
6 Not-So-Obvious Ways Procrastination Can Impact Your Ability To Move Forward

When it comes to our productivity, procrastination will always be our greatest adversary.
Most of us live busy lives, with goals and dreams that we work tirelessly to achieve, but when the sneaky presence of procrastination starts to creep in, it can have a significant impact on our efficiency, which lead to delays, missed deadlines, and feeling of dread.
While it’s often not our intention to put off important tasks and focus our attention on trivial tasks, when we reach mental blockages like fear or imposter syndrome, we can’t help but to fall into the trap of low performance and lack of motivation brought on by procrastination.
But what’s the reason for this? Procrastination is a complex subject and comes in many different forms. It’s generally defined as an involuntary delay of an intended action, despite being aware of the negative consequences associated with said delay. Beyond the many ways that procrastination can present itself in our day-to-day lives, it’s important to note that there’s much more happening underneath the surface.
While some may reduce procrastination down to laziness or the lack of discipline, it can be viewed through several frameworks that apply to different people in different manners. For example, the temporal motivation theory suggests that individuals weigh the costs and benefits of different tasks and allocate their time accordingly. This mental dilemma known as “opportunity cost” is procrastination showing up in how individuals prioritize short-term rewards like socializing and entertainment over long-term goals like studying, exercising, or seemingly mundane tasks.
On the flip side, the self-regulation model highlights the role of emotion regulation in procrastination. According to this model, individuals may procrastinate as a means of avoiding negative emotions related to anxiety and boredom that are typically associated with an activity. However, this can ultimately have an increased negative effect, resulting in lackluster performance and outcomes.
With research identifying several factors that contribute to procrastination, including individual differences like impulsivity and perfectionism, environmental factors from distractions or lack of structure, and task characteristics like the complexity or unpleasantness of a task, we can all see ourselves each category depending on our mood or the capacity of tasks or project. However, when we find ourselves facing the consequences of our procrastination, it can lead to even greater impacts on our mental health and well-being.
The loop of procrastination can be a difficult web to get untangled from. When we procrastinate, we often feel guilt, shame, or even anxiety about the work neglected, which can bring about unwanted stress and negative self-talk. We can sometimes attach our productivity to our self-worth and associate our value with our output. When these loops occur in our minds, it further exacerbates a decrease in our productivity, as we may become distracted or demotivated.
Overall, it's important to identify the reasons behind our procrastination and find ways to overcome it to achieve our goals and lead a fulfilling life. If you find yourself in the loop of procrastination, it’s important to identify the cause so you can get to the solution. That’s why we’ve curated a list of procrastination triggers and how to correct them.
Trigger: You find yourself doing unimportant tasks like scrolling social media instead of the important ones you need to be working on.
Try This: Try creating distance from your distractions and the tasks at hand. If you find it hard to stay focused on top responsibilities, it may be time to install a social media blocker app on your phone and set it for the duration you’d like to complete your work in. You might even want to try putting your phone in a different area than where you work so that it’s less easy to grab in between assignments.
Trigger: You feel overwhelmed or stressed about the work you need to do, but you can't seem to make progress on it.
Try This: When it comes to the duties that stress us out the most, it’s essential that we understand that we can only do what’s in front of us first. We don’t get to the next tasks until we finish the first one, so put less on your plate by giving yourself smaller portions and working your way through. Before you know it, you would have tackled your biggest tasks, bit by bit.
Trigger: You feel guilty or ashamed about your lack of productivity or progress on important tasks.
Try This: It’s time to give yourself some grace. Self-compassion goes a long way when you know that procrastination is less about you as a person and more about the stimulus that’s causing you to put the tasks off. When you begin to feel that negative self-talk begin to creep in, pause, and allow yourself a moment to collect your thoughts, grab a snack, take a walk, or simply breathe before you reapproach what’s at hand. Beating yourself up about procrastinating will only create more procrastination, so forgive yourself and move forward.
Trigger: You are often working on tasks at the last minute, which can lead to low quality work or mistakes.
