Struggling with Procrastination
Why am I struggling with Procrastination?
Procrastination is the habitual postponement of tasks, often resulting in added stress, a rush to meet deadlines or a failure to meet obligations. It is a common barrier to productivity that undermines an individual’s ability to perform effectively and efficiently.
How It Can Show Up:
Those who procrastinate might experience a lack of motivation, persistent feelings of guilt, as well as shame for being seen as lazy and not able to do things that seem easy to others. Procrastination might show up as cleaning the apartment, being on social media or eating instead doing planned tasks. The effects of procrastination can surface as missed opportunities, inadequate work quality, and strained personal and professional relationships.
Where It Might Originate From:
Procrastination might originate from a fear of failure, perfectionism, a lack of motivation or difficulty in managing time. Additionally, it can be a learned response to overwhelming tasks or an avoidance tactic for dealing with complex emotions associated with certain activities. Oftentimes, it also accompanies people who have experienced childhood trauma or are neurodivergent (e.g. ADHD or autism).
OUR FOCUS
How coaching can help
- Coaching addresses procrastination by helping individuals understand its root causes and by teaching them strategies to overcome it.
- A coach can assist in setting clear, achievable goals, breaking tasks into manageable steps, and creating accountability systems.
- Through coaching, individuals learn to replace avoidance behaviors with proactive habits and to find motivation by focusing on the benefits of task completion.