Most people procrastinate over something. I might have procrastinated about writing this BLOG! But do you know why you procrastinate? Is it ever okay to procrastinate- does it serve any purpose? Does it really cause any harm?

There are really four types of procrastination.

I procrastinate because I work well under pressure.

This type of procrastinator creates focus by decreasing the time that they have to get things done. Sometimes the real reason behind this approach is that you tend toward perfectionism and with a tight timeline you are forced to accept something less than your unreasonably exacting standards. The biggest challenge for this type of procrastinator is getting started. To work differently consider setting a start date rather than a due date. Shifting the focus to when you are going start rather than finish takes some pressure off.

I am feeling lazy or not motivated right now.

These people may be extra hard on themselves and will often say they are lazy when not accomplishing things. What they really are is tired and pushing themselves too hard! Their biggest challenge is creating down time. Try self-care to recharge your energy. Take a walk or nap but set aside the devices and rebuild your energy.

I am just too busy.

The person that puts things off because they are too busy- really is too busy! They feel accomplished by having a full calendar but end up feeling overwhelmed. Often the full calendar is a way avoiding things- challenges or things they do not wat to do. A big challenge for them is the chaos they create in the process of avoiding the stuff they need to do. If this sounds like you take a moment for self-reflection and ask yourself what you are really trying to avoid.

I have Shiny Object Syndrome.

Constantly coming up with new projects to start these procrastinators are excited by the new stuff but lack follow through. Usually, they are great at taking action but eventually burn out because their actions are not in one direction long enough to see the results. Many entrepreneurial types fall into this trap and their biggest challenge is completion. To retrain yourself, try keeping a written list of latest ideas or projects, but do not start them until you finish what you’re currently working on. A strategic plan can also help- ask yourself if that new idea/project is on the way to where you want to go or in the way of where you want to go (a drain on resources).

 

Which reason for procrastination sounds like you or someone you know? For me, it is because I tell myself I work better under pressure. Not so much that I am a perfectionist but more that it forces me to focus. Should you ever procrastinate? Yes! Sometimes, we are just not sure that a project or effort is worthwhile, and it is actually beneficial to put it off until we are a) sure it needs our attention; b) we find someone that we can delegate it to; or c) it becomes unnecessary. This a great TedTalk by Rory Vaden about procrastinating on purpose: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2X7c9TUQJ8

 

So, if you have something you have been putting off starting, or completing, ask yourself why. What is holding you back and how can you work around it?