There’s always more to the story. There’s always more than meets the eye. Procrastination is no exception. We often think of procrastination as some fundamental character flaw- “Well procrastination must mean I’m a lazy bum. That’s just who I am.” The reality is very different. Procrastination is often an outward symptom of inward issues. It’s the fruit, not the root. It’s not self-contained, it's linked to other parts of our life.
When we dig deeper, we will discover that there’s a lot more to the story, and there are some surprising ways we can address procrastination without the same old mantra of “trying harder.” On today’s show, we dig deep into procrastination and look at some of the root causes behind this problem.
Fear of Failure
- One common cause of procrastination is the fear of failure.
- Unrealistic expectations often drive our fear of failure: comparing ourselves to someone online our friend, or even our dreamy ideals.
- These expectations can paralyze us and prevent us from taking action.
- Antidote: Failure is normal and everyone goes through times when they fail at something.
- Don’t take yourself too seriously. We all mess up, and the first time we try new things is often the worst.
- By understanding that failure is a normal part of the learning process, we can overcome this fear and move forward with our tasks.
Lack of Motivation
- Another factor that contributes to procrastination is a lack of motivation.
- If we don't see the value or importance of a task, we often don't find the motivation to get started.
- Antidote: Connect your action with your why and connect the small picture to the big picture
- By finding meaning in the task, you can increase your motivation and reduce the tendency to procrastinate.
Instant Gratification Addiction
- Another psychological explanation for procrastination is the concept of instant gratification. This is probably one you’ve already suspected
- As humans, we are wired to seek immediate rewards and pleasure.
- When faced with a task that requires effort and delayed gratification, we are more likely to procrastinate in favor of more immediately rewarding activities, such as scrolling through social media or watching TV.
- We are surrounded by easy, appealing, and often free forms of instant gratification. In this environment, we have to be intentional about not just following our short-term cravings.
- The answer doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing, it just has to be intentional.
- By understanding this tendency, we can implement strategies to minimize distractions and increase our focus on important tasks.
- Be systematic with your boundaries
Working Outside Our Natural Zone
- God wired you with things you are good at and things you enjoy
- We often procrastinate in areas that are not our natural zone
- This doesn’t give us an excuse, but it is a reality we should see
- This is something we should keep in mind when making commitments
CHALLENGE:
Review the sections we talked about and figure out which one is affecting you the most
- Fear of Failure
- Lack of Motivation
- Instant gratification addiction
- Working outside your natural zone
Don’t just accept guilt over procrastination. Figure out why you are procrastinating and you’ll be able to deal with it the right way.
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