When Procrastination is a Warning Light.

I am not, by nature, a procrastinator. I’m a get-it-done, tick-it-off-the-list, and keep-moving-forward kind of person. I have the self-discipline to rise early, exercise, cut my night short to get enough sleep and knock off a big To-Do-List before most people start their day.

I understand it takes just as long to complete a task now as it does if I put it off for a month—except that in a month, you waste time thinking about it, talking about it, and rewriting it on your to-do list multiple times.

If there were a formal "Just Do It" club, I’d be a founding member with a lifetime seat on the board. So, when I find myself procrastinating, it's a signal. Something is wrong, and I need to pay attention.

What are your delay tactics telling you?

Procrastination for those typically action-oriented - isn’t about putting things off.

It’s the leader’s equivalent of a warning light on their car’s dashboard – ignore it for too long, and you might end up stranded on the side of the road.

Take a moment to reflect on the tasks that are on repeat on your to-do list or living rent-free in your mind, and ask yourself why:

1.     Are you overcommitted?

If you find yourself with more commitments than time to meet them, it may seem like a procrastination issue. However, it’s likely a sign that you’re taking on more than you can manage. You simply don’t have enough time. Putting things off and failing to finish what you start are all responses to feeling overwhelmed.

(That’s a topic for another day—or feel free to give me a call!)

2.     Do you have a plan? Are you hoping for an unexpected break in your day, a free evening, or a commitment-free weekend to tackle your list?  If there’s no time set aside to get to your list, procrastination isn’t the problem. You have a priority management and time management issue. Hoping for time creation – that’s wishful thinking, not a plan. (Closely related to overcommitment, see above.)

3.     If you still feel that you’re procrastinating, look at the list of tasks and ask yourself why:

·       Is it something you don’t like to do?

·       Is it something I don’t want to do? (Uncomfortable? Difficult?)

·       Does the task require deep focus or a big block of time?

·       Are you generally feeling demotivated or low energy?

Reframe procrastination – it’s information.

When it shows up, pay attention, get curious, and figure out what problem you need to solve. Then….make a plan.

Just Do It.

Get back to what you do best: leading. Get back to who you are #notaprocrastinator!