From Procrastination to Productivity The Hidden key to Success for Accountants

We’ve all been there: staring at a looming deadline, knowing what needs to be done yet somehow finding ourselves scrolling through emails, reorganising our desktops, or researching topics that are only tangentially related to the task at hand. Procrastination isn’t just an annoying habit; for many professionals, it’s a source of stress, anxiety, and missed opportunities. We know better, and yet, we procrastinate anyway. Why?

It turns out that procrastination isn’t a sign of laziness or a lack of ambition. According to research from psychologists and neuroscientists, procrastination is often more about managing emotions than managing time. When we understand the “why” behind procrastination, we can start to break down the barriers that hold us back—and even begin to use our time in ways that align with our values, goals, and passions. So, let’s explore why we procrastinate, how it affects us, and what we can do to overcome it.

The Emotional Roots of Procrastination

Most of us have been conditioned to think that procrastination is about poor time management or a weak work ethic. But in reality, it’s often a coping mechanism for handling negative emotions—stress, self-doubt, fear of failure, or even perfectionism. This insight is backed by studies that show procrastination is deeply tied to our emotional regulation skills.

In a 2013 study from the University of Calgary, researchers found that procrastination is linked to how people regulate their emotions and manage stress. When faced with an uncomfortable task, we may subconsciously avoid it to escape the stress or anxiety it triggers. In the short term, it feels good to avoid these emotions, but in the long term, this pattern can lead to chronic procrastination. This can undermine our productivity and well-being, and over time become a habit that protects us from what the primitive mind believes is threatening us.

Take Jack, a high-achieving marketing manager at a tech firm. Jack often found himself delaying projects he knew would take significant effort. He described his tendency to “get sucked into busywork” whenever he needed to complete a major presentation or plan a high-stakes campaign. For Jack, the idea of crafting a presentation that matched his high standards felt daunting. By putting it off, he was momentarily freed from the anxiety of doing the task imperfectly. Unfortunately, the last-minute rush often forced him to present something he wasn’t proud of—perpetuating his fear of failure.

The Impact on Your Professional Life

Procrastination doesn’t just affect our ability to hit deadlines; it can also impact our reputation, our career growth, and our mental health. For high-performing professionals, procrastination often results in an intense burst of work just before the deadline. This can lead to high stress, a lack of sleep, and subpar performance. And while some people may claim to “work best under pressure,” studies show that last-minute work is often less creative, more error-prone, and more stressful than work completed with time to refine and polish.

Let me tell you the story of Sarah, a lawyer who often put off drafting client reports until the night before they were due. She’d tell herself she was “too busy” to start earlier, but in reality, she was avoiding the task because she was afraid her work wouldn’t meet her clients' expectations. This avoidance led to countless all-nighters, a spike in her stress levels, and eventually, a warning from her colleagues. Sarah’s procrastination didn’t just affect her work quality—it also took a toll on her mental health and her professional relationships. She realised as we talked that, despite her hard work, her reputation was being shaped more by her last-minute rushes than by the quality of her insights.

The Science of “Why” We Procrastinate

So, if procrastination isn’t about laziness, what’s really happening in our minds? Neuroscientists explain that procrastination is a battle between our limbic system (which drives immediate, often emotional responses) and our prefrontal cortex (which governs rational decision-making and long-term planning). The limbic system prioritises immediate rewards and safety —like checking social media or doing something that gives a quick dopamine hit—over the delayed gratification of completing a long-term task. This is especially true when the task feels difficult or unpleasant.

Psychologist Piers Steel, author of The Procrastination Equation, explains that procrastination is influenced by three factors: our desire for immediate rewards, our aversion to unpleasant tasks, and our overall confidence that we can successfully complete a task. Steel’s research indicates that people who struggle with self-doubt or who place high expectations on themselves are more likely to procrastinate because they feel overwhelmed by the idea of producing something that meets their standards.

