After you read this post, be sure to check out the other selection of take action now articles and books shared at the end. Both are great resources that will help you do what needs doing in your life.
If you are a person who chooses to procrastinate, stall and make excuses rather than take action now, find out the reason. It is important to find out why you don’t take action when you should. Once you know and understand the why, you can do something about it
Procrastination is not invincible, figure out why you do it so you can stop procrastinating and begin to take action now.
Procrastination is commonly defined as what happens when you delay or postpone something. Almost every school child has heard the expression, “never put off for tomorrow what you can do today.” However, hearing the expression is not the same as following the words in the expression. People who procrastinate have reasons, excuses and justifications for their procrastination.
In order to start kicking procrastination to the curb, make a list of all the things you have been putting off doing. Be honest and list as many items as possible. The more complete this inventory is, the more you will have to work with as you try to figure out why you do not take action now when you should. It doesn’t matter if your list is with pen and paper or on your favorite electronic device. The important thing is that you need to make the list.
Now that you have the list it is time to figure out what kept you from doing each item on the list. Look at it as objectively as you can. Keep in mind, the list is just for you, no one else is going to be looking over your shoulder at the list. Write down the reasons you procrastinated on each item. There is something powerful about having information in writing so you can look back at it. As you identify the thing that kept you from taking action now on each item on the list, look for common themes.
There are a few common reasons that people procrastinate. These include:
- fear of success
- fear of failure
- lack of self-confidence
- past failures
- listening to others instead of yourself
- lack of prior experience
- lack of expertise
It doesn’t matter if your reasons for failing to take action now are not on the list. The list is not meant to be all-inclusive, instead, it is meant to spark ideas as you try to figure out your own reasons for failing to act. By looking at the list of times when you should have acted and didn’t and learning why you didn’t act, you are ready for the next step. That step is finding tools that help you move forward to take action now when you should.
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Robin, I love your response. It was so simple, honest and to the point it made me laugh.
Hi Janeane! I know we all procrastinate on certain things. For me a lot of it is overwhelmed. Doing laundry feels overwhelming at times because of how long it takes. When I can flip my mindset and focus on the fact that it only takes a few minutes to throw in a load, and really a basket can be folded and put away in under 15 minutes, it’s not as bad as I make it out to be. I am trying to get better at reframing my procrastinations that way. So far it’s heping. 🙂
I procrastinate on some things. I do great with others. I could use improvement with the former, def. 😉
I procrastinate because I’m afraid whatever I’m doing won’t be perfect. Changing my philosophy to “done is better than perfect” has been life-changing.
I am the gal who encourages friends not to procrastinate. I like to just get things done. Love this post.
I’m a big list maker and it really does help in the procrastination department. I’m not much for waiting til the last minute…it doesn’t usually work out well for me!
These are great points. I’m definitely prone to getting distracted with conversation and other tasks. I’d like to be able to focus!
I totally procrastinate when it comes to cleaning the house! My other things I’m good on but I can find any reason to put that off! I need to get better about it!
I’m still trying to figure out why I procrastinate. It baffles me. Your words are encouraging about it not being invincible. There is hope 🙂 Thank God…
I’m the queen of procrastinating. It’s a Libra quality I hear 😉 But when I am on the ball I feel so much better. I hate this quality that I have.
I’ve always been a procrastinator. I’ve gotten better in adulthood. Sometimes it’s laziness and sometimes it’s fear. Either way it’s nice to keep it in check!
I am such a procrastinator. Part of mine is my adult ADHD and my lack of motivation lately. I need to just start doing things again!
I know why I procrastinate. I am lazy. Plain and simple 🙂