Are you the same?

@Dalyaa I'm perhaps the opposite. I do things way in advance and the mere existence of a deadline, no matter how far away, freaks me out. And then, I worry about missing something and so sometimes I don't finish until a deadline (like I won't send an email or whatever), no matter how early I started.

Without a clear deadline, I tend to procrastinate, though. It's hard to get things done. I try imposing deadlines on myself, but those usually don't have the same effect as external ones. I'm an endless work in progress.

But I know you aren't alone. When I started college, a very, very long time ago, I remember a presentation at orientation that may help here. Some people aren't procrastinating when they come up on a deadline before they start. Sometimes, people need pressure to do the work. If this is you, you shouldn't feel guilty or beat yourself up about it. Instead, you can do your best work by recognizing that this is your working style and working with it. So if you need the pressure to do things, don't agonize over why you aren't getting started. Just accept it and enjoy the time before the pressure builds.

I wish you well in managing stress! It's hard.

i a m the same way and i can understand your situation. everyone of these tasks make you so much anxious and stressed that it is impossible to begin. for a task to be worked on it needs to be doable, not too hard that you can't even start, neither too easy that you are not motivated enough to start. i suggest you to divide each task in doable further segments and focus only on that no matter what your mind tells you and it is easier said then done so do not worry. with time you'll get better.

@Dalyaa

Some people seem to like or enjoy the stress of a deadline it seems like a high...

my partner seems unable to do a task until last minute.  I hate it i would rather get something done sooner. This behavior worked........ out for him when younger about 90 percent of time now his percentage is way lower and I see where it cost him money and effort to make something happen last minute.    I have not been able to convince him after many years  and lost money ( late fees/ or last minute purchases to solve something)  and such ... i think people are just wired this way that they do not face tasks unless the clock is winding down on a deadline. 

Do you get any joy or pride in just making it in time?     most things we do is for a reason. 

@Dalyaa I like to break things down into small and manageable chunks, so I dont feel overwhelmed, don't leave it all to the last minute and it builds up my confidence when I complete each separate section 🥰