Procrastination vs. Perfectionism — Different Beasts, Same Paralysis - 136

Can't start the task, or can't stop redoing it? Both get called laziness, but they're driven by opposite fears — and treating them the same way is why so many fixes don't stick.

DrB breaks down the real difference between ADHD procrastination and ADHD perfectionism, how the two feed each other into one paralyzing loop, and the specific skills that interrupt each one.

Key Points Covered

• Why ADHD procrastination is a task-initiation and emotional avoidance issue, not a time management issue
• Why perfectionism in ADHD is often compensatory armor, not high ambition
• The key distinction: procrastination fears starting, perfectionism fears finishing
• How the two patterns feed each other into a self-reinforcing loop
• Four practical skills — shrinking the first step, defining "done" in advance, externalizing the start, and separating drafts from identity
  
  

Links Mentioned

drbarbaracohen.com — All episodes + show resources

It Was Never You Masterclass – More Than ADHD Coaching (FREE), September 22, 2026, 10 am – 2 pm pacific time + VIP hour:  https://itwasneveryoumasterclass.com/ 

Get Sh*t Done (GSD) Program Information – 9-month program
https://www.drbarbaracohen.com/gsdprogram

Grant assistance page for help with funding for GSD program:
https://www.drbarbaracohen.com/financial-assistance 

The Transformation Club (TTC) – if time or money commitments have been holding you back - the affordable membership program for Executive Function skills development:
https://www.drbarbaracohen.com/ttcprogram 

Free PDF - 13 Signs Weak Executive Functioning Is Holding You Back:
https://www.drbarbaracohen.com/Executive-Function 

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