Procrastination is not the problem per se. People usually procrastinate on low value activities. The problem is when you procrastinate in something that you must do.
Why do we often procrastinate on something when we’ve spent all the previous evening or week planning for it? It’s usually on the important tasks without deadlines that you’ll probably find yourself procrastinating.
Fortunately, with some self discipline, you’ve been able to reduce this behavior but still, reducing a problem is not solving it, so there has to be a reason why we keep procrastinating on important stuff.
The reason we procrastinate.
I recently found the reason why we procrastinate on important tasks, and the reason is simple: fear. Not only the fear that something could go wrong, but also the fear that something could work as expected. It’s the fear of change that worries us, the famous comfort zone.
Fortunately, it’s very easy to conquer this fear once we define what it is. That’s why I now write now a few notes along with my goals, to describe exactly what the outcomes will be, wherever I’ll succeed or not.
For example. Say that your goal is to earn $1000 per month in passive income. You should then write down:
- The worst case scenario. Is there something that could go wrong while I try to achieve this goal? Will people die? Let’s see. The worst scenario I can think of is that I’ll work one year following the wrong method (unlikely) and so I’ll have to start over again. Wow, that’s really bad, I can’t think of having a life anymore after that.
- The best case scenario. Everything works well instead, and my business model is scalable, so not only will I achieve my goal, I’m also able to increase my revenue without having to work more hours. I quit my job and I travel the world and follow my lifestyle design dream.
Consider that your fear might not be in the worst case scenario. After all, you know you have to work hard from nothing. Your fear might be in the best case scenario because that would be a dramatic change in your life.
It may sound counter-intuitive, but spend some time thinking about your best case scenario. Write down exactly what you want, where you will be, and what you’ll do. Only when you have defined your best case scenario you’ll finally find all the motivation that you need, and good things will start to happen.
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G'day! I'm Gordie, founder and editor-in-chief of Lifestyle Design For You. I want to welcome you to the center of the universe when it comes to lifestyle design and personal development blogs. We're a team of ten writers providing you with articles to help nourish your mind and improve your life. Lifestyle design is about designing your life so you can do what you want when you want. 
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I’d add to procrastination being a fear of change by saying that boredem plays a big part too.
I’ve never met anyone who procrastinated over a task that they were really excited about. We procrastinate on those things that either bore us to tears or as you say Oscar scare us to out of our skin.
Ben Lumley´s last blog ..How to hack your sleep and go from night assasin to morning warrior
Hey Ben. You don’t procrastinate when you are excited about something because you know what to do, but as soon as you encounter something new that doesn’t work the first time, you may be tempted to procrastinate on it again.
Oscar – freestyle mind´s last blog ..The Only Chance to Learn Something New
I’m the world’s worst procrastinator… I procrastinate about procrastinating.
But I didn’t take my time over reading this article – thanks for sharing your ideas with us, Oscar!
Stuart´s last blog ..Nice Day For A Full Spectrum Wedding Photo…
If you procrastinate about procrastinating, then you should be the most active person in the world
Oscar – freestyle mind´s last blog ..The Only Chance to Learn Something New
Procrastination also creeps into the fold when there is something to do that you really would rather not face at the moment. Instead of moving forward and getting the thing done and over with, we often think things will be better tomorrow and that you will be in a better frame of mind.
Tomorrow arrives and you are back to where you were the day before, wishing you did not have to do what needs top be done.
Thanks for this post, Oscar.
Jimi Jones´s last blog ..Branding Basics – The First Steps
That’s right Jimi. I learned to do things today so tomorrow I don’t have to think about them. It’s a great way to save time and declutter my thoughts.
Oscar – freestyle mind´s last blog ..The Only Chance to Learn Something New
Can I reply to this tomorrow? Right, now we have got the obvious joke out of the way I agree fear and boredom are two reasons for procrastination but there are times when I put off doing things for the very simple reason that I cannot be arsed/bothered. There is nothing complicated about it. Maybe I have something that I’d rather be doing but normally it is just that I really rather not spend the time and effort on that task or action. Is it laziness? Not if I am doing something that gives me more satisfaction, joy or happiness.
Kevin Tea´s last blog ..Evernote Ups The Game With 3.5 Upgrade
Well, I think that if you don’t bother doing something, then you are not procrastinating, instead you are doing something more important or that gives you more joy. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s a win.
Oscar – freestyle mind´s last blog ..The Only Chance to Learn Something New
For the most part, I procrastinate on little things that don’t have a direct impact on what I’m trying to do.
But as the quote goes: “Before Enlightenment: Chop Wood Carry Water. After Enlightenment: Chop Wood Carry Water.”
There are always going to be things that we don’t want to do…the trick is finding peace in doing them.
As for the business stuff…my philosophy is that if you aren’t afraid, then you aren’t risking enough.
Nathan Hangen´s last blog ..Becoming a Crusader
Hey Nathan, if those things have little impact then I think it’s smart to procrastinate on them. It’s on the high value activities that we have to avoid procrastination.
Awesome post Oscar. I like how you given more than one definition of why we procrastinate. It’s not just a fear of failing, but a fear of success also. Why would we fear success? Because there is changed involved, which often makes us feel uncomfortable. Your two ways of handling procrastination are spot on. Asking ourselves, “What’s the worst case scenario and what’s the best case scenario?” Answering both of those questions gives us motivation to take action, and helps us move closer towards a certain goal that have in mind.
Hulbert´s last blog ..Do Your Blogging Struggles Still Bother You?
Hey Hulbert, thanks for your feedback and glad you liked the post. I think a lot of time the fear of success is exactly what hold us back, which is counterintuitive at first, but it’s true if you think about it.
Hi Oscar,
Worst an best scenario is a method I love to do several things and to find motivation. I have found myself procrastinating lately because I don’t want to face the task I must do. I know how I should do it, but it is kind of scary to actually take action. Thinking about the good things I could achieve is really great to push myself.
Isaac – Life is simpler´s last blog ..Should I quit my job – Part 1
Hey Isaac, you may want to ask yourself is what you have to do is something you want. If that would have already been done, would your life been improved in some way? If the answer is yes, then it’s a signal that you have to take action.
I have to agree with the rest, great post. I will read the rest later. Just kidding. I know I put off stuff mch of the time (dishes, laundry etc) because I get selfish and get thinking I need to do X for ME. dishes still need to be done though. Thanks for the thoughts.
Justin
Justin Matthews´s last blog ..Can MY blog make money too?
Oscar, you’re spot on. That’s funny because as I was reading the introduction, I was thinking about how fear was the biggest factor in me procrastinating, and you ended up saying just that.
I find myself procrastinating when I’m afraid of failure and even of success. This fear is not founded though, because as soon as I put my mind to it, I start getting things done. I try to just stop thinking about it and just do it. I like your advice though, I’ll make sure to try it.
Phil Starn´s last blog ..An Emotional Journey Through Learning a New Skill
Hey Phil, fear is indeed the roots of all evil
but as soon as you get over that (simple but not easy), you’ll be capable of everything!
Be more productive,
stop the procrastination,
begin tomorrow.
Rich @ Haiku-It!´s last blog ..Don’t Be That Critic