Ever found yourself putting off tasks until the last minute or struggling to start on a project?
You’re not alone.
This week, I dive into the psychology behind procrastination and share personal experiences and strategies that have helped transform procrastination into productivity, especially during my time at Midshire.
Unraveling the Psychology of Procrastination
Firstly, there have been so many instances where I’ve come across this issue with clients that I felt the need to do some investigation. I was amazed to learn that it’s a known issue, actually a psychological defence mechanism. The brain has a dislike for uncertain outcomes, so it encourages you to put them off and makes distractions more attractive.
Procrastination isn’t just about poor time management or laziness; it stems from deeper psychological triggers. Fear of failure, overwhelming tasks, unclear goals, and a preference for instant gratification all play significant roles. Understanding these triggers is the first step toward developing effective strategies to combat procrastination.
Overcoming Procrastination at Midshire
When I was at Midshire, I sometimes felt I was driving a runaway train. We were growing fast, the market place was evolving and changing daily. We were incredibly busy.
So, if someone came up with a good idea, my fear was if we didn’t grasp it immediately, the opportunity would probably never come around again. So my fear of the uncertain outcome outweighed my fear of missing out on an opportunity forever.
As an example, our marketing team decided that our logo and strapline ‘Midshire Business Systems’ needed a refresh as it meant nothing to anyone in the new digital IT-led world we were living in.
We immediately stopped the board meeting and brought in a team of people from all departments who would become the working group for this project.
We discussed the ideal outcome and put some dates in the diary over a 3-month period to work through what turned out to be a complex and highly emotive decision.
By working collaboratively and being accountable to each other for the timescales, we finally came up with a really good result. The finished design went right through the company and totally transformed the look of the business. This was done in 3 months from start to finish. But only because we started immediately.
We made lots of mistakes and discarded countless designs, but we worked together to our timescale and got it done. Final version?
‘Midshire Technology for your Office’
This real-life scenario at Midshire illustrates the effectiveness of facing procrastination head-on with decisive action and collaboration. By committing to a course of action and maintaining accountability, we transformed a potential stall into a significant advancement for the company.
Strategies to Beat Procrastination
To tackle procrastination effectively, consider the following strategies that can be adapted for both personal and professional settings:
1. Optimal Timing: Engage in challenging tasks during your peak hours of alertness. Whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, aligning difficult tasks with your natural productivity spikes can yield better results.
2. Viewing Failure Differently: Embrace failures as stepping stones. Each misstep offers a valuable lesson that forms part of your growth strategy.
3. Prioritisation and Delegation: Make a daily list of tasks, focusing only on those that are critical and personal to you. Delegate the rest. This frees up your mental space and energy for high-priority projects.
4. Managing Distractions: It’s normal to get sidetracked. The key is to return to your planned tasks quickly. Keep your daily goals visible to remind you of what needs to be achieved.
5. Breaking Down Tasks: For large projects, form a dedicated team and break the project into manageable chunks. Set clear outcomes and fixed timelines to maintain focus and momentum.
6. Seeking Guidance: When in doubt, consult peers or a mentor. Openness to seeking help not only alleviates uncertainties but also accelerates your progress.
7. Accountability Partnerships: Share your goals with a trusted individual who can hold you accountable. Regular check-ins can significantly boost your commitment to your tasks.
8. Flexibility in Methods: While being firm on your goals, stay flexible in how you achieve them. The path to success isn’t linear; be prepared to adapt your strategies as needed.
Newton’s Law says that an object in motion tends to stay in motion. A resting object stays resting. If your business is standing still, it will remain there until acted on by another force.
You are that force!
Embracing this mindset is crucial. Understanding the psychological roots of procrastination and applying structured, practical strategies can transform both individual and organisational productivity.
If you’re ready to break the cycle of delay and start making significant progress, it’s time to act.
Start small, but start now!
Shift from inaction to constant movement and keep refining your processes until they become seamless parts of your operations.
Key Takeaways
1. Procrastination often stems from a fear of uncertain outcomes, but can be managed by understanding and strategising.
2. Immediate action and collaboration can transform daunting changes into success (as demonstrated with the Midshire rebranding)
3. Simple, actionable steps can effectively combat procrastination and foster productivity.
Need advice with overcoming procrastination in your business? I’m here to help.