Why do we Procrastinate? Here are the 5 Reasons
Repeat after me
"I will not procrastinate"
Ok, now say it again 5 times. Hold up I’ll be right back to finish this post.
Just kidding. I’m here. And I’m going to finish this. Just like I do all my other projects. But it didn’t used to be this way. I used to procrastinate with the best of them.
Back in elementary school, we had lots of projects. I remember one project that included a book report and then I was supposed to build some crazy art project showing all the characters. It was a 4 week project and I STARTED it the night before it was due. WTF. Mom. Was. Pissed.
At the time, I might have been the worst procrastinator in the world. Then, I decided to solve it.
WHY DO WE PROCRASTINATE?
It almost seems like human nature to wait until the last minute. So many of us do it. And often we have no idea why. It’s maddening. But we can’t just throw up our hands. There’s a solution. It all starts with figuring out WHY we procrastinate.
There’s several reasons why we procrastinate and each has it’s own unique solution:
1) OVERWHELM
This is a big one and might be the most common. We are overwhelmed with the task. It’s too big. The enormity before us overwhelms us and paralyzes us. We don’t even know where to begin. This happens in school and when trying to start a business.
Solution?
Start small. Very small. For an essay, just try to write one page or even a paragraph. For a business, just test out one idea. Don’t worry about building a website or an email list or a funnel. Just do one very small thing.
2) FEAR
Many people procrastinate out of fear. What will my friends think? What if I’m not an expert? What if people reject my ideas? We make up tons of excuses as to why we are procrastinating when it is really our fears that keep us from taking action.
Solution?
Admit to yourself you have fears. We all do. Figure out those exact fears and attack them. Start small. Get out of your comfort zone. Take risks. Talk to people that have overcome the same fears.
3) INDIFFERENCE
You have no desire to complete the task. You just don’t care. It doesn’t excite you.
Solution?
Figure out WHY you don’t want to do it. Maybe you are doing something for someone else instead of for yourself. You’re attempting a project for the wrong reasons. It might be time to give it up and face the pressure put on you. Maybe it’s something you’re not good at. Get someone to help you or do it for you.
4) APATHY
You’re tired. You’re depressed. You’re anxious. You’re stressed.
Solution?
This one is pretty straightforward. It has nothing to do with procrastination on the project. It’s all about getting your head straight. One of the MOST important things you can do here is what most entrepreneurs never want to do: TAKE A BREAK. It’s ok to do so. Give yourself permission. It might be just the thing you need. If it’s a mental health issue, get the help you need.
5) NO DEADLINE
Deadlines hold us to things. They cause us to take action. Without deadlines, we often procrastinate.
Solution?
Setting artificial deadlines doesn’t help all that much. If someone sets them for us it’s best. Committing to a deadline for a client should work well. However, if you set up the proper productivity habits, you won’t need to worry about needing deadlines at all.
So there it is. Your blueprint for eliminating procrastination. Will you still procrastinate? Do I still eat ice cream? Of course from time to time you will slip, but this will get you on the right track.
Comment and tell me what you’ve been procrastinating on and how you’re going to solve it.
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