What’s Stopping You From Moving Forward?
10 Reasons We Procrastinate.
Picture Credit: Pixabay – ar130405
In my free e-book, How to Stop Procrastinating and Start Doing I discuss what’s happening in our brains when we procrastinate. We default to a “I’d rather do this than that” state of mind. Since that’s the case, how do we stop procrastinating?
How can we move forward? How can we get unstuck and stop delaying what we really want to do? Why do we continue to settle for another “What Now?” instead of planning our “What’s Next?”
If you are intrigued by the idea of a what’s next in your life and want to get unstuck this post is for you. In this article, I’ll discuss 10 reasons we put off choosing another gig, business, venture, passion or adventure. You will gain a better understanding of what’s stopping you from moving forward.
Ten key reasons tend to keep people on the procrastination wheel. If you are ready to jump off the wheel then learn how to tune into the following symptoms. Procrastination creeps up on us and often disguises herself but she always stops us from moving forward.
Procrastination
Stops Us From Moving Forward
If you really want to evaluate why you procrastinate you need to first look at some of the underlying symptoms. Procrastination and procrastinators are similar but present with different symptoms.
Some people show up with a few symptoms and others have a full blown case of procrastination in many areas. They just can’t get going and if they do start they have trouble finishing. They can’t move forward and they don’t understand what’s getting in the way.
How to Diagnose Procrastination
The best way to diagnose procrastination is by getting real with ourselves. Honestly, you, like me, need to take a cold, hard look at reality. Once you admit you have a problem putting off “x, y, or z” you can then establish a clear path.
Mapping your What’s Next requires you to focus, set goals and recognize accomplishments. There will also be bumps along the way, so prepare. You prepare for obstacles and no longer allow them to keep you in the procrastination loop. They no longer stop you from moving forward. Since the entire process starts with higher self awareness, it’s helpful to outline the common reasons you and I procrastinate.
Want to Pursue Your What’s Next but Not Moving Forward?
Suspect – Procrastination.…
My procrastination list is not all encompassing but it highlights the major reasons associated with procrastination. The list primarily focuses on reasons we delay starting our new life ventures.
For clarity, that point and time in life is when we think or know we need to do something different. It’s often a job or some other major shift. Instead of following our calling or finally doing what would make us happy we procrastinate. Then we pardon ourselves with justified excuses. I know, because I did that very thing. There’s a big problem with procrastination pardons. No one holds us accountable. If you are wondering if you’ve fallen prey to your own procrastination pardons take a look at this list: They dress up in disguise. Maybe you’re familiar with these costumes:
Procrastination Disguises Itself and Stops You From Moving Forward
- Perfectionism – We think that we can’t proceed with our plans unless they are perfect. If that’s the case, we will be waiting for an eternity. No plan, process or procedure is perfect. No service is perfect.
- A Lack of Self Belief – Diminished self belief is common. It rears its ugly head and doesn’t discriminate because of education, age, gender or looks. Anyone can delay starting their new venture because somewhere inside of them they don’t think they measure up. This symptom often shows up as imposter syndrome.
- Not Enough Choices – As we gain more and more expertise we tend to go one of two ways. We begin to see the world as if it has limited choices. That means, you think you can do only one thing. That one thing or subject matter is what you know. It’s what you are good at. That’s what you’ve always done. You can’t see yourself in your What’s Next scenario because you are stuck. What would it feel like to be unstuck? How would it feel to see a future that you had not even imagined?
- Too Many Choices – In the case of too many choices, you think about your What’s Next. You would love to do something different, but are overwhelmed. The choices seemed unlimited. You could build an online business, write a book, start a blog. You could start a non-profit or support an existing one. You are overwhelmed by the sales and marketing options. You don’t move forward because you are stuck in overwhelm. How would it feel if the fog cleared? What would it feel like if you knew what choice to make?
- Don’t Understand Options Exist – Not understanding options is different from self-belief and not enough choices. When someone procrastinates in this scenario, it’s because they haven’t been educated. They simply don’t realize they have options. If they did, they would jump ship and start merging their expertise into their What’s Next right away.
