Postponer

A 'postponer' is an individual who habitually delays or puts off actions, decisions, or tasks. This characteristic is often driven by procrastination, fear of failure, perfectionism, or a lack of motivation. Postponers might consistently reschedule appointments, defer responsibilities, and generally avoid immediate engagement with required activities. Their tendency to delay can result in increased stress, missed deadlines, and negative consequences in various aspects of their life, from personal relationships to professional performance.

Postponer meaning with examples

• Sarah, a classic postponer, had been delaying starting her research paper for weeks. She kept finding excuses, claiming she needed more time to 'research' before she actually started writing. Each day she would look for more information, but as the deadline loomed, her stress increased. Eventually, she had to pull an all-nighter, the result of this chronic avoidance.
• The project manager recognized John as a postponer. John would agree to deadlines but consistently asked for extensions, citing unforeseen circumstances or lack of time. The team's workflow was repeatedly disrupted by John's delays, ultimately threatening the success of the entire initiative as deliverables could not be accomplished in the time allotted.
• Maria was a professional postponer; she always put off doctor's appointments and avoided confronting health issues until they became severe. This habit had her making appointments when in great pain and not going otherwise, leading to higher healthcare costs and greater risks to her well-being because of this procrastination.
• The new employee quickly learned that if anything required immediate response in the office, one must follow-up or the item would fall into the 'postponer's' hands. With no follow-up, emails sat unread and tasks assigned were never undertaken. This individual's tendency negatively affected productivity.