Task paralysis and procrastination - why it's so hard to get sh*t done

31/08/2025 30 min
Task paralysis and procrastination - why it's so hard to get sh*t done

Listen "Task paralysis and procrastination - why it's so hard to get sh*t done"

Episode Synopsis


Five years of unpaid taxes. Homework handed in on the last day of an extension. Some people are champion procrastinators.Why? And what does task paralysis (sometimes called ADHD paralysis) have to do with it?Today: the personality traits that make you more prone to procrastination, the types of tasks we're most likely to put off, and what to do if your to-do list sends you into fight-or-flight mode.You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and presenter Sana Qadar, exploring the psychology of topics like stress, memory, communication and relationships on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.Guests:EvaHigh school studentDr Catherine HoulihanClinical psychologistSenior lecturer in clinical psychologyDirector of the UniSC Psychology ClinicUniversity of the Sunshine CoastCredits:Presenter/producer: Sana QadarProducer: Rose KerrSenior producer: James BullenSound engineer: Simon BranthwaiteMore information:The skills supercommunicators use, which you can learn tooOutwardly impressive, losing it on the inside? The cognitive distortions of a high achieverWhy do I procrastinate? And can I do anything about it?Fighting for focus in the age of distraction