Overcoming Procrastination

Posted on November 16th, 2010 by Todd Smith - View Comments |Click here to print

We all procrastinate at some time or other—it’s part of being human. We frequently put off doing things that we know we should do for a multitude of reasons. In today’s lesson you will learn why most people procrastinate and how to overcome procrastination and become a Do-It-Now person.

Why Become a Do-It-Now Person?

The most valuable benefits of being a person who performs responsibilities in a timely manner include an improved self-image and stronger self-confidence. In our careers, we will be more respected, produce at a higher level, and be offered opportunities for advancement. In our personal lives, we will enjoy more meaningful relationships, be a better example to our children, and find greater fulfillment from life.

On the other end of the spectrum, when you consistently put things off and fail to follow through with your responsibilities and commitments, the results can be devastating. Common effects include depression, guilt, poor productivity, social disapproval, unemployment, reduced wages, and low self-worth.

Procrastination is the deferment of tasks to a later time. Because of the simplicity of the definition, one might think the solution is also simple—to do what you know you should do even though you don’t feel like doing it. But, it’s not that easy for many people.

Common Causes of Procrastination

The first step in overcoming procrastination is to understand why you procrastinate. If you don’t understand something, you can’t control it. If you can’t control it, you can’t change it.

Let’s take a look at some of the main causes of procrastination. Make a note of the one’s you feel are at the root of your problem.

  • Feeling another time would be better. You believe that tomorrow you will be fresher and better prepared to do it.
  • Poor planning.  You underestimate how long something will take. This is a common problem when taking on unfamiliar projects and responsibilities.
  • Fearful of the outcome.  Your fear of rejection or disapproval, of failure or even success keep you from tackling the job.
  • Feeling overburdened.  Discouragement, anxiety and stress are results from feeling overwhelmed and out of control and can cause you to procrastinate.
  • Lack of confidence.  You have a low evaluation of yourself and your abilities; you avoid accepting/doing an assignment.
  • Poor concentration.  You find it difficult to stay focused on the job until it is complete.
  • Feeling uncomfortable.  You tend to put off activities that make you feel stretched beyond what you have done before. You prefer to stay in your comfort zone.
  • Inadequate motivation.  The outcome is not truly important to you so you’re not motivated to start the task.
  • Fulfilling your beliefs.  You believe you are a procrastinator, so you live up to your expectations of yourself.

Methods for Overcoming Procrastination

Once you identify the cause of your procrastination, you then need to identify one or more solutions that will allow you to take control of your responsibilities and commitments and do them in a timely manner. Here are some solutions that will help all of us be more disciplined in doing what we should do.

  • Get clear on what’s important to you. Make sure the things you are pursuing are things that are deeply important to you. Then spend your time pursuing them and saying no to the things that aren’t important.
  • Believe you can. Refuse to believe anything negative about yourself or your abilities. You are an amazing creation. Adopt the attitude that you can do anything you put your mind to, because you can.
  • Work from a prioritized Daily To-Do List One of the best ways to overcome procrastination is to get organized and start keeping a prioritized To-Do List. After you complete your list, make a commitment to yourself that you will work the list in priority sequence and not skip over any tasks.
  • Learn how to plan and organize projects. When you have a project that will require one or more hours of your time, block out time in your schedule to work on the project. This allows you to focus on your work without distractions.
  • Do the easy things. Start doing the easy things that will build your confidence such as answering your email, taking out the overflowing garbage, and making the bed. As you build your confidence in doing the little things, you will feel more confident and motivated to do the bigger things.

  • Encourage yourself. When you push yourself to do something you know you should do but don’t feel like doing, congratulate yourself. Become your biggest fan.
  • Make a commitment to overcome procrastination. If you really want to win the procrastination battle to advance your life personally and professionally and improve how you view and feel about yourself, make the commitment that you will become a Do-It-NOW person.

