Procrastinator will get to it later

Dear Amy: I love my job and career.

My manager is flexible and kind, my coworkers are helpful and fun to work with and the work is challenging and enjoyable.

But, when faced with tasks, I somehow lack the motivation to finish them until the very last second. This has been a problem in a lot of areas of my life. I don’t have ADHD or depression, but I do have some anxiety, and I don’t know if it is related.

Sometimes, my brain is screaming, “Shut that browser window and do the thing they’re paying you to do!” but then I watch myself NOT do that.

Is this uncommon? I don’t want to sabotage my life or career. The work does get done, but in the moments where I should be doing it, instead I’m cruising around online, sending emails, doing unrelated research — anything but the thing itself. — Happy But Unmotivated

Dear Unmotivated:

I’ll skip over my mini-lecture about “time theft” at your workplace, and get right to what I think is going on.

I suspect that your issue is not actually motivation, but procrastination. And yes, your anxiety is both a source and a product of your procrastination.

Here are my personal tips: Start each day by making your bed (!), followed by a bit of outdoor exercise.

Casually break down your day and your larger tasks into a list of small reminders When a task is completed, fill in the open space with the red pen.

Set yourself a loose timeline of things to do before noon, and things to do by 5 p.m., and make sure to include tasks that you enjoy.

Set up a reward system.

Set aside 30 minutes every Sunday to open your work at home and at least look at it. This will help you to kick off your week with less angst.