Why Do We Procrastinate Doing the Things We Love to Do
Some research and personal tips inspired by many
What it is about opening a document on the computer and just writing that sends you off to do anything but the task at hand?
Even if it’s just a simple prompt no one will ever see, a letter no one will read, a doodle we’ll never share — why is there such paralysis to just starting?
I’m a writer.
I can write and write well so, what holds me back?
After watching a few videos from Skillsoft and Thomas Frank on procrastination, I feel I have a better understanding along with some tips that will hopefully help you as well.
As they say, knowledge is power.
The Three Culprits
There are many reasons people procrastinate but upon research, they seem to land under three categories: Fear of failure, Perfectionism, and avoidance of bad feelings or stress.
Another theory has been that procrastination can be described as a problem with executive function — making executive decisions — which is the skill that allows us to plan, prioritize, and carry out tasks.
As old as humankind, Hesiod, an ancient Greek poet generally thought to have been alive around 750 BC wrote, “Works and Day” which shows this is not a new concept but stems back centuries.
“Do not put your work off till tomorrow and the day after; for a sluggish worker does not fill his barn, nor one who puts off his work…a man who puts off his work is always at hand-grips with ruin.”
We know when it comes to mundane tasks, we’re more likely to avoid them, but what about the tasks we actually want to do — why do we procrastinate those?
My theory is that the stakes are higher since we place value on this one task. We admire its potential before we’ve even started so basically, the pressure is on. Now, we’re back to avoiding those unpleasant feelings of stress and choosing to hold off the potential disappointment of a failed outcome — a failure by our own litmus.
One thing I’m learning is that being self-aware about why I delay tasks can be a powerful tool that makes it easier to change the problem.
Ask yourself,
Why am I procrastinating on this thing that I genuinely want to do?
Am I overwhelmed? If so, why? Is it fear of failure and wanting to avoid those unpleasant emotions?
Whatever the answer is, confronting it gives it less power and makes it less intimidating. Ignoring it is feeding the symptom which will only worsen the issue.
Once you’ve identified why you’ve been avoiding this activity, there are some tips I’ve gathered that make approaching the tasks more feasible.
Get Clear About What Needs to Get Done
Create a list of the three main projects you want to tackle.
You can then break them down into smaller tasks with shorter deadlines which aid in getting that feeling of accomplishment quicker. It’s also a great idea to immediately set the next small job’s deadline soon after.
For example, when it comes to writing, the Pomodoro approach is a popular one. Don’t try to do it all at once. Do short 15 to 25-minute sprints with short breaks in between to get the momentum going which will then make the project feel less overwhelming.
Treat Yourself
Give yourself rewards after like a tea, coffee, hot cocoa, or snacks. Find an incentive that won’t pull you out of the flow you’ve now created like watching a show or video. If you’re going to watch a 10 to 15-minute video, let it be on the topic you are currently working on as further motivation.
The Creative Process Has No Room for Perfectionism
Especially when it comes to the projects we genuinely care about doing, we have to come to terms with the reality that there will never be a right time, a perfect setup or space, and there will never be a perfect first attempt at anything.
If we as creatives are going to answer the call we know we’ve felt within, we have to embrace the mess, let perfectionism go, and allow for a process, not an instant result.
Tips to Move on From Being the Procrastinating Perfectionist
Here’s my take on the steps you can find in Thomas Frank’s YouTube video on stopping procrastination, especially when it comes to the tasks we genuinely desire to do.
1. Forgive yourself for any prior procrastination.
That one was a big one for me because, ironically, one of the things that feed my procrastination is the guilt I place on myself for not doing the things I feel I should. Then we find ourselves back in that place of avoidance. It’s a vicious cycle.
2. Redefine what your success looks like.
In other words, if the goal for the task was one thing, shift the perspective on it and make it something more attainable. Set a new deadline if your current one is unrealistic now due to the circumstances. Perhaps getting one page written instead of five is the new goal that’ll lead to success for that day or week.
Help yourself succeed where you find you are now, at this point in time.
3. Remove the distractions.
A given, but truly, remove all short-term distractions. Clear your space both in person and on your computer if you’re working on it. If your usual workspace isn’t doing it for you, switch locations. Go to the living room, dining room table, library, or outdoor coffee shop space.
No setting will be “perfect” — there's that word again. It’s only a trap for further procrastination. Make the decision to do the thing, pick a spot, sit down, and set yourself to do the project and succeed. Try one of those Productivity apps like The Forest, to measure your 15–25 minute sprints.
If necessary, have a brain dump post-it on hand or on your computer where you can write tasks or errands that pop to mind during your short work sprint session. Jot it down for later and alleviate any worry of forgetting it.
There were many great takeaways from his video but these three points resonated with me the most. In the end, everyone is going to deal with their procrastination struggles differently, especially if the root behind it is different than yours.
We all put things off. It’s human of us to do so. I believe the delay we place on the things we desire to get done are the ones that cut the deepest and can sink us deeper into the vicious cycle.
Give yourself some kindness and understanding and then, one day at a time, take inspired action by taking on one small task after another towards your goals.