My Challenge

Print out this lesson and study it. Spend some quiet time thinking about why you procrastinate and what led to the problem. When you feel you are clear on your reasons, put into writing the steps you are committed to take to overcome procrastination. Then push yourself harder than you have ever pushed yourself to do the things you know you should do when you should do them. It won’t be easy but, with focus and determination, you can do it.

Because procrastination can have devastating consequences, it’s to your advantage to take action today.  Don’t procrastinate conquering your procrastination.

Have you struggled with procrastination? What has helped you in winning the procrastination battle?  Please share your insights in the comment section below this post.

About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 30 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s lessons, subscribe here. All Todd’s lessons are also available on iTunes as downloadable podcasts. (Todd’s podcasts are ranked #27 in America’s top 100 podcasts and #1 in the personal and development field.)

Related Posts:

Your Greatest Obstacle

The Hidden Benefit of Discipline

The Power of Personal Initiative

Our Lives are a Mirror Image of the Little Decisions we Make

The Importance of Being On Time

My Top Time Management Tip

My Second Best Time Management Tip

Commitment: Its Purpose and Power

Consistency Wins the Race

What Is Easy to Do Is Easy Not to Do

What’s Your Brand?

What’s Your Value to the Market?

Stand Out From the Crowd

Who Do I Have To Become To Get What I Want?

How to Prepare and Plan for New Projects

Learn to Enjoy What You Don’t Enjoy

How to Put Together an Action Plan

11 Ways to Increase Your Discipline

What To Do When You Are Overwhelmed

The Toilet Bowl Syndrome

How to Move Up The Pay Scale

Believe That You Can

The Power of Self-Talk

The Uncomfortable Path to Success

FREE Audio Program by Brian Tracy
  • EmailEmail
  • FacebookFacebook
  • TwitterTwitter
  • StumbleUponStumbleUpon
  • DiggDigg
  • Del.icio.usDelicious
  • RedditReddit
  • GoogleBuzz
  • ShareThis

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,


  • Linda_duvall
    This is a great post. When I was younger I never procrastinated. I did the things I didn't like first to get them done but now as I get older I find myself putting off the things I don't like. After reading your post I truly believe it is not always the things I don't like but that I feel so overwhelmed because I have so many different things happening in my life right now that I do procrastinate because I am not sure what to do next.

    I will do as you say and break things down and do little steps at a time and get them done. Thanks so much I am passing this along to my son and husband.
  • Hi Linda,

    I would bet there are millions of other adults who feel just as you described. As I read your comment, there is one word that came to my mind. "Priorities"

    The question you need to ask yourself is, "Am I spending my time on the most important things?" If the answer is yes, you are not procrastinating. If the answer is no, then you're likely procrastinating.

    If you're really procrastinating, don't place blame. Every procrastinator blames and makes excuses. That is how they become procrastinator's.

    If you work off a "To Do" list, let me recommend reading my post titled, "My Top Time Management Tip" from [February 2, 2010]

    When you work on things in prioritized sequence, as this lesson describes, you will fill confident that you doing what you should be doing in the right sequence.

    There is a reason it's titled, "My Top Time Management Tip." t could be also called, "The Most Important Tip to Achieving Your Goals."

    Thanks for being open and sharing the transition you have gone through.

    Awareness is the starting point of improvement.

    Todd
  • Procrastination, oh my. Sometimes it can be blamed on perfection. I have been thinking about starting a blog for a long time now, reading articles of advice, looking at various host venues, waiting until I found the "perfect" host site, the right terms of service. Do I understand all the nuances of copyright and have something really groundbreaking to say? I could wait until the dishes are washed, until I feel good physically, or until the cows come home. Not gonna happen. So, I started them anyway. Yes, some things could be better; they're not perfect, but they're up, and I can continue to tweak and learn and improve as I go. Ya think?
  • Hi Janelle,

    Congratulations on getting your blog set up. I wish you the best. Be sure to study this blog. Everything you see, I learned from studying other successful blogs.

