[Indefinite Hiatus] --- So Much Stranger, So Much Darker, So Muc

In the simplest terms, executive dysfunction is not being able to do something while procrastination is not being willing to do something. However, lets look further into executive dysfunction to see the differences. 

Executive function is a broad term that includes a wide range of brain functions. Some of the abilities controlled by executive function are:

• Planning and organisation
• Flexible thinking
• Monitoring performance
• Multi-tasking
• Solving unusual problems
• Self-awareness
• Learning rules
• Social behaviour
• Making decisions
• Motivation
• Initiating appropriate behaviour
• Inhibiting inappropriate behaviour
• Controlling emotions
• Concentrating and taking in information
• [source]

As you can see, executive dysfunction (ED) can have wide reaching effects and will affect each person differently. One of the most common areas that people with ED struggle is with initiating, organizing, and completing tasks. This can present in a variety of ways. 

Someone may know what they need to do but be unable to get started. For instance, Jane spills a cup of water. Jane knows that it needs to be cleaned up however she has no idea how to get started. To many this may seem like a simple task, but it actually requires several steps. 

1. Figure out what you have available to use to clean up the spill
2. Find whatever is being used
3. Return to the spill
4. Bend over
5. Wipe up the spill
6. Dispose of what was used to clean up

For tasks more complex than cleaning up a spill, there are even more steps and it can be even harder to figure out where to start. 

Similarly, someone may be able to get started but struggle to keep track of the next step in the activity. This can easily lead to becoming overwhelmed when trying to figure out what to do next which can result in not completing the task at hand. 

These aspects of ED can look an awful lot like procrastination, however the internal experience is very different. For someone with ED, they may want desperately to do something but be unable. Some have described it as feeling frozen or stuck. It can be immensely frustrating to want to accomplish something, especially something important, but be unable to start or continue it. 

Procrastination on the other hand is a more conscious choice. Procrastination is being able to do something but pushing it off until a later time. Typically, people procrastinate by pushing off undesirable tasks in favor of more enjoyable activities. 

Now, many people who have been told they procrastinate actually have ED due to autism, ADHD, or mental illness that has gone unrecognized or are unaware that ED is a part of their disorder. 

TLDR; Executive function is wanting to do something but not being able to while procrastination is pushing something off because you don’t want to do it. 

I hope this helps!