Harvesting Happiness Podcasts

Procrastination: Skills to Overcome Fear of Failure and Anxiety

Harvesting Happiness Podcasts

Show Notes

Do you have a chronic procrastinator in your life that just can’t seem to finish their task list? It’s easy to write it off as pure laziness or a lack of drive, but procrastination isn’t a time-management problem. At its core, the fear of failure and discomfort triggers a deep sense of shame, causing people to hit the brakes before they even start. To move past the cycle, we have to understand what is driving the behavior.

In this productivity and mental health podcast, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen interviews Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona, a psychologist, author, coach, and TEDX speaker, about key ‘how to stop procrastinating’ skills.

In Dr. Z’s book, “Acceptance and Commitment Skills for Perfectionism and High-Achieving Behaviors”, she lifts the veil of procrastination, demonstrating that it is not laziness but the fear of failure that inhibits people from completing tasks.

Like what you're hearing?

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on https://harvestinghappiness.substack.com/ and https://medium.com/@HarvestingHappiness.

More from Harvesting Happiness Podcasts

Oct 21, 2026

The growing alignment between conservative politics and traditional religion has alienated younger Democrats and Independents, leading many to abandon faith-based activism. This retreat begs the question: can religious leaders still mobilize to address racial inequality, or have structural forces like gerrymandering permanently entrenched these divisions?

Oct 14, 2026

The burgeoning neuroscience of meditation validates soul-centered psychology by revealing tangible, measurable changes in brain structure and stress regulation. Clinical investigations into mind-body medicine for anxiety demonstrate how integrative psychiatry successfully merges conventional treatments with holistic care to alleviate psychological distress and cognitive impairment.

Oct 7, 2026

Democracy is imperfect because ‘we the people’ are imperfect. Yet through collaborative bargaining, compromise, and a willingness to govern ourselves, we can spark democratic renewal and press forward in our pursuit of happiness. Because our politics and personal well-being are deeply intertwined, healing our civic foundations and institutions can help us build a future free of authoritarian rule.

Sep 30, 2026

Younger generations carry the burden of economic instability, often finding the milestones of homeownership and secure retirement slipping further out of reach than they were for their grandparents. As traditional social safety nets fray, many people are left navigating a profound sense of anxiety and social disconnection. This raises the question: Why do financial elites continue to achieve overwhelming success at the ballot box? How does the media manipulate voters to support outcomes that ultimately undermine their own well-being and psychological safety?

Sep 24, 2026

Growing up, very few of us had kitchen table conversations about how vulnerability builds intimacy. Instead, most of us were handed a survival guide that taught us to "never let them see you sweat" and to "be strong." As a result, walking into adult relationships and talking intimately about our attachment styles and desires can be terrifying. Yet, finding the courage to share our true desires—free from shame or fear—transforms not just our sex lives, but deepens the connection with our partners and ourselves.

See all episodes →