    Todd
  • Hi Todd,

    procrastination is a silent killer, that's for sure. It kills dreams and potentially fulfilled lives. One of the most important abilities I had to learn too is certainly the ability to say "no" to people. Or in other words: Only to say "yes" if we truly want to, for whatever reason.

    I also have some things here on my desk I procrastinate - let's procrastinate procrastination.

    Thanks for sharing your insights.

    Take care

    Oliver
  • Thanks Oliver! Learning to say "No" took me many years!
  • Hi Todd,

    I used to procrastinate all the time! Your previous post on "Work from a Prioritized Daily To Do List" has helped me to stay organized, be more productive and take action and procrastinate less! It's one challenge to have to work on myself but in my business I have to help others with the same challenge. I teach them the daily activities that are required for them to succeed. When they ask what I've done to reach my level of success, I show them my calendar! It's important for them to understand that the sooner they take action the sooner they will see results!

    I also believe setting aside some time to work on myself by reading success books, the LTM Blog or listening to motivational CDs helps with my mindset and motivates me to take action and stop making excuses and putting things off.

    I also accept your challenge, I will print out this lesson and study it - probably next week! Just kidding Todd.

    Thanks for the great tips!

    Dana
  • Hi Dana,

    Before I respond to your comment, I want to first thank you for your thoughtful anniversary card. That was a pleasant surprise.

    I am glad you implemented what I taught a few months back on putting together a prioritized to do list. The reason I named that post "My Top Time Management Tip" is because it can do more to improve people's productivity than anything else.

    I love to read how you are leading your team and your personal commitment to getting better.

    I wish you the best of continued success! You are a one percenter...meaning less than 1% of the people in our country are as committed as you to growing and developing themselves.

    Congratulations!

    Todd
  • Even for people who are for the most part productive and successful, procrastination can rear its ugly head. The key for me is to capture the feeling when I've finally overcome the procrastination, begun the project and say to myself, "why did I wait so long; this is going to be great! Remembering how I felt and what I accomplished prevents-not always :) but for the most part, procrastination in the future.
  • Hey Ronnie,

    You are right. Other than the comment below yours, I think all of us procrastinate at times. There is a lot we can learn from the times we do procrastinate, if we learn from them.

    Thanks for your contribution.

    Todd
  • Tnmason
    I guess this article is needed by the positive postings here. Me, I am on my second painting of the day. I never procrastinate. My problem is recognizing that something else counts besides my passion for painting. So I don't get procrastination. I have never procrastinated no matter whether I was passionate about my previous career in behavioral science or raising my daughter alone. It was all a grand adventure to me. Perhaps this is somewhat genetic? My daughter rose each morning saying ..."It's a brand new baby day. Let's go!" And at 35 with two kids of her own....she is exactly the same at 35 as she was at 2. She doesn't get procrastination either.

    Just a thought. I feel for people who have trouble focusing down and getting going. But I wonder, hearing it all and never having had one moment of procrastination, whether there might be some genetic component at work here...

    Terry
  • Hi Terry,

    I think in your case, it may be genetic. I have never met anyone who said they've never procrastinated. If you can figure out what part of your DNA is responsible, you could be a gazillionaire. :-)

    Thanks for sharing your good fortune.

    Todd
  • Ah, procrastination, this familiar yet sneaky beast that seems to follow us like a shadow. Thanks for the lessons, Todd. I personally find breaking a project into smaller, manageable pieces very useful and calming. I'd then concentrate on finishing one task at a time to get over the tremendous inertia which is not unlike a big road stuck in the middle of the road. One stone at a time, one stone at a time...
  • HI Wee Peng,

    I agree that breaking big projects into small pieces really helps.

    Thanks for sharing what works for you.

    Todd
  • elramirez
    Many thanks for this powerful lesson and linking up with other of your great resources. I'll certainly devote some time to study it thoroughly because procrastination is my big giant battle. TY Todd.
  • HI Lenny,

    Thanks for your comment. This lesson did tie in perfectly to many of my past lessons. If you are committed to overcoming procrastination, you can do it.

