“Never put off till tomorrow
what may be done day after tomorrow just as well.”
– Mark Twain

Procrastination is a common behavior that many people struggle with, including yours truly. Fortunately, there are many strategies and techniques that can be helpful in managing it. In particular, this post features an easy, fun and powerful shortcut to help you stop procrastinating and accomplish what you want!

Procrastination defined

Procrastination is the act of delaying or postponing a task or activity that needs to be completed, often to the point of causing stress, anxiety, or negative consequences. It involves actively choosing to put off something that needs to be done, despite knowing that the delay may have negative consequences. Procrastination can take many forms, including putting off difficult or unpleasant tasks, getting distracted by less important activities, or failing to prioritize tasks effectively. While it is a common behavior, chronic procrastination can interfere with personal and professional goals, and may lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and regret.

Procrastination causes

Why do we procrastinate? There’s not a “one size fits all” answer to this question. Some of the common reasons which cause procrastination include:

Lack of motivation: When we lack motivation, it can be difficult to get started on a task, and we may procrastinate as a result. Reasons for this lack of motivation could include feeling overwhelmed, lacking interest or passion for a task, or feeling disconnected from our goals.
Fear of failure or success: If we are afraid of failing or making mistakes, we may procrastinate to avoid the possibility of failure. Procrastination can be a way of avoiding the anxiety and uncertainty that can come with taking on new challenges.
Perfectionism: Perfectionists may procrastinate because they are afraid of not being able to complete a task perfectly, or because they are overly focused on details and are not able to prioritize tasks effectively.
Difficulty with task initiation: Some people may struggle with initiating tasks, especially if they involve multiple steps or are complex.
Distractions and/or difficulty with time management: Some people may procrastinate simply because they get distracted by social media or other activities and have trouble managing their time and prioritizing tasks effectively.
Lack of clarity or focus: People may not have a clear idea of what they want to achieve or how to go about achieving it, leading to confusion and procrastination.
Self-limiting beliefs: People may have beliefs about themselves (likely unconscious beliefs) that limit their potential.

Procrastination remedies

Because the reasons that underly procrastination can be complex and multifaceted, individualized approaches may be required to get at the root cause of the behavior. The good news is that people who want to stop procrastinating can absolutely do so! Here are three beginning steps to get you on your way.

1. Invite the wisdom of your True Self to help you get really clear on what you truly want and why. A clear, believable, compelling vision that excites you can light your path like nothing else.

2. Pay attention to how you’re feeling and what you’re thinking. If you’re feeling stuck, realize that is just a mindset (an oppressive one) that can be changed. Feelings of being stuck or overwhelmed or discouraged will keep you tethered to the procrastinating behavior that you so want to move away from. Reach for and practice thoughts that lift you up and bring relief. Identify an aspect of your life where you do feel in control and dwell on how good that feels. You cannot be stuck and in motion at the same time, so a focus on what is working can bring pleasant ripple effects to your world.

3. Look at the seven procrastination causes above, identify the primary factors that are keeping you stuck and make an action plan to specifically target those. There are plenty of ways to stop procrastinating and live a better life, and either working on your own or working with a coach, you can design a customized plan to deliver the results you seek.