Procrastination often gets a bad rap. It’s frequently mistaken for laziness or a lack of discipline. But let’s clear the air—procrastination is not a personal flaw. Procrastination is something nearly everyone experiences, but recognizing the reasons behind it is the key to moving past it.
Maybe that’s why we invented New Year’s resolutions—to push ourselves beyond our comfort zones. It is curious, really. Animals do not wake up with a list of resolutions just because the calendar flipped. Your cat, stretched out on the couch, is not worried about milestones. Your feline friend isn’t tying their self-worth to how many tasks they check off. 🐈
From writing a cat memoir, I learned that cats are masters at enjoying the moment—whether it is a sunbeam or a cardboard box. They never feel the need to reinvent themselves. Maybe, beneath our drive to be better, it is the weight of social expectations quietly urging us on.
From Why Do We Procrastinate?
1. The Task Doesn’t Align With Your IdentitySometimes, what we are “supposed” to do doesn’t match who we are. For example, if you are a proud foodie, forcing down a murky green detox juice feels like betraying your taste buds—especially after announcing a weight loss goal to your family at the start of January. It's simply not for you. Hence, resistance is natural.
2. Anticipation of Failure
We might start expecting failure before we even begin. I know this from experience. I’m a dreamer, and while that fuels my ambition, it also sets me up for disappointment. My brain tend to filter out the brutally realistic advice and cling to underdog success stories. But when reality hits and things don’t go as planned, I start expecting failure before I even begin. When a motivational speaker chirps, 'If you are not failing, you are not trying,' I just want to roll my eyes. 😅
3. The Task Is Plain Boring
Or maybe the task is just mind-numbingly dull. Sometimes, it really is that simple.
From Delay to Done
1. Reevaluate the Task
First, take a pause and ask yourself if that item on your to-do list truly needs your attention. Maybe it does not—or can be outsourced.
2. Make Room for Dessert 🎂
Imagine the satisfaction of enjoying dessert after finishing your vegetables—the task off your plate, leaving only sweetness behind. The longer you avoid it, the more it sits there, making it harder to savor anything else. Tackle it now, and treat yourself to that well-earned reward.
3. Treat It Like a Chore
You don’t need a grand reason to brush your teeth or wash the dishes—you just do it. Approach your task the same way. Use tech tools to make it easier, and if it’s something you can do on autopilot, put on your favorite playlist or show in the background.
4. Add Pleasant Cues
Pleasant cues can turn even the most mundane tasks into something to look forward to. For me, the promise of hazelnut coffee gets me out of bed with a little more enthusiasm.
If you need another example, just look at the cat lady from my memoir: she treats herself to fancy manicures. Although she had retired, she returned to work to pay the vet bills for the strays that arrived at her door. With an impressive business background, she’s probably overqualified for her current role. Still, she finds joy in the little things—like admiring her polished nails while typing on the computer. That’s such a clever way to brighten up the workday.
Forecast your own "weather" and use a few simple, practical strategies to boost your productivity. Shake off that ghost of procrastination and let yourself flow toward your goals, just like a river rushing along after a fresh rain. You’ve got this! ✨
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