    Todd
  • elramirez
    I believe i can! and your teachings and example are the perfect blueprint. Many thanks!
  • Found this post, it is helpful to me, maybe to you too.
  • HI Kay,

    This post was helpful to me as well. I thought overcoming procrastination was as easy as pushing yourself to do, what you know you should do, but after doing considerable research on the subject, I learned that for some people it is not so simple.

    Thanks for stopping by to comment.

    Todd
  • Thank you for the post. I am a Procrasternater, now, I've said it, admitted it. Thanks for the steps to change my inactions into positive actions. Lately I have seen this same trait in my daughter. Not a pretty picture, first I have to improve myself. I printed this for both of us. Thanks.
  • Kay,

    Your example will have a big impact on your daughter.

    I wish you the best.

    Todd
  • Pam St Laurent
    Hi Todd!

    Something that recently helped me achieve some goals I'm excited about is momentum. I took advantage of the energy I used in preparing for a trip.

    I always get the most done when I am going to be away from home for a few days or more. This time I started getting ready for the trip two and a half weeks prior, used my anticipation of enjoying a vacation with my siblings to motivate me. Since I started my mindset early I challenged myself even more by envisioning what I would like to come home to.

    Still smiling over what I was able to accomplish. Now, I'm excited every day, can't wait to see what's next...the motivation is perpetual! Thanks always for Little Things Matter!
  • HI Pam,

    Sounds like an interesting concept.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Todd
  • Welcome Back Todd,
    Procrastination can sneak up on any of us. Your nine point tips are on the money lessons for us all.

    I accept your challenge and will make the time to do the assignment today. Then again tomorrow might be better for me unless something comes up. Maybe I could do it Thursday or Friday at the latest as long as I don’t start my weekend early.

    “There are several ways to stop procrastinating and I’ll tell you tomorrow.”
    - K.J. Kilroy Was Here!

    To The Show that Never Ends,
    Kevin J. Kilroy
  • ROFL -- enjoyed your post a lot!
  • HI Kevin,

    I am on my flight from ALT to Sarasota. I can't wait to get home.

    You are right. The best time to stop procrastinating is tomorrow. :-)

    Have a great day!

    Todd
  • Bill
    Todd, another great lesson and well timed. At this time of year many start to feel the pressure of not having accomplished what they " intended" at the beginning of the year. This effects them in many ways as you have stated. (FUD) Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt grab our thoughts and we loose confidence, etc. Knowing your "why" and learning the "what and how's" are keys to changing. We then can prioritize our priorities and create a task list of the important. Our belief system goes us as we feel more confident and competent. We then get our "intentions" into goals and actions. Having a good planning too help us put things in order and then do them in order. Thanks again.
  • Hi Bill,

    Yes, you are right. This is the time of year we reflect on the last 11-12 months and prepare for the new year. As you pointed out, for many people it is a discouraging time of year.

    What are some topics you think I should write about as we head into a new year?

    I value your wisdom.

    Todd
  • Like I always say, "Procrastination is dwelling in yesterday's success." Great post. Thanks you for sharing.
  • Thanks Donald!
  • *****
    Great post again. This is a problem that is reaching pandemic proportions. I, myself started
    battling it for the last couple of years.
    Your guidelines will for sure help gain a new perspective and hopefully get a grip on it.
    Thank you, regards.
  • Hi Ernesto,

    I think procrastination is one of most people's biggest challenges. Most of us in America know what we need to do. They key is doing it.

    I am glad you found value in my lesson.

    Take care,

    Todd
  • Anne
    Hello Todd,

    I am looking forward to your new posts every day. Thank you for sharing with us your tips and advices that I find very CLEAR and easy to put in action. I found your site very helpful to maintain the process of questioning about oneself and to enhance our performances in every part of our life.
    I also do enjoy the audio recording (you are very easy to understand for a french person!!)

    My best regards,
    Anne
  • Hi Anne,

    Thanks for your kind words, both about the quality of my posts and my audio recordings.

    I wish you the bset,

    Todd
blog comments powered by Disqus