The Truth Behind Procrastination

When it comes to doing things we really like doing, we need little persuasion to do them. We don't procrastinate, we just leap in and seize any opportunity to do what we love because that makes us happy.

We're all familiar with it - the tendency to put off doing something we know we suppose to do. Procrastination affects us all from time to time, even the most motivated.

While it's easy to see this as inefficient and unproductive, it's also a sign of unhappiness and lack of alignment.

Look at it this way.

When it comes to doing things we really like doing, we need little persuasion to do them. We don't procrastinate, we just leap in and seize any opportunity to do what we love because that makes us happy.

On the other hand, when we're faced with the so called 'task aversion' - doing things we don't want to do - we opt to do something else instead, which makes us feel better, at least temporarily.

Sometimes putting things off works in our favour, and what we feared does simply 'go away'. More often though, putting things off doesn't make them go away, instead it just keeps them piling up.

So, what are the main reasons why we keep procrastinating about certain things?

- When we find something difficult or don't know how to do it.

- When we're unsure about what we are meant to do in the first place - if we don't know the right steps to take, how can we take them?

- When we think something is so out of our comfort zone that even getting started with the smallest of steps is a step too far.

- When we believe that a task is going to be somehow painful, complicated, frustrating and/or time consuming.

- When we believe a task's unworthy of our time and so would rather focus our attentions elsewhere on something more interesting.

But there is another way of looking at procrastination. Rather than seeing it as a sign of weakness or confusion, we can see it as an indicator that our lives aren't in tune with what we actually want or are interested in. Used this way, it can be a catalyst for change.

Think about it. Maybe what you are procrastinating over, you shouldn't be doing in the first place. Perhaps your time really would be better spent doing something else that is more aligned with who you are and what you want more of in life.

That's particularly true when it comes to our work or career, also in our relationships. In this environments, if you procrastinate excessively, you keep creating stressful conditions that are not good for your overall well being or health.

So if you find yourself constantly putting off doing things, at work or in any aspect of your life, take this as a sign that it's time to reflect on why this keeps happening. Be honest with yourself, because only by aligning what you do with your skills, interests and passions will make you feel good aboit yourself and your life.

Maybe it really is the moment to make some important life decisions!

Now I would love to hear from you.

What do you keep procrastinating about? And what are you going to do about it?

Be generous with your comments, your experiences also inspire others.

And if you have enjoyed this article, then please share it with others.

Looking for more inspiration from the Award winning author, speaker and coach Maite Baron, then download 2 free chapters from her Nautilus 2014 Award winning book Corporate Escape The Rise of the New Entrepreneur. With the bonus that you will receive her weekly thought provoking updates. Get your download here.

With gratitude,

Maite

Close