11 Apr How Coaching Help Adults with Procrastination
PROCRASTINATION HELP, PLAYLISTS & PROGRESS:
How Music and Coaching Help Adults Get Unstuck

You finally sit down to work, full of good intentions… and then suddenly it’s 2 p.m., and you’re reorganizing your junk drawer, scrolling through procrastination memes, or researching which houseplants are hardest to kill.
Sound familiar?
Procrastination is a thief of time—but what if it’s actually trying to tell you something?
Whether you’re a remote worker struggling to stay focused, a parent putting off home tasks after a long day at work, or a young professional delaying that job search—procrastination is more common (and more complicated) than we realize.
🧠 What Is Procrastination, Really?
By definition, procrastination is the voluntary delay of an intended task, despite expecting negative consequences. But it’s not just poor time management—most researchers now agree that procrastination is an emotion regulation issue.
It’s the brain’s way of avoiding discomfort—like fear, perfectionism, or overwhelm. Sometimes it’s simply easier to scroll or snooze than face the thing that feels hard.
Procrastination synonyms include avoidance, delay, distraction, and deferral—but no matter the name, the result is the same: stress, guilt, and stagnation. In fact, chronic procrastination often stems from poor executive functioning—difficulties with planning, concentration, impulse control, and time estimation. Individuals may avoid tasks due to anxiety, perfectionism, or fear of failure, unknowingly reinforcing negative emotional patterns that keep them stuck.
📊 Procrastination by the Numbers
Check out these real-world procrastination statistics:
- 88% of employees admit they procrastinate at least one hour a day
- 20% of adults are chronic procrastinators
- Remote workers are 2–3x more likely to struggle due to lack of structure
- Job seekers who procrastinate report lower confidence and fewer interviews
- Parents are especially vulnerable due to mental load and decision fatigue
These numbers reflect a real and growing procrastination problem—one that deserves solutions rooted in science and compassion.
Procrastination by the Numbers PDF here.
🔍 What Kind of Procrastinator Are You?
- The Avoider – delays out of fear of failure or rejection
- The Optimist – believes there’s always more time
- The Perfectionist – won’t start unless it can be done perfectly
- The Busy Bee – stays busy but avoids meaningful priorities
- The Dreamer – waits for the perfect time or mood
There are several types of procrastination, and understanding yours can help you break the cycle:
Want to learn more? Take a procrastination test to identify your type and explore next steps.
🎵 The Power of Music: Motivation Meets Neuroscience
Music doesn’t just sound good—it changes your brain.
According to a landmark study by Salimpoor et al. (2013), listening to music we love activates the brain’s reward system and releases dopamine—the same neurotransmitter tied to motivation and momentum.
Salimpoor, V. N., Zald, D. H., Zatorre, R. J., Dagher, A., & McIntosh, A. R. (2013). Predictions and the brain: How musical sounds become rewarding. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 17(2), 92–100. Available via PubMed Central
That’s why we’re teaming up with Happy Apple NYC, specializing in treating individuals in NYC with anxiety, depression, and trauma, and providing couples counseling, offering both in-person and online sessions for individuals aged 10 and older. Also, our partner with CAB-NYC is an interdisciplinary networking group and directory dedicated to fostering business development, social connections, and enjoyment among mental health and allied professionals in New York City. Together, we have a curated playlist that boosts focus and reduces avoidance.
🌀 Breaking the Procrastination Cycle
If you feel stuck, you’re not alone. Procrastination often coexists with:
- Low self-worth
- Procrastination and OCD tendencies
- Procrastination laziness myths (you’re not lazy—you’re blocked)
- Fear of mistakes or being judged
Procrastination isn’t fixed with a productivity hack—it’s improved by creating systems that feel doable, addressing underlying thoughts, and celebrating small wins.
Ready to break the cycle?
Discover how executive function coaching at Themba Tutors can help you turn procrastination into progress.
👉 Schedule your free consultation today.
💬 Procrastination Help: Coaching That Cuts Through the Clutter
For adults caught in the procrastination-depression loop, music helps—but structure helps more. That’s where executive function coaching comes in.
At Themba Tutors, we work with:
- Remote professionals who can’t get started
- Parents who are burned out and overwhelmed
- Young adults stuck in job-search procrastination
- Adults with ADHD or anxiety who experience procrastination as a trauma response
Our coaching model supports emotional regulation, time management, and habit-building—so you can finally take action on what matters most.
Dr. Elizabeth Zharovsky, MD
Playlist:
- Music Is Better – RÜFÜS DU SO
- Get Up, Stand Up – Bob Marley & The Wailers
- I Am Free – Coco & Breezy
- Gettin Up- Q-Tip
- Award Tour- Tribe Called Quest
- Snow (Hey Oh) Red Hot Chili Peppers
Missy Fogarty, MA, MT-BC, LCAT
Playlist:
- Shake It Off – Taylor Swift
- You Gotta Be – Des’ree
- Three Little Birds – Bob Marley & The Wailers
Elaine Oswald, LCAT, ATR-BC, CCEP
Playlist:
- Thursday Afternoon – Brian Eno
- Pressure Drop – Toots and the Maytals
- Funky Kingston (entire album) – Toots and the Maytals
- Pulsewidth – Aphex Twin
Heidi Cox, PhD, PMH-C
Playlist:
- This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) – Talking Heads
- Dancing on My Own – Robyn
- I Won’t Back Down – Tom Petty
- Murder on the Dancefloor – Sophie Ellis-Bextor
John Carlson, LCSW-R
Playlist:
- Ready to Go – Republica
- Mama Said Knock You Out – LL Cool J
- We Will Rock You – Queen
Aviva Kamander, LCSW, MCLC
Playlist:
- Beautiful Day – U2
- Lose Yourself – Eminem
- Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
- Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
- Tubthumping – Chumbawamba
Dr. Barbara Distler, Psy.D.
Playlist:
- September – Earth, Wind & Fire
- I’m Still Standing – Elton John
- Don’t Worry Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin
- T’ain’t What You Do (It’s the Way That You Do It) – Ella Fitzgerald
Maggie C. Vaughan, MFT, Ph.D.
Playlist:
- Baby – Summer Walker
- Masterpiece – Sault
- Hypnosis – Raveena
Ari E. Fox, LCSW-R
Playlist:
- Here Comes the Sun – Richie Havens
- Dig a Hole – Ghost Light
- Goin’ Down the Road Feelin’ Bad – Grateful Dead
- Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel
Jessica Aronson, LCSW-R, CEDS-C, CGP, ACSW
Playlist:
- Love the Way You Lie – Eminem ft. Rihanna
- Brave – Sara Bareilles
- Just the Way You Are – Bruno Mars
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Craig Selinger
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