tasks requiring creativity or teamwork. High stress levels narrow thinking, making it difficult to connect profound ideas.

Continuously relying on adrenaline to complete tasks at the last minute also keeps the nervous system in a state of tension, easily leading to burnout. If you frequently miss deadlines, it could be a sign that you are overwhelmed.

To overcome this, experts advise breaking down large goals into smaller, more manageable steps. Instead of waiting for the final deadline, set intermediate milestones. Additionally, working alongside colleagues or friends is an effective way to increase accountability and maintain focus.

Ngoc Ngan (According to Real Simple)