PRODUCTIVITY TIME MANAGEMENT

Procrastination: How to Determine the Root Cause and Get Things Done

Apr 06, 2023

Raise your hand if you've ever put off something important only to find yourself scrambling to complete it at the last minute. Don't worry, we've all been there, done that. Procrastination is something that plagues many of us, and while it may seem like a harmless habit, its long-term effects can be detrimental. As coaches, course creators, and service professionals, procrastination can prevent us from achieving our goals, serving our clients well, and growing our businesses. So why do we procrastinate? And how can we tackle the root cause to overcome this bad habit? Let's dive in

Fear and Self-Doubt

One of the most common root causes of procrastination is fear - fear of failure, fear of success, fear of the unknown. When we don't feel confident in ourselves or our abilities, we may put off tasks that challenge us. This can lead to a vicious cycle of procrastination and self-doubt. To overcome this, we need to address the underlying fears and work on building our confidence. One way to do this is to break tasks down into smaller, more manageable steps. Celebrating each small win along the way can help build momentum and confidence.

Lack of Clarity

Another root cause of procrastination is lack of clarity. When we're unsure about what we need to do or how to do it, we may avoid taking action altogether. This can lead to procrastination and feelings of overwhelm. To overcome this, we can focus on gaining clarity through goal setting and planning. By breaking down our goals into actionable steps, we can create a clear roadmap for what needs to be done and when. This can reduce feelings of overwhelm and make it easier to take action.

Perfectionism

Perfectionism can also be a root cause of procrastination. If we feel like we need to do something perfectly, we may put it off until we feel like we have enough time or resources to do so. This can lead to procrastination and missed opportunities. To overcome this, we need to let go of the idea of perfection and focus on progress. Taking imperfect action is better than taking no action at all. By embracing the idea of progress over perfection, we can break the cycle of procrastination.

Lack of Motivation

We all have days where we lack motivation, but when it becomes a habit, it can lead to procrastination. When we don't feel motivated, we may put off tasks that we know we need to do. To overcome this, we can focus on finding our why - the reason behind why we want to achieve our goals. By connecting with our purpose, we can tap into a deeper source of motivation that can help us overcome even the toughest of tasks.

Overcommitment

Finally, overcommitment can also be a root cause of procrastination. When we have too much on our plate, we may feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. This can lead to procrastination and missed deadlines. To overcome this, we need to learn to say no and prioritize our commitments. By focusing on the most important tasks and letting go of the rest, we can reduce feelings of overwhelm and make it easier to take action.

Procrastination can be a tough habit to break, but by tackling the root cause, we can overcome this challenge and achieve our goals. Whether it's fear, lack of clarity, perfectionism, lack of motivation, or overcommitment, there are strategies we can use to overcome each one. By focusing on progress, gaining clarity, building confidence and motivation, and prioritizing our commitments, we can break the cycle of procrastination and achieve success in our businesses and lives. So let's get to it!