What do you do if you're struggling with procrastination and missing deadlines?

REBOOT Start from the beginning again and again when this happens. While being sure to most importantly STOP & BREATHE; Find focus (what needs done, why must you do this task, write the question(s) down, answer out loud as you write). Next put that mental jumble to paper ( a vision board, strategy board, step by step plan, even a list). Now baby-step each move (baby-step method can smother fear). A project, start-up, opening, can be daunting. Mentally we get so overwhelmed we psych ourselves out. So? Forget the big picture, Break it down work "slide" to "slide", daily, weekly, etc... each task to the goal. Quickly you will go from overwhelmed & challenged to accomplished, replenished, full of new ideas and fierce with determination.

First and foremost, if you find yourself continually struggling with procrastination and missing deadlines, it's crucial to pause and go inward. Reflect on the potential reasons behind your procrastination. Are there underlying fears or uncertainties holding you back? Sometimes, procrastination isn't just about poor time management; it can be a symptom of deeper issues such as fear of failure, perfectionism, or lack of interest in the tasks at hand.

Try breaking tasks into smaller steps. Set clear goals and removing distractions. Stay organized with to-do lists. Hold yourself accountable and reward your progress to stay motivated.

We procrastinate because we are stressed and either turn on fight/flight or freeze mode. Acknowledging that we were finding excuses and pushing things out until the last minute also includes being aware of our state of being. How do we feel, how does it show up, what might be the cause of feelings of stress? Then we can regulate our bodies accordingly to snap out of the funk.

Lorsque la procrastination frappe, prenez un moment pour respirer profondément et revenir à la base. Ce moment de pause est crucial pour clarifier votre esprit. Clarifiez vos objectifs : Posez vous les questions essentielles : Quelle est la tache à accomplir ? Pourquoi est-elle importante ? Notez les réponses et verbalisez les pour renforcer votre engagement. Transformez le désordre mental en un plan clair. Utilisez un tableau de vision ou un plan d'action étape par étape. Le simple fait de mettre vos pensées sur papier peut démystifier. Adoptez la méthode des petits pas pour éviter la peur et l'anxiété. Chaque petite action réalisée vous rapproche de votre objectif final et renforce votre confiance.

Procrastination can get the better of us and it's important to recognize when we are engaging in this behavior. Start by asking yourself, "what is my intention with this goal/project?" Is that answer aligned with your core values? If not, it's time to reconsider moving forward because perhaps this is not your best used time/energy. If it is in alignment and you are just overwhelmed, ask yourself "what can I do NOW that will help move the needle forward?" When that is done, ask yourself again "what can I do NOW that will help move the needle forward?" By asking yourself this question after each completed task, you will feel successful that you have made progress and you only have to focus on the next step.

One of my clients has labelled this lovingly "taking the next best step" and it helped her to focus on the next one thing she can do to improve her situation rather than feeling overwhelmed by the whole mountain that lays in front of her. Shifting perspectives either with zooming in or out, can help turn even the biggest endevours into manageable tasks AND noticing and acknowledging as we go what we have already accomplished will help to keep on going as we learn that we are indeed capable to do hard things.

Small tangible goals ranging from hourly to weekly. Being able to achieve more, smaller goals will feel more achievable than one larger goal.

I used to think that SMART goals were the only way to make progress and feel successful. I realized that this framework made me feel anxious and perfectionistic. Instead, I urge my clients to start each day with intentions. When you begin the day with an intention, you can then follow it up with "what is one small action I can take to myself toward that intention?". Take that action and BOOM... you feel successful. Then, success invites success... so you are likely to take a NEXT step that will move you toward your goals. Get clear one step at a time. Each step is one piece of the puzzle to move you toward the finish line.

In my experience coaching teams and leaders that struggle with prioritizing their time we discuss the Stephen Covey concept of Rocks and Sand so that they can begin to focus on their Big Rocks. All too often we set goals although they don't become a priority with all the day to day tasks and requests that compromise our time. Instead, identify your 3-5 Big Rocks that you need to pay attention to each week to be successful in your role. Quantify the time needed as well as align them with a purpose and result. Focusing on your priorities will give you the ability to simplify the process of where you spend your time so that you can make effective decisions that align with the results you aspire to achieve.

Accountability partners are so great when it comes to fighting off procrastination. It's also great to hire a coach to help hold you accountable. There are always going to be things we don't want to do. Or things we like doing but we have a hard time getting started. Have an accountability check in daily or weekly to find support on your journey. There is no shame in needing support and guidance to do the things you need to do. And the more you allow for others to help you with your accountability, the more motivated you are to do the things that make you limitless!

Reward progress with something that will boost your endorphins such as… walk in nature, dance, eat dark chocolate, listen to music etc.

First of all, acknowledge that I've been procrastinating, and then create achievable tasks, and change habits that are not important enough to give priority to. I reward myself with spending my free time on things that I love doing once my set tasks are done for the day.

Use time management techniques, Techniques like the Pomodoro Technique (working for a set amount of time and then taking a short break) or time blocking (allocating specific time periods for different tasks) can help improve focus and productivity.

In my experience, repeated issues with procrastination can often signify an underlying issue. Working with professionals to understand what other frameworks might be at play will be the key to productivity.

In my experience people who procrastinate often do so because the stress of having to get it done sends their adrenalin soaring and forces them to take action. And while this may seem like a good thing, it's actually a symptom of having a nervous system that's in overdrive and needs the stress to feel "normal". And over time, with too many deadlines, it can work against you and keep you from thinking clearly which will result in missed deadlines. All the goal setting, productivity hacks and time management techniques in the world won't be able to help until you get to the root of the reason your nervous system needs that extra stimulation to gear you into action. Once you've addressed the root cause, it gets easier to address the problem.

I have found that putting a ‘Do not disturb’ setting on your tech and gadgets also helps with procrastination. It help you keep focus.