If you are human, you have experienced procrastination in your life. You may not be as tempted as some and more tempted than others to put things off in your life. You may focus and act with diligence at work but put off your professional development goals. Have you ever wondered why procrastination is such a temptation?
Lack of Self-Regulation
In some cases, procrastination is the result of a lack of self-regulation. This is not the same as a lack of self-control but a lack of understanding of time and its value. You may also find that you have difficulty managing your emotions and, therefore, allow them to rule in your life.
If you don’t feel like doing something, you find a reason to put it off. You may not understand the benefits of completing the task, but you know it will not fulfill your desire for instant gratification. Instead, write your goals and break them into steps. Work on them every day, no matter how you feel.
Fear
Like some, you may fear failure, and like others, you may fear success. Fear is a poison that can freeze you and make you delay your actions. You may even have people around you saying things like, “You know, more than half of new businesses fail,” “You can’t do that,” or “If you spend this money to expand your company, you can’t use it for something you need later.”
Whether your fears are internal or others are speaking negatively about you and giving you new fears, your fears can keep you from achieving your dreams. You may then cut corners, delay important meetings, miss deadlines, or overthink projects. You should realize that no one is perfect and you may fail, but you need to look at every step as a learning experience.
Your Progress Seems Slow
At times, you can spend days, months, or years on a project that seems to go nowhere. This is a real challenge for small business owners who hope to experience rapid growth but it may seem like you are in the same place. Unfortunately, the lack of visible progress prevents the release of dopamine in your brain, eliminating the pleasure of moving toward your goals. Your work can feel like drudgery, almost pointless.
Instead of focusing on the overall project or progress, search for little things that you accomplish. Find small wins. Divide your goals into steps and stages with deadlines and key accomplishments. Then, celebrate when you achieve them.
You can overcome procrastination and move into a stage of personal and professional development. Figure out why you procrastinate and build strategies to overcome it.