Procrastination Isn’t the Problem: Discover What’s Really Holding You Back

We’ve all been there – endlessly scrolling on social media, rearranging our desk for the tenth time, or suddenly feeling the urge to clean out that drawer we’ve ignored for months. Ah, procrastination. It’s easy to point the finger at it when deadlines loom and tasks remain untouched. But here’s the thing: procrastination is not the root cause of why you’re not hitting your goals. It’s just a symptom. Let’s dig a little deeper and uncover what’s really stopping you.

The Myth of Procrastination as the Problem

We love to label ourselves as “procrastinators,” as if that explains everything. But procrastination is just a surface-level behaviour. Saying “I’m a procrastinator” is a convenient way to avoid facing what’s truly going on beneath the surface. The real blockers are often more complex—perfectionism, overwhelm, fear of failure, or even a lack of alignment with your purpose. Until you get clear on the root cause, you’ll keep getting stuck in the same cycles.

Perfectionism and Overthinking

As a business owner, perfectionism can be a sneaky saboteur. You might spend so much time refining every detail that you delay taking action. This creates a cycle of inaction, where the fear of not doing something perfectly keeps you from doing it at all. Instead of waiting for the “perfect moment” or the “perfect idea,” consider embracing imperfection as a part of your journey. Remember, progress often trumps perfection!

Overwhelm and Indecision

The autonomy you have as a business owner can sometimes feel overwhelming. You might find yourself stuck in indecision, putting off tasks because there’s too much on your plate. To break free from this cycle, start small. Prioritise tasks that align with your larger goals and take one step at a time. You’ll find that clarity emerges from action, and you’ll regain your momentum.

Instant Gratification and Distraction

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to get distracted by day-to-day operations that don’t move the needle in your business. Instant gratification can lead to procrastination on those big, important tasks. To combat this, identify your biggest priorities and set clear deadlines. Creating a structured schedule can help you stay focused and committed to tasks that truly matter.

Personal Anecdote

I can personally relate to the distraction element, suspecting I have ADHD! I have so many ideas that I want to work on now, but the challenge comes when I start something and then get another idea. I often find myself getting bored with what I'm doing because it takes too long, and I want to dive into my new idea with all the excitement. Interestingly, this same challenge is also my strength. It allows me to come up with a myriad of ideas for my clients, helping them see opportunities they might overlook.

Fear of Failure or Success

Fear can be a major roadblock when it comes to taking action. Sometimes, it’s fear of failure, “What if I try and it doesn’t work?” Other times, it’s fear of success, which brings its own set of expectations and pressures.

Client Story

I once worked with a client who had this fear of success. She was more than willing to put in the hard work; however, she was terrified that achieving her goals would come at a steep cost. In her mind, success meant long hours and sacrificing precious time with family and friends. She worried that the more successful she became, the less time she’d have to enjoy the life she truly wanted. This fear held her back, leading her to procrastinate on taking critical actions that could have propelled her forward.

By addressing her fears and reframing her beliefs about success, she was able to shift her perspective. We explored strategies for achieving her goals while maintaining a balanced life, allowing her to embrace success without sacrificing what mattered most. Recognising these fears is the first step toward overcoming them. Reframe your perspective: instead of viewing failure as the end, see it as a learning opportunity.

Lack of Alignment and Purpose

If you struggle to stay motivated on tasks that don’t feel aligned with your bigger vision, it’s hard to find the energy to push forward. When you’re unclear on your “why”—your deeper purpose—tasks start feeling like heavy burdens rather than stepping stones toward your vision. Reflect on what truly matters to you and realign your actions with your core values to reignite your passion.

The Real Work: Facing the Deeper Issues

So how do you move past these barriers? It’s not about forcing yourself to work harder or setting more rigid deadlines. You need to get curious about what’s really going on. Ask yourself:

• What am I really afraid of?

• Is there a belief I’m holding onto that’s keeping me stuck?

• Am I aligned with the work I’m doing, or is there resistance because it’s not truly meaningful to me?

When you dig deeper and address the root causes—whether that’s fear, perfectionism, or something else entirely—you’ll notice procrastination naturally starts to fade. It’s not about fighting procrastination; it’s about healing what’s underneath it.

Shifting Your Focus

Imagine what’s possible if you stopped beating yourself up for procrastinating and instead focused on understanding yourself better. You’d not only break the cycle but also build deeper self-awareness and emotional resilience in the process.

The truth is, procrastination is just the tip of the iceberg. Real growth comes from exploring what’s below the surface. When you do that, you don’t just become more productive—you become unstoppable.

Let’s Get to the Root Together

If you’re ready to dive deeper and uncover what’s really holding you back, I’d love to support you. I invite you to take my Procrastination Quiz to discover your specific procrastination patterns and the underlying beliefs driving them. Once you understand these, we can work together to break free from the cycle of procrastination and set you on the path to success.

👉 Take the Procrastination Quiz now and start your journey to overcoming the barriers holding you back!

Book List for Understanding and Overcoming Procrastination

1. "The Procrastination Equation: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Stuff Done" by Piers Steel
   This book explores the psychology behind procrastination and offers practical strategies to overcome it, based on extensive research.

2. "Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones" by James Clear
   Clear’s insightful approach to habit formation can help readers understand how small changes can lead to significant improvements in productivity.

3. "The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles" by Steven Pressfield
   This book addresses the internal battles that creatives face, including procrastination and resistance, offering inspiration and motivation to push through.

4. "Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts." by Brené Brown
   Brown’s work on vulnerability and courage can help readers confront their fears and understand the emotional blocks that contribute to procrastination.

5. "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" by Carol S. Dweck
   Dweck discusses the importance of having a growth mindset, which can help overcome fear of failure and the desire for perfectionism.

6. "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" by Greg McKeown
   This book teaches readers how to prioritise what truly matters, allowing them to focus their energy and overcome the distractions that lead to procrastination.

7. "The Five Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage" by Mel Robbins
   Robbins introduces a simple technique to overcome hesitation and self-doubt, empowering readers to take action immediately.

8. "The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are" by Brené Brown
   This book encourages readers to embrace their imperfections and let go of the pressure to be perfect, which is often a source of procrastination.

9. "Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World" by Cal Newport
   Newport advocates for cultivating the ability to focus without distraction on cognitively demanding tasks, which can help reduce procrastination.

10. "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" by David D. Burns
    This classic on cognitive behavioural therapy explores how negative thoughts contribute to procrastination and offers techniques to challenge and change them.

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