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August 11, 2008
Two reasons why we procrastinate
We all do it: kick something around on our lists (if we were even brave to put it ON a list), curse it, skip over it and try really hard to ignore it. Yet, we can't let it go. The longer it lingers, the guilt and stress builds or the opportunity is simply missed. Sound familiar? Good, join the club, you are like everyone else on the planet who procrastinates!
Is it necessary to eliminate procrastination to be effective in your personal and professional life? Not necessarily. Sometimes a little breathing room on something is exactly what I needed to get more clarity that I didn't know I needed on it. But it is helpful to know some strategies for unsticking your stuff, especially if it's something you really need or want to do now. There are two primary reasons why we tend to procrastinate:
1. The outcome is not meaningful enough to you
2. You don't have a clear next action
Now, think of one thing you are procrastinating on. If you had to go take action on that right now, do you have all of the information you need to take that action? If not, you haven't nailed the next action. Back yourself up to a clear next action. Go more microscopic in your next action if it feels too big or complex. Now, the outcome. What images do you hold when you picture yourself finishing that thing? Failure? Boredom? Jail? Out of control? Painful? Good chance that outcome is not only not meaningful enough to you, you're not picturing a successful outcome. Procrastination will pounce on that like weak prey. Reshift your outcome to a finish line you see yourself winning. Yes, it's that easy.
Posted by Kelly at August 11, 2008 04:56 PM
Comments
#2 is dead on!
It's true that we procrastinate. We all do! And we find ourselves in a bit of a pickle once that deadline nears. We sit there thinking "oh crap! What do I do?" and the procrastination continues. Why? Because we haven't really given 'respect' to the process that involves defining a course of action.
[I've grown conscious of this through personal experience and have since learned to define my project plans well in advance so as to limit if not eliminate moments of procrastination :-P]
Posted by: Ribeezie at August 11, 2008 11:47 PM
I think #1 is of equal weight to #2, I just wonder if more clarification is needed around the 'identity' issues that can drive procrastination.
It could be a fear of failure, but perhaps you internally recognize you don't know how to do it... or perhaps it's the painful ego adjustment about what, at this moment, you are truly capable of.
I think the ego plays into many things - like righting wrongs, apologizing, getting help from others, turning things down (yes - procrastinating as passive/aggressive refusal).
So yes... while it is the outcome we are not picturing clearing, perhaps we are avoiding the outcome that requires us to view of ourselves differently.
Posted by: Craig at August 19, 2008 07:59 AM
Looking at my own procrastination practice I do agree. However I found a number of add-ons/extensions to the reasons:
3. Having a very long list of actions makes me feel important, cleaning them out threatens that (I know how stupid that is)
4. Not paying enough attention to personal balance and energy levels (read: rest, joy, nutrition, exercise) makes procrastination looking more attractive than action.
What a struggle with a lot is meaning. There are a lot of items that need to be done (like filing taxes), that I acknowledge as necessary *and* don't feel any meaning in them (as is personal value).
:-) stw
Posted by: Stephan H. Wissel at August 21, 2008 10:03 PM
Thank you Kelly for inspiring my reflections/musings on why I procrastinate.
When I complete a project I've being procrastinating on, there is a dynamic internal shift and realization of newfound ownership and responsibility.
Follow-on projects & actions are more difficult to delay because the initial project was actually possible to complete.
The world witnessed that I was capable of not procrastinating and now has more expectations of me.
If I don't complete a project (eg only getting through 10 weeks of a 12 week personal fitness program), then I have a personal get-out to start procrastinating sooner. Even though I feel and look better towards the end of the program, the avoidance of the "next 12 week program" - which is technically a new project - is palpable because it should be performed differently with my 100% newfound skill, awareness and experience.
Upon reflection, some examples of projects I've successfully completed (college degree, Pilot's License, SCUBA Certificate) all were possible because I consistently focused only on the actual next action and surrendered the (desired) outcome. In each case, I didn't dwell on the meaning or outcome of completion, just the next action. I enjoyed the surprise of completion. By allowing myself to enter that unfamiliar space of completion (AKA ownership), the next step opened up.
Graduated College - left the security of academia and ventured out into the Corporate World.
Pilot-in-Command - took up passengers (without flight instructor onboard) and navigated New York & Los Angeles Airspace. What a thrill that was. Note: Procrastination is now creeping back in because I want an Instrument Rating. Interesting! What's the next action?
SCUBA Certificate - relatively safe sport, but now 100% accountable for another person - my dive buddy.
Posted by: Paul at September 14, 2008 01:41 AM
