Procrastination is Not Laziness 

Procrastination isn’t just a lack of motivation; it’s a form of self-sabotage. Why do we delay tasks that could lead us to our goals and desired feelings? As humans, we gravitate toward comfort and familiarity, even if it means steering away from our objectives. We prefer predictability, which can lead us to clean the house or bake a cake instead of making that crucial call or completing an essential assignment. Procrastination offers a sense of control; it allows us to predict failure or shrink ourselves to fit into perceived expectations.

Top Tips to Combat Procrastination

Lists Are Your Friend

Creating lists can help prioritize tasks and provide a sense of accomplishment as you tick off completed items. Consider dividing tasks into categories like “Today,” “Tomorrow,” and “This Week” to stay organized and focused.

The Visualisation Technique

Take a moment to calm your mind with deep breathing. Then, visualize the consequences of continued procrastination. Imagine…

If you carry on putting the things off that are weighing heavy on your mind, where that will lead you?

How would it start to affect your day to day life if you didn’t start the task in mind?

Would it affect your health, wellbeing, shape, or size?

Would it negatively affect others as well as yourself?

Will it affect your income if you do not act on what you are putting off? 

How would you feel a month from now if you left this issue unresolved?

How would life look for you if you left this for a whole year?

What about five or ten years?

Do you feel overwhelmed, or miserable, as whatever we are not changing we are choosing, this can make us feel overwhelmed?

Or do you realise you have been focusing on something that is not that important and there are other ways to get to where you want to be?

Maybe now, you can assess if it is or is not that important to you. Now shake that feeling off and again, take a long slow deep breath.

Feel into the end result of completing tasks. Visualize yourself saying ‘NO THANK YOU’ to that extra cookie, prioritizing your health and wellbeing. Imagine addressing important issues and booking overdue appointments, feeling the inner pride and satisfaction of taking action. Celebrate the sense of achievement and visualize your future self guiding you towards success.

Take Action Today

Don’t postpone tasks unnecessarily. Procrastination often stems from fear or uncertainty, but taking small steps can build momentum and alleviate anxiety. Remember, what you’re not changing, you’re choosing.

We never know what tomorrow will bring so do not put off until tomorrow what can be done today! I learnt this at Christmas where I trapped my hand in the car and I couldn’t do anything for a whole month. Then in February when I had lots of video workshops and interviews to do that I was procrastinating on, I lost my voice. This taught me a valuable lesson. GET IT DONE.

Harnessing the Power of Hypnotherapy

Sometimes, old habits persist because our conscious willpower isn’t enough to overcome subconscious barriers. Hypnotherapy offers a relaxing and effective way to access the subconscious mind and remove self-sabotaging blocks. My clients often see results after just one session, gaining insight into the origins of their procrastination and acquiring tools to apply across all areas of life.

Final Thoughts

Don’t let procrastination hold you back from achieving your goals. By acknowledging its roots and implementing practical strategies like list-making and visualisation, you can overcome procrastination and embrace productivity. Remember, the path to success begins with taking action today, not tomorrow.