8 Reasons We Procrastinate - and How to Stop - NOW!

Procrastination is a behavior that can wreak havoc on any aspect of our lives.?Understandably we procrastinate about things we don't want to do like decluttering our homes or making dental appointments.

Surprisingly though, procrastination also gets in the way of our achieving things that we really?do want?- like applying for our dream job, expanding our business to make it more profitable, or seeking a new relationship.??

Ultimately, we must address the thing we are procrastinating about to move forward. Do it or abandon it - but we must deal with it.?Read on for 8 reasons we procrastinate, and strategies for moving forward.

REASON #1: OVERWHELM

The job seems so big that you don't even know how to start. You go into avoidance/denial mode and put it to the side instead of getting it done. Or you delay the task and justify with something like:?"It's too big to tackle right now, I'll do it on the weekend when I have more time."

Solution:?

Q/ How do you eat an elephant? A/ One bite at a time.?

You need to create some success momentum. Break the monster task down into smaller, doable steps. When you've accomplished a bite sized task, you will gain both the confidence and drive to move on to the next. If the task seems so big that even getting started is hard then set a designated time slot in the day to work on the task with a time limit of say 30 minutes. When the time is up, you are done for the day. As they say, "beginning is half done."?

REASON #2:?NO CLEAR PATH

You don't have a plan. You have a bunch of stuff to do, but no clear path or direction for doing it. You haven't yet prioritized what is important so aren't certain what the next step is... so you check Facebook... again. An hour goes by.

Solution:??

Get clear and focused. Make a To Do list, prioritize it by deciding what on your list is Critical, a “Like to Do,” or could be Deferred). ?Estimate the time required to complete each item.? If the amount of time you need to complete your list adds up to more than a human lifetime, you will have to accept the fact that you are mortal and make some hard choices about what is most important to you.?

REASON #3: UNDEFINED TASKS?

Your task list is?undefined and contains things like "read more books" or "take better care of myself" so no immediate action is apparent or obvious. Other than a vague desire to get something done or make a change you haven't clarified it enough to successfully take action.

Solution:?Add specifics. A plan has measurables. Add some numbers and dates. E.g. / How many books do you want to read, by when? Or - What does taking better care of yourself mean? (Eating more vegetables.) Ok, how many per day? Starting when?

REASON #4: FEAR OF THE UNPLEASANT

Perhaps you have a fear or worry that a task will be unpleasant or uncomfortable. Maybe you have to make a phone call to talk about something sensitive and you are not sure what the reaction might be, or perhaps you need to give some feedback to an employee, or deal with an email that is contentious.?You have awfulized the task, procrastinated?and that has paralyzed you.

Solution:??

Your negative reasons for delaying action may be imaginary. How will you find out if you don't act? Lack of communication often turns molehills into mountains and your delay could actually be exacerbating the problem.?

If you fear the consequences associated with the action you've been avoiding, ask yourself, "What's the worst thing that could happen if I did this today?" The worst-case scenario most likely would be a minor inconvenience or temporary setback (compared to the dire consequences we imagine). Is tackling that unpleasant task a better option than the worst-case scenario? Weigh your actions accordingly.??

REASON #5:?FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN

Sometimes procrastination comes from a fear that if you act, things WILL change. You are perhaps uncertain if that change will be a good or a bad choice. You may be stretched past your comfort zone. So, you put off the change....

Solution:?Reconnect with your vision and your reason for wanting to do that thing in the first place. How important is this to you? If you never do it or attempt to do it how you will feel lying on your deathbed? Let that connection to your bigger picture give you courage.

REASON #6:?PERFECTIONISM

Procrastination can rise up with something really important that you want to do perfectly. Maybe you say: "I need more time to do it right so I won't even start it" or "I don't have?all?of the information gathered yet so I can't write the report" etc.??

Solution:?It is important to let go of the overwhelming pressure of “perfecto". What counts is quality of effort - not perfect results. Don't let yourself get bogged down with a preoccupation with perfectionism or use that as an excuse to procrastinate.?Imperfect action is better than Perfect Inaction.

REASON #7: BRIGHT, SHINY OBJECT SYNDROME

Getting distracted or sidelined?by other (more enjoyable) activities...yes, that’s the bright, shiny object syndrome. You aren't really consciously or intentionally procrastinating; you just get caught up with other things and suddenly whoosh the day is gone.??

Solution:?Focus on the benefits of getting the job done. Visualize yourself having completed your goal and imagine the sense of accomplishment you will feel. Reward yourself after you get it done. Decide on your reward in advance to give you incentive for action.?

REASON #8: YOU SIMPLY DON'T WANT TO DO IT

Ok, let's be real here - Sometimes we procrastinate because?it’s something that we really just don't want to do.

Solution:?Decide if that "to do" thing is important or necessary. If it is important, can someone else do it or help you with it? If so, ask them. If it is a necessary task that only you can do, you are going to have to employ one of the other strategies. Parcel it down. etc. Reward yourself when it's done. ?If it is neither important nor necessary, scratch it off your list. For good.?

?In conclusion:

Yes, there?are?times when procrastination is helpful.??There are times when not acting immediately is the best course of action.??When you don't have enough information to make the optimal decision, when your emotions or someone else's are flaring, or when something feels uncertain in your gut, it may signal that it's time to take a step back and wait.??

?The rest of the time??Hold to your vision and move toward it, one step at a time.?

“Do the thing and you’ll have the power.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

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