According to author Piers Steel, about 95% of people admit to procrastinating, and 25% say it’s one of their chronic and defining characteristics.

As it relates to recruiting, most hiring managers jump into that 25% group when it’s time to make an uncomfortable call, write a personal email to a prospect, or do other proactive tasks necessary for recruiting success.

When discomfort is at its highest level, procrastination seems like a good idea.

Why?

According to researchers, it’s related to the underlying character trait of impulsiveness:

Showing self-control or delaying gratification is difficult for those who are impulsive.

They don’t have the ability to endure short-term pain for long-term gain.

Impulsiveness also determines how individuals respond to task anxiety.

For those who are less impulsive, anxiety is often an internal cue that gets them to start a project early.

But for those who are more impulsive, it’s a different story. Anxiety over a deadline will lead straight to procrastination.

If you find yourself suddenly morphing into being a procrastinator when it’s time to recruit, try moving upstream of the problem by addressing impulsiveness.

Unless the root cause of impulsiveness is addressed, the procrastination will continue.

P.S.  Are you going to Inman Connect in January?  If so, register now for the Real Estate Recruiting Mastery class being hosted by Recruiting Insight.