- False Beliefs: Your Expertise Will Not Support Your What’s Next – Everyone has read that it takes 10 years to be an expert. If you gave a second thought to your What’s Next plan, you would have to consider the time. Is time on your side?
People in this category don’t think they have 10 years to gain additional expertise or they have no desire to invest in another 10 years. These people don’t realize they DON’T HAVE TO DO EITHER one ! They don’t need to magically obtain another 10 years of expertise. They simply use what they have.
That’s right! If a little whisper is telling you that you have what it takes for your What’s Next plan, then you do! You simply need help extracting the expertise.
You may think the new “thing” isn’t in your wheelhouse, but have you used any professional tool to determine that to be true? Are you telling yourself something because it’s easier to believe that way? Is it easier to accept you’re not expert enough than to work towards your dream? I don’t buy that and neither should you.
- Lack Clarity. No Path. No Plan. No Map. – People who lack clarity are different from those who think about too many choices. They know about the choices and they believe in themselves. They aren’t sure where to start first. They aren’t sure how to map their What’s Next journey. They may switch between methods or focus. They may focus on way too much too soon. They could focus on the wrong audience. They simply aren’t clear and struggle to find clarity. These procrastinators put off clarity maybe because it sounds like too much commitment. If they get clear on their expertise, and if they package it, what might happen? Could they fail? Then they cycle back to a lack of self belief and fear. The cycle keeps them from starting.
- Fear – People sometimes procrastinate their What’s Next because they are fearful. They have comfortable jobs. They may not like the job or career, but they know how much money they will be paid. They know they have health insurance and rely on both. There is nothing wrong with feeling secure in necessity. But fear can be crippling. Fear can keep you from maximizing your potential and giving your gift back to this planet. Fear makes us live in a status quo life. But, there is a way to balance fear. Start small and stay secure within the knowns of your life. You can later wean yourself as you combat fear and build confidence.
- False Ideas – False ideas generally fall into 2 categories. People have false ideas about many things but these 2 often stop you from taking action.
- Misconceptions about multi-tasking. You think you can do many things at once and because of this suffer from a lack of focus.
- Ideas that people your age do not:
- Start businesses
- Run an online business
- Write books
- Become successful in a 2nd act/encore adventure, or career
- People Don’t Understand How They Naturally Solve Problems – Science proves that people have innate ways of problem solving. Unfortunately, people can live their whole lives and never tap into those gifts. They stay mis-aligned and often feel mentally depleted. Because of this they have no energy to devote to their What’s Next Plan.
Does one or several of these procrastination pardons sound like something you’re experiencing. If so, then I’d like to invite you to download a:
Free Resource – Download my first flipbook, How to Stop Procrastinating and Start Doing, Inside I created a simple chart. When you use that chart, you’ll see it’s divided into 3 main categories, health, life and work.
e-book design: Kim Sheldahl
When you plan well, you can merge your past expertise with your what’s next by extracting that knowledge and defining your encore act. Maybe that’s building a business, writing a book or starting a non-profit or blog. It’s something you want to do, but haven’t done.
Do you procrastinate because of finances or health? A lack of organization or overwhelm? Make a to do list of what’s most important to you and start doing those things.
In the meantime, if you are ready to craft your What’s Next, then what are you waiting for? Get started. If you want to get your creative juices flowing, take the What’s Stopping You™ Assessment. It’s designed to help you think of ways you might want to extract and repackage your expertise into a what’s next or what no
P.S. When you participate in assessments and surveys you help me craft better challenges. My goal is to meet your needs, so let me know what you would like to know! Tell me about your procrastination challenges so I can help point you down the right path!
Until next time….
Consider the possibilities….
Kim @ KintsugiLife
If you would like to know “If You Might Be a Merger….” then take my quiz. A Merger is someone who mixes and merges their past expertise into their “What’s Next.” Pick up your FREE MERGER Journal here!
About the Author: Kimberly Sheldahl is a former executive, turned Kolbe Certified™ Consultant who is also a Wellness Coach. She is passionate about the integration of productivity and well-being. Kim is the host of BOOM Baby BOