Kamen works as a lifestyle management consultant who explores the art and science of happiness as a speaker, author, and positive psychology expert. Through her globally syndicated podcast, books, media appearances, and documentary film, Lisa has impacted millions of people around the world.

LISA CYPERS KAMEN

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Procrastination: Skills to Overcome Fear of Failure and Anxiety

Do you have a chronic procrastinator in your life who 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 trigger 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.

Original Air Date Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Tune in:

Meet Our Guest:

Patricia Zurita Ona, also known as “Doctor Z,” is a psychologist licensed in California. She has authored 6 books, conducted workshops at national and international conferences, and runs a boutique coaching/therapy practice specializing in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for anxiety-based struggles.

A key component of Doctor Z’s work centers around “How can we get unstuck from worries, fears, anxieties, perfectionism, procrastination, and any other form of fear-based reactions so we can live a meaningful, fulfilling, and purposeful life?”

In 2019, Doctor Z was nominated as a Fellow of the Association of Contextual Behavioral Sciences (ACBS) for my contributions to the dissemination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy skills for particular unworkable behavioral patterns.

Book: Acceptance and Commitment Skills for Perfectionism and High-Achieving Behaviors: Do Things Your Way, Be Yourself, and Live a Purposeful Life

Patricia Zurita Ona—Is Procrastination a Fear of Failure?:

Procrastination is not laziness. {2:59}
How the fear of failure plays a part in procrastination and perfectionism. {5:12}
The four psychological processes at the core of procrastination or perfectionist behaviors. {12:56}
Misconceptions about procrastination and motivation. {18:52}
How to complete a long to-do list. {22:58}
How to feel good about outsourcing tasks. {29:18}

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Check out the Harvesting Happiness podcast episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

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Shareables:

“Once one recognizes it is a wiring issue and not a laziness issue, there is a little bit more generosity, but it still doesn't solve the problem.” @LisaKamen on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “A person dealing with procrastinating behaviors doesn't know how to manage the discomfort associated with initiating a task or a project.” @dr.z.passionatebehaviorist on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “Behind procrastinating behaviors and perfectionistic behaviors, they are both driven by the fear of failure.” @dr.z.passionatebehaviorist on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “You can not practice self-compassion without acknowledging that you are hurting.” @dr.z.passionatebehaviorist on @HHTalkRadio Share on X

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