Uncomfortable truth about procrastination
Procrastination is the thief of time — the end.
If I ended it there, it would be a very short blog and probably not helpful. So, I will continue because you know when and how you procrastinate and presumably would like to stop. You would like to enjoy greater and easier focus in the business, find a way of avoiding distractions, and stop procrastinating.
I recently delivered a talk on focus to the ONLE Network. For this, I asked, ‘What’s your primary form of procrastination? ‘The responses were diverse, revealing a list as long as your leg of the ways we procrastinate.
Unsurprisingly, social media appeared on the list, particularly those focusing heavily on video content. However, procrastination is not limited to these alone. It also includes email, Lego, and stationery buying. Even seemingly productive activities like organising, planning, and list-making can be forms of procrastination.
Add to this research and playing with new ideas, tech, apps, and tools—the list goes on. But I think you get the idea.
The challenge of procrastination
As I’m sure you know, the challenge is real and can be an avoidance tactic. You tell yourself you must do more of X before you are ready to do Y, that you need to do A before you will be ready to give your time to B, and that P is way more important than Q. And boy, do you love to do W, so let’s do more of that. I hope you get the idea.
Here’s the thing: you are most likely avoiding the activity that will create your desired outcome. Yet off you go, finding anything and everything you can do except that ‘one’ thing. Fear is holding you stuck, so having an emotional connection to your goals is so important, but more on that another time.
You avoid the thing that scares you, like the plague, because it’s something you’ve never done before, a new way of working. It might result in ‘people’ having an opinion about you and your actions. It might mean achieving the dream, and then what? Family and friends might judge you.
Are you avoiding or switching?
Beyond stealing your time, procrastination can also be a challenge because there are ways we use our favourite tools that have NOTHING to do with avoiding something.
- Killing time between meetings when there isn’t time to start something meaningful.
- Provide your brain time to reset before starting a new project or task.
- Using them as a way of relaxing between jobs, e.g. Lego.
- Taking time out to refocus, reconnect or find your way again in the business?
- To help you switch off so the solution can land or idea form
When you look at the list of ways we procrastinate, you will see some vital tools for operating and managing a business, such as planning, organising, and exploring new ideas.
So, when do these tasks become procrastination tools?
Good question. In truth, only you know the answer, and I think it depends on the task. Doom scrolling and housework are, yes, avoidance tactics, as neither will help you move the business forward. In fact, I would avoid doom-scrolling completely, and the problem with a household chore is that one chore leads to another! 😆
But even I have used planning in the past to avoid implementing the perfectly good plan I had already created. I can get distracted by a pile of laundry that needs to be done. So, what can you do?
Next time you realise you’re procrastinating or have been. Ask yourself one or all of the following questions:
- What reason did I give myself for using that particular procrastination tool?
- If I had given my time to ________ (fill in the black), what difference could it have made to my business?
- How could I have used my time better?
- What was I avoiding and why?
- What am I scared of?
When answering, be honest and curious. By doing this regularly, you may start to see a pattern. Perhaps you will recognise where you need help and support in the business. Remember, you choose how and where to spend your precious time, so choose wisely.
Book a complimentary coaching call here if you would benefit from help and guidance to understand where you are losing time in the business.