My number one tip for overcoming procrastination

I've been doing a lot of research into procrastination recently for an online course I've written on productivity.  I uncovered loads of loads of great tips and 'hacks' for overcoming procrastination. Lots of cunning methods of tricking yourself into greater productivity but none of the dozens and dozens of the articles or books I read addressed the cause of procrastination. 

Mostly procrastination is not a serious thing. It's mostly a question of putting off decorating your spare room or reviewing your finances but if you're dealing with a bigger issue then these little tricks won't cut it. 

My number one tip for beating procrastination 

If you keep putting off something indefinitely then do this: 

Ask yourself: "What is the benefit of procrastinating?" 

That's it. You just need to answer that one question. 

Ignore the logical answers, the benefit of procrastinating will be emotional. That's why we have the conflict, it's a battle between the logical reason to do something that has benefits in the future versus the more intense emotional reason we have not to do something now. Address the reason the reason you have been putting something off and the desire to procrastinate will fade away. 

Yes it's a lovely spread but she was supposed to submit her tax return three weeks ago

The six top reasons people procrastinate

Still not sure why you procrastinate.? Here are the six common reasons why people typically put things off.

Avoid discomfort

This is where you procrastinate to delay taking action to avoid something unpleasant whether that's effort, confrontation, pain or anything that you suspect won't feel good. Simple examples are paying a bill or doing chores but more serious examples might including not ending a relationship that isn't working to avoid the arguments or not looking for a new job because you hate interviews. However unpleasant the task ahead it's not usually as unpleasant as the consequences of not doing it.  

It's not the right time

This is where people put emotional barriers in the way of getting a task done. Telling themselves "I'm too stressed" or "I'm not in the mood right now" or "I can't do this now with so much else going on". We use the emotions we are experiencing as a reason to not to take action until the 'right time'. The problem with the right time is that it never comes. There's always something.  

I'm working on it

This is procrastinating under the illusion of making progress by occupying yourself by doing lots of 'stuff'. It's when we say "I'm working on it" or "it's in the planning stages". You might do some internet research, planning or take tiny superficial steps but not actually achieve anything. You may be doing 'things' but It's still procrastination.  

Fear of failure

This is when people procrastinate because they worry that if they do what they are supposed to do they are going to be judged or that they will fail. For example, someone might set a goal to gain a promotion. However, they are worried that if they are successful in getting the promotion they won't be good enough at the role and other people will know so they stop doing the things that will get them promoted. The 'logic' is that if they don't try they won't ever fail. The problem is by not doing the things that will get them promoted people will soon begin to think that they aren't good enough for the role anyway-the very thing they were looking to avoid. It doesn't make sense but fear is a funny thing. Just remember what Henry Ford said, "Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently."  

Fear of success

This is far more common than you think. By procrastinating some people put off taking action because they are terrified of success. What will that mean? If they succeed at this task what else will people expect? If I ask someone on a date will I have to love again will I get my heart broken? If I get that promotion will my peers still think the same of me? If I earn more money will people think I've changed? When you think about it there are loads of reasons why someone might put off success. The question is will you allow yourself to be successful?  

It has to be perfect

Some people procrastinate using the fact that something won't be perfect as an excuse not to do it at all. It's an attitude of, if I can't do it perfectly then I just won't do it". But who would even know it isn't perfect? Aim for 80%, at launch of a project or a new initiative, usually by the time you've unveiled your work it needs tweaking and updating anyway.  

It drives someone else crazy

Sometimes procrastination is an act of rebellion. Not getting around to that chore might feel like a victory over your spouse or house-mates but surely there's a better way of making your feelings known to them without sabotaging yourself? Otherwise, when you think about it, they've won anyway. 

So how to overcome procrastination? 

Identify the reason your procrastinating, face up to it, deal with it and you'll get rid of that internal struggle 

What do you think? 

Do you procrastinate? 

When and why do you do it?

How do overcome the problem?

What tips you have for beating it?