Try This: Before you start your next tasks, it’s important to remember that it’s okay to approach them in small chunks. Oftentimes, we work on things at the last minute because it feels too big and overwhelming to take on. But if we are reminded to pace ourselves and not try to take everything at once, we can give ourselves the time necessary to present our best work.
Trigger: You find yourself easily distracted and unable to focus for long periods of time.
Try This: Time blocks are going to be your best friend here. By breaking down a larger task into smaller, manageable blocks of time, you can make it less intimidating and easier to start. By setting a clear structure and working in short bursts, you can overcome procrastination and make steady progress toward completing the task.
Trigger: You have a lot of unfinished tasks or projects that you keep putting off.
Try This: Sometimes we put certain tasks off because we may not have the capacity to complete them, or they might simply not be in our realm of expertise. In this case, it’s perfectly okay to ask for help. Delegating tasks and projects over people who are more skilled and have more time to complete them, can take them off our plate and allow us to execute our to-do lists in a timely and stress-free manner.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Xavier Lorenzo/Getty Images
Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
From '106 & Park' To Prime Time, Rocsi Diaz Is Still That Girl
Rocsi Diaz is no stranger to the camera. From her iconic run on 106 & Park to interviewing Hollywood heavyweights on Entertainment Tonight, she’s been at the center of culture for years. Now, she’s back in the hosting chair alongside none other than Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders for We Got Time Today, a fresh talk show exclusive to Tubi.
The show is exactly what you’d expect when you put a media pro and a sports legend together—a mix of real talk, unfiltered moments, and guest interviews that feel like family kickbacks. As the duo wraps up their first season, Rocsi sat down with xoNecole to talk about teaming up with Deion, the wildest moments on set, and why streaming platforms like Tubi are shaking up the talk show world.
Scoring the Gig & Clicking Instantly with Deion
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Essence
Deion Sanders had been dreaming of hosting a talk show, and when Tubi came calling, it was only right he made it happen. But before he found the perfect co-host, he held auditions with different women for the spot.
Lucky for us, Rocsi threw her hat in the ring, and the connection was instant. “You just can’t buy chemistry like we have,” she tells us. “We are legit like big brother, little sister—fighting, cracking jokes, telling each other off. When you watch the show, it’s like watching family.”
Mixing News, Culture & Sports—Minus the Snooze
With We Got Time Today, Rocsi and Deion cover everything from the latest headlines to celebrity tea and, of course, sports. But instead of stiff, rehearsed segments, the show keeps it loose and unpredictable.
“We’re not breaking the mold—it’s not rocket science,” Rocsi jokes. “We just bring our own flair, our authenticity, and our personalities to it. Deion has firsthand experience in sports, so when we talk about athletes, he brings a different perspective.”
And the best part? Unlike traditional talk shows that rush through quick interviews, We Got Time Today actually takes its time. “A lot of shows might give you one or two segments with a guest,” Rocsi says. “With us, we actually sit down and have real-life conversations.”
Her Top Guests (So Far!)
From music icons to relationship experts, the show has already had some unforgettable guests—but a few stand out for Rocsi.
“Ice Cube was our first guest, and he’s just legendary,” she says. “Kirk Franklin had us cracking up when he broke into a full choir freestyle for our Christmas special. And anytime we get Dr. Bryant on to put Deion in the hot seat? That’s my favorite!”
And of course, there’s Nick Cannon. “Nick was amazing,” she adds. “You already know he’s going to bring the energy and say something wild.”
Tag-Team Hosting with Deion: The Inside Scoop
While Deion Sanders is best known for his football greatness, Rocsi says he’s also one of the funniest people she’s ever worked with.
“He’s goofy—like, really goofy,” she laughs. “A lot of people didn’t know that side of him, but now they do. He can crack a joke, and if you’re too sensitive, good luck, because he will go in. But the best part? I throw it right back at him! Sometimes we just look at each other like, ‘Okay, that was a good one.’”
But beyond the laughs, she admires his insane work ethic. “Watching him juggle everything he does is just super admirable,” she says.
How "We Got Time Today" Brings That "106 & Park" Energy
Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images
For those wondering if We Got Time Today feels like 106 & Park 2.0, Rocsi says it’s a whole different vibe.
