Generally, when “doing stuff” your actions can fall into three different categories.

Stuff you should be doing, stuff you want to do, and stuff you do instead of either of the first of those two.

This is the realm of procrastination. The challenge of putting off doing things that we know are good for us, or that we need to do.

Whether it involves half an hour of procrastination by mindlessly scrolling through social media because you don’t want to get your day started, or longer-term procrastination such not getting that rattling noise in your car fixed until the car breaks down, or putting off making a large life decision like studying or quitting your job. I am certain that almost everybody has experienced the mysterious phenomenon of procrastination to some degree in their life. So, why do we experience it and how do we overcome it? I hope to outline these topics in this article, however it’s important to realise that the way you overcome procrastination might look completely different to the way someone else does. So, feel free to take what resonates for you here and then figure out what works for you.

For me, procrastination can be a tell-tale sign that I am experiencing one or more of the following; confusion during my decision making process, chasing perfection, fear of not being good enough, attaching to the outcomes of my decisions or fatigue. Unpacking each of these might help you better understand where you are at and how you can begin to manage each point.

Confusion:

This can be brought about by more than one aspect. You could be experiencing “decision paralysis” whereby you have so many options at hand, that the ability to focus in on one seems almost impossible. The fact that we have “the world at our fingertips” these days is an incredible feat, but it can also leave people very confused. When confused it becomes difficult to make focussed decisions. This often affects people who get the feeling that they “don’t know who they are” or what they want. With so many options at hand, it becomes important to prioritise what is important to us. Let me tell you a little story…

About two months ago I was studying full time and working three part time jobs. I was at my wits end and I was burning out. One night I had a dream and in the dream my house was burning down. Everyone was rushing out to safety and yet I was “paralysed” with indecision. I could see the flames coming nearer and nearer, yet I could not decide what to take with me. Should I take my favourite clothing? My electronics? Old diaries and keepsakes? Musical instruments? I was stuck and I knew that if I did not decide, I would be consumed by the flames.

Upon waking, I realised that in my life I was spread too thin and I had been putting off doing what was best for me, simply because I could not prioritise what was important to me. And then there was the fear of financial instability and letting people down, and, and, and… However, I knew then and there that I had to stop putting things off. I needed to prioritise what was important in my life and decide, despite the outcome. So, I quit two of the part time jobs because I knew they were not aligned with my current priority – my studies.

When you have a million things going on and too many options, you need to prioritise and then pick one or two things to address or get done. In my experience, simplifying things always leads to a better result. Just because I have the option to do everything, does not mean that I must. This can reflect in any area of my life, even in writing music. Sometimes one simple chord can create more emotion and effect than a cacophony of complex melodies. The bottom line is that focus and knowing how to prioritise is vital to overcoming the decision paralysis factor of procrastination.

Chasing Perfection:

Often, we sit in indecision or procrastination where we put off doing something we should be doing or that we wish we could do, because of fear of not getting it right or not being good enough. We tend to chase the “perfect” outcome and fear that if we don’t achieve standards we set for ourselves in our mind, we will ultimately become unhappy. A simple example – upon writing this article I am faced with two options.

1. To sit and wait until I think I have the best article prepared in my mind before I start putting in any action, because I want it to be professionally written, relatable and include all the facts etc.
2. I can just start. Allow what flows to flow and then to chip away at it little by little to see what comes of it, knowing that it will not be perfect, but that it will be done. I have to be at peace with the fact that if it really sucks, the only thing that will be affected is my ego for a little while. I know all too well that allowing my ego to make decisions for me is never going to get me anywhere.

So, I go for it. I sit down, block out about 3 hours of my day, and simply start writing until it’s done. The result will be what it is, and people will respond the way they respond, and at the end of the day it does not matter whether people like it or not. I do not need to be perfect to finish a task. Sometimes finishing an imperfect task is more of an achievement than half finishing a perfect one. Trying to chase perfectionism is an illusion. So, make the decision before you start, that there’s a chance you won’t get it right. If you can make peace with that, you are more likely to begin and of course, to complete the task at hand.

Chasing Happiness:

This ties in with the decision-making process and the factor of attaching yourself to outcomes. Although it may be easier said than done, it is important to understand that a decision or task may make you feel better and it may not. Holding onto trying to make the perfect decision can leave you in a space of procrastination.

For example, you may hate the job you are in. You get an offer for a new position and you sit there making a list of all the pros and cons and yet you put off doing what you know would be better for you because of “what if’s”.  What if this person is disappointed? What if I do not have enough money? What if I am not qualified enough?

What if…

Spending time in projection of the future can cause you to go loopy. The fact is that whatever decision you make is going to come with some sacrifice as well as some benefit (as far as you are aware) but in truth, you have no idea what the future holds. You could end up having the time of your life or you could end up in yet another corner of misery. If you adopt the mindset that literally anything can happen, and commit to making the most of whatever outcome occurs, then you ultimately will be able to find peace and happiness in your decision.

Sometimes a way out of procrastination is simply to decide to do something, and then to just do it, letting go of the “what if’s”.

Fatigue:

Sometimes we struggle to do things because we are just tired. Whether it is mentally, physically, or emotionally, exhaustion demotivates you. Ask yourself what kind of rest do you need? Do you need to step away from your laptop for an hour to get some brain rest? Do you need a holiday? Do you need to eat? Do you need to sleep? Nourishing your energy levels in this way can often reboot you into a place of motivation. In this case you have got to develop your ability to say no, which is a whole topic in itself!

So, there you have it. It may not be scientifically based, but it happens to be my view on what can possibly drive procrastination and what you can do to overcome it. For me, the driver of procrastination is almost always fatigue, self- doubt or confusion. These three things can be overcome through rest, self-empowerment, decision making and letting go.

So next time you find yourself procrastinating, ask yourself “Do I need to rest, believe in myself, prioritise or let go?” If you can do these things, you’re are more likely to be able to focus in with self-discipline to begin and even finish the tasks before you.

Two more important factors to take into consideration is the ability to ask for help when you get stuck, which requires humility and the process of generating healthy habits through disciplined practise, but these topics will be covered in articles to come. For now, focus on the four questions stated above as a starting point for overcoming your procrastination. What really helps me as well, is writing two lists down first thing in the morning. One is a list of all the things I need to get done, the other is a list of the top three things you know you can manageably get done in the day. Be at peace with crossing those three things off rather than trying to face the overwhelming task of all the projects at hand.  My advice for now – deciding to just do something, and then doing it and letting go of your expectations is often your best formula for overcoming procrastination. Remember that deciding to not do something, and then being at peace with that decision, is often as effective as well!

Keep an eye out for articles I will be writing in future to find out more about self- management, mental blocks, creativity and more!