What The Spongebob Procrastination Episode Can Teach Us

As one of the most popular children’s television programs of all time, Nickelodeon’s Spongebob SquarePants has several episodes that have resonated with audiences worldwide. One such example is the episode “Procrastination,” which features a storyline focused on the experience and consequences related to putting off important tasks. While it may look like a silly representation of a real-life struggle, this Spongebob SquarePants episode may have much to teach us, no matter your age. 

The synopsis

At the beginning of the episode, Spongebob gets an assignment in boating school to write an 800-word report on what not to do at a stoplight. Eager to get started, Spongebob returns home after class and sits down to begin his work. But, after gathering his materials and perfecting his workspace, he finds he has yet to decide what to write or where to start.

This realization begins to impact Spongebob’s ability to focus. His mind begins to wander, and distractions occupy his attention as he struggles to produce the kind of work he wants. 

Under the guise of creating the right “mood” for writing, Spongebob does everything but write his paper: cleaning up eraser shavings, taking a snack break, and polishing the kitchen steal hours of his time away right before his eyes. Suddenly, the afternoon has become evening, and Spongebob’s stress levels begin to rise.

Feeling overwhelmed, he calls his best friend, Patrick, for a chat. But Patrick knows Spongebob is using their conversation to escape writing his essay, a point Spongebob denies despite his mounting anxiety.

At this point, it’s clear that Spongebob is more focused on the worry accompanying his assignment than the essay itself. As the night continues, Spongebob falls asleep at his workstation without realizing it and is haunted by nightmares riddled with stress and fear related to finishing the assignment. 

The next morning arrives, and Spongebob wakes to realize his class begins in five minutes. His essay, on the other hand, remains almost untouched. In a frenzy, he realizes all the activities he used to avoid his work are all great examples of things not to do at a stoplight. Inspiration flows from his pencil like lightning, and he completes his essay in the nick of time.

Upon arriving at class, Spongebob is met with an empty classroom. His teacher, Mrs. Puff, stops by and tells him she had tried to contact him to notify him that class and the assignment had been canceled. Due to a teaching convention, she says, the class will be taking a field trip to a stoplight instead. However, he had missed her attempts to reach him in his panicked and distracted state.

Why does this matter?

While the events portrayed in this episode of Spongebob SquarePants are, of course, fictional, they are very relatable to many who experience procrastination. The stages of the behavior, ranging from struggling to get started to finishing things at the last minute, are showcased in a funny and lighthearted way. The realities of procrastination, though, are often anything but. 

The psychology of procrastination

Spongebob’s confidence at the beginning of the episode is similar to what many people might experience before a period of procrastination; when it becomes clear something may be challenging, stress-inducing, or time-consuming, our belief about how doable it is may falter.

This can lead to feelings of panic, fear, or anxiety, all of which can motivate us to do anything but the task in question. As the deadline creeps closer and closer, these feelings can mount and exacerbate the situation.

Procrastination may be tied to low self-esteem, as it often appears in response to a lack of confidence in your ability to perform well or manage the task at hand. Other factors, like challenges with organizational skills, having a difficult time asking for help, or perfectionism, may also come into play. 

The intense burst of emotion that can appear right before something is due might be the only thing capable of pushing you to overcome these obstacles. Alternatively, you might need more time to complete the task or not complete it at all, which may come with consequences of its own. 

Procrastination can be a sort of self-sabotaging behavior, but it doesn’t mean you’re a “lazy person” or unable to get things done. Instead, it may come from a deeper feeling of being incapable or inadequate.

What to learn from this 

The significant lesson we may learn from this episode is to try our best to avoid procrastination. Understanding why we tend to procrastinate can be the first step toward changing this habit. 

Below are a few things to consider to help you begin to answer this question for yourself:

• When you procrastinate: are certain types of tasks (i.e., projects at school, scheduling appointments, etc.) more likely to cause the behavior than others?
• How do you feel at each stage of procrastination?
• What steps do you take, if any, to try to avoid procrastination?
• What sort of tasks are you able to complete easily and quickly?
• Which factors relate to the way you view yourself and your ability to get things done?

For many, procrastination can create a response in the brain similar to being in “fight or flight” mode. Tasks can feel so daunting that they seem like a threat to our well-being, which may lead us to avoid them when we know doing so may be equally harmful.

When you begin to understand what sort of things tend to lead to procrastination and the underlying psychology behind the behavior, it may be easier to determine what you can do to make things easier. Suppose essays tend to be challenging, for example, but you do fine when it’s time to study for exams. In that case, you may have an underlying insecurity about your writing skills impacting how your brain responds to the situation.

Learn to understand and combat procrastination

However, it can be possible to learn how to spot the signs of procrastination and find solutions to help you work through it. Left unaddressed, the tendency to procrastinate may begin to impact various areas of life, including work, school, relationships, and your personal health and well-being.

If you find yourself procrastinating often, it may be worth speaking to a mental health professional about what’s going on beneath the surface. The anxiety and stress you may experience alongside procrastination can be damaging to your self-esteem and self-confidence, which might make things worse.

Treatment options like online therapy may be one of the best ways to start finding a solution that may work for you. Many people find seeking help to be overwhelming or scary, but the distance an online platform can create can make it easier to confide in a professional. Plus, the ability to control the environment you’re in during sessions might provide an additional layer of comfort.

A recent review of over a dozen studies found online therapy options are more cost-effective for most clients than in-person therapy. This may represent fewer obstacles between you and receiving the support you might be looking for.