Another study conducted at the University of Sheffield, participants who were asked to complete tasks that they found emotionally unpleasant were more likely to delay starting or finishing these tasks. Procrastination, then, becomes a coping strategy—a way to avoid the emotions tied to the task, whether that’s boredom, anxiety, or the fear of not doing it perfectly.

Breaking the Cycle: Strategies for Professionals

If you’re like Jack or Sarah—constantly caught in the cycle of procrastination and last-minute work—know that you’re not alone. AND it is a completely normal response you have learned. There are proven strategies for managing procrastination, grounded in both behavioural science and real-world practice. Here are some of the most effective ones to consider:

1. Break Tasks into Smaller, Manageable Steps

This is the simplest of solutions. When tasks feel overwhelming, break them down into smaller steps. Start with something easy, like creating an outline or setting up your workspace. Each small task completed provides a sense of accomplishment, making the next step feel more manageable.Ask yourself what do you need right now? Who can help? What do you need to make the task/project more do-able? Develop a plan and tweak as necessary.?

2. Use Time-Blocking and the Pomodoro Technique

Time-blocking—allocating specific chunks of time for focused work—can reduce the urge to procrastinate. The Pomodoro Technique (working for 25 minutes, followed by a 5-minute break) is another great tool, helping you to stay focused and take regular breaks to prevent burnout. Set aside time in your calendar and treat it as a meeting with yourself. A word of caution from me though here/ Whilst it allows you to set time aside, it is still you that needs to DO SOMETHING?

3. Shift Your Mindset from Perfection to Progress

High-achievers often procrastinate because of a fear of imperfection. Instead of aiming for flawless results right away, set a goal to simply “get started” or “make progress.” Starting with a rough draft or brainstorming ideas can help ease the pressure to perform perfectly on the first try. Then set a number of drafts that can happen before the final version. It sets a boundary for your deeper mind to focus and help you complete the work you have in front of you.

4. Practice Self-Compassion

One of the most effective ways to overcome procrastination is to reframe it with self-compassion rather than self-criticism. Recognize that everyone struggles with procrastination at times, and that beating yourself up only reinforces negative emotions. Instead, approach tasks with curiosity—“What’s one small thing I can do to make progress on this?”

5. Set “Artificial” Deadlines

For long-term projects, setting a series of smaller, internal deadlines can help you build momentum without waiting until the last minute. Schedule a “check-in” for yourself a week or two before the actual deadline, so you have time to refine your work and make adjustments if needed.

6. Identify Your Most Productive Times and Work with Them

Each of us has certain times of day when we’re more alert and focused. Identify when your productivity peaks and schedule your most challenging work for those times. For some, it’s early morning; for others, it’s late afternoon. Aligning your work with your natural rhythms can make daunting tasks feel easier. The idea of tackling the most challenging task first thing in the morning is famously discussed in Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy. In this productivity book, Tracy advocates for starting the day with the hardest, most important task—your "frog." The concept is based on the idea that if you "eat a live frog" first thing in the morning, everything else in the day will seem easier by comparison.

The Rewards of Facing Procrastination Head-On

The benefits of overcoming procrastination go beyond hitting deadlines. Studies show that people who manage procrastination experience lower stress, higher self-esteem, and improved professional relationships. For busy professionals, the rewards can also be tangible: greater recognition for quality work, more time to pursue personal goals, and the confidence that comes from feeling in control of one’s time and energy.

As a final note, have a think about what you can do and how you can tackle procrastination when it strikes. You can use one strategy or several, it makes no difference as it is about finding what works for you.

Longer term, it is possible to understand the emotional drivers behind procrastination, to stop seeing it as a moral failing and start addressing it with curiosity and practical solutions.

I work with busy professionals like you to help break the cycle of procrastination. This can be transformative, unlocking new levels of productivity, creativity, and satisfaction.

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My name is Kim Searle and I am a Mindset Coach helping busy professionals to gain more clarity, productivity and success. I am on a mission to elevate the success of all who follow me, work with me, or know me, by sharing my pearls of wisdom. Follow my Podcast here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-balanced-mind/id1744578098

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