“The only comparison I’d make is that it’s a destination for the culture,” she explains. “It’s a platform where our people can come, feel safe, and have real conversations. But other than that, this is Deion’s world—we’re just having fun in it.”
The Talk Show Shake-Up: Why This Show Hits Different
Unlike traditional networks, We Got Time Today lives exclusively on Tubi, proving that streaming platforms are changing how we watch talk shows.
“Tubi is giving more people opportunities and making content more accessible,” Rocsi says. “Deion is a huge Tubi fan—he literally loves Black cinema—so it just made sense for him. And honestly? He’s got me watching it too!”
Real Ones Only: Women Holding Each Other Down
Rocsi credits her best friend, Chantelle, for always keeping her grounded. “She kept pouring into me, reminding me of who I am,” she shares. Even Deion Sanders makes sure to give her flowers, often calling her “the hostess with the most.”
In the industry, she’s built lasting bonds with women like Julissa Bermundez, Angie Martinez, and Angela Yee. “Julissa and I still kick it—her house is basically Sephora, so I just shop there,” she jokes. She also cherishes her friendships with Melyssa Ford and Robin Roberts, who have offered unwavering support. “Robin has always been there for me,” Rocsi says, reflecting on the wisdom she’s gained from the legendary journalist.
With the show’s first season wrapping up, Rocsi is grateful for the experience and excited for what’s next. “We’re having a good time, and the audience can feel that,” she says.
And if you haven’t tuned in yet? Well, Rocsi and Deion got time—so you might as well make some too.
Catch We Got Time Today now streaming on Tubi!
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Leon Bennett/Getty Images
'Dandy Land' Just Dropped & It’s a Celebration Of Black Style, Swagger, And Statement-Making
The first Monday in May is always a moment, but this year? It’s giving Blackity Black Black Black in the most intentional and celebratory way. On May 5, the MET Gala will unveil its latest exhibition titled Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, which is a tribute to Black dandyism and identity. The exhibition honors the power of clothing within the Black diaspora, spotlighting how style has long served as a tool for Black resistance, reinvention, and radical self-expression.
Centering designers of color and curated by scholar Monica L. Miller, the exhibition draws from her 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity and the enduring legacy of Black fashion and self-styling. As she explains, the Black dandy “reimagines the self in a different context” and challenges “who and what counts as human, even.”
- YouTubeyoutu.be
This year marks the Costume Institute’s first menswear-focused show in over 20 years and the first to exclusively highlight designers of color. The co-chairs for the 2025 Gala include Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky, Colman Domingo, and Lewis Hamilton, alongside honorary co-chair LeBron James.
To further build anticipation for the Gala, GQ and Voguecollaborated on a stunning fashion portfolio called Dandy Land, styled by image architect Law Roach and shot by Tyler Mitchell. The spread features over 30 Black trailblazers who embody the elegance and edge of Black dandyism.
In the words of Janelle Monáe:
“I consider myself a free-ass motherfucker. And when I’m in my suit, that is exactly how I feel… I feel like I am showing you a new way to think about clothing and to think about values and to think about what you stand for.”
Ayo Edebiri added:
“I’m half Nigerian. There’s nothing more dandy than an African man dressed to the nines, really showing out, going to a party or a wedding.”
Actress Danielle Deadwyler shared:
“Black dandyism is essentially a bucking of systems, a bucking of oppression, and saying we are inherently beautiful.”
And in the words of Dapper Dan, the Godfather of Harlem:
“The way I came into dandyism is through this process of transformation. I’m from the poorest neighborhood in Harlem, right by the banks of the Harlem River. Everybody in my little enclave was all poor. We had rats and roaches. Goodwill was our Macy’s. Whenever I was lucky and fortunate enough to have something to wear, I went to 125th Street. Nobody went there who wasn’t dressed. At 125th Street, nobody knew I had rats, nobody knew I had roaches, and that for me was the birth of dandyism because I saw the power of transformation that could take place with your clothes.”
To see the full Dandy Land editorial and explore the stories behind each image, check out the full spread on GQand get ready for the MET stairs to turn into a Black fashion masterclass next month.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images