Procrastination & Slothfulness

I'm a stress management coach, soft skills coach and therapist. And I help you strengthen your inner psychology & mindset, so you can build a strong business.

I’ve been covering the topic of ‘The Seven Deadly Sins’ also known as negative behavioural & thought habits. And considering how - pride, envy, lust, greed, sloth, gluttony and wrath - impact the way we run our businesses.

?I’m sure we are all familiar with procrastination and acting like a sloth - ?an animal that moves really-really slowly. The sloth sleeps more than 15 hours per day, and has a really slow metabolism (it’s evolutionary).

Do you find yourself fighting an over-whelming desire to avoid uncomfortable or unpleasant feelings? ?

Do you experience apathy or avoid your responsibilities?

Confession time. I hold my hands up to being a sloth. I practice the dark art of putting off tasks until the last minute. I hesitate and find myself dragging my heels when carrying out certain tasks. And if I can get away with it … I avoid the task altogether!

Is this such a bad thing?

Well, procrastination and slothful behaviour leads to missed opportunities. They have a negative impact on productivity and success. AND they also generate anxiety and stress.

I’d like you to consider whether any of these 7 behaviours are driving your business. Here’s the quick summary if you are pushed for time (Then I will take a deeper dive into how you can solve them).

7 BEHAVIOURS DRIVING YOUR BUSINESS

1. AVOIDANCE: Avoiding tasks that feel overwhelming or uncomfortable, such as making sales calls or handling financial matters.
2. DISTRACTION: Constantly checking email or social media instead of focusing on important tasks.
3. PROCRASTINATION: Putting off tasks until the last minute or avoiding them altogether.
4. LACK OF MOTIVATION: Feeling unmotivated or uninspired to work on tasks, even if they're critical and important.
5. LACK OF FOCUS : Difficulty processing information and concentrating on tasks for long periods of time.
6. OVER-THINKING: Spending too much time analyzing and overthinking decisions - leading to not making a decision and inaction.
7. PERFECTONISM: This can be driven by a fear failure. Spending excessive amounts of time on tasks in an effort to make them perfect, even when it's not necessary. There’s a lot at stake and you don’t want to get it wrong. Others are watching you, and failing would be embarrassing and humiliating.

Please continue if you want to look at the solutions….

A DEEPER DIVE……

AVOIDANCE: Avoiding critical tasks will only make things worse in the long run. The longer you avoid them, the more they pile up. The more they pile up the more overwhelmed and stressed you get!

There may be several underlying reasons for this behaviour so you need to identify them and come up with a consistent plan. Identify the root cause – prioritise task – delegate tasks – create schedules - be accountable to someone and get support. Develop a plan and remain committed to the process.

DISTRACTION: Constantly checking email or social media instead of focusing on important tasks. The problem is every time you get distracted, you break your focus and lose momentum.

Start setting boundaries and creating habits that support your productivity. Try setting specific times of the day to check your email and social media. Use tools that block websites, apps and eliminate distractions during your most important work periods. Remember, the more focused you are, the more you can accomplish.

PROCRASTINATION: Putting off tasks until the last minute or avoiding them altogether. You believe a task is not critical or important. Start taking baby steps to help you win the race. You need to take action, even when it feels uncomfortable or difficult.

Break tasks down into smaller, more manageable pieces. Set specific goals and deadlines for each project, and hold yourself accountable to completing them. Plus, don't forget to reward yourself for making progress. Celebrating your achievement is part of closing the positive feedback loop.

LACK OF MOTIVATION: Feeling unmotivated or uninspired to work on tasks, even when they are important. This prevents you building momentum.

Start by focusing on questions that reignite your passion. For example - Why did you start this business in the first place? What people in your life drive your desire to succeed? Reconnect with a powerful purpose and let it fuel your motivation in moments of doubt. And if you're feeling stuck, try changing your environment, setting new goals, or finding an accountability partner to keep you on track.

LACK OF FOCUS: Difficulty concentrating on tasks, leads to decreased productivity.

The key here is to eliminate distractions and create a focused work environment. Set yourself up for success by minimising noise and interruptions. Use tools like noise-cancelling headphones or a dedicated workspace. And don't forget to take breaks when you need them – sometimes a quick walk or a stretch break can help you refocus and recharge. I really enjoy the ideas from author Nir Eyal (books: Hooked, Indistractable), they are well worth reading. ?

OVER-THINKING: Spending too much time analyzing and overthinking decisions, leading to indecision. There is probably a fear of getting things wrong. This a real roadblock to progress.

To overcome this, try setting a time limit for your analysis and decision-making process. For instance, give yourself a deadline. And when this is met a decision must be made. Then commit to that decision, see it through & get yourself some data and evidence. Additionally break down the decision into smaller, more manageable parts, so that you're not overwhelmed by the complexity of the situation.

PERFECTIONISM: Spending excessive amounts of time on tasks in an effort to make them perfect, even when it's not necessary. I know you want to do your best work, but sometimes done is better than perfect (or not done at all!).

It's important to set clear expectations for yourself and your team. Define what "good enough" looks like, and focus on delivering quality work within a reasonable timeframe.

Another technique that may be helpful is to focus on the present moment, rather than getting lost in future possibilities or past regrets. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises, can be useful.

CONCLUSION

I know when it comes to procrastination and slothfulness it can be hard to push through - over-whelming feelings and powerful negative thought habits. But I’d like you to consider these 3 questions:

Q1. What's the cost of not taking action?

Q2. What could you be missing out on?

Q3. Are you missing out on working with your dream clients and generating revenue?

It's time to face those uncomfortable tasks head on and take control of your business. Because no one is perfect, and no one was born with “Entrepreneur” stamped on their arse. ?

• Once you start ?identifying and addressing the underlying causes of procrastination and slothful behaviour, you can ?take control of productivity and achieve your personal and professional goals with more ease.
• Try to adopt a growth mindset, and recognize that mistakes and setbacks are a natural part of Business. Build your skills and your knowledge gaps. By reframing mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning, you’ll find it easier to move forward and take action.
• Finally it can be helpful to seek out the support and encouragement of others. whether that’s ?a mentor, coach, or supportive friend or family member. Having a positive and supportive network can help to bolster your confidence and provide the encouragement you need to take ‘calculated’ risks and try new things.

Book a- free "Strength To Strength" Consultation

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see you soon!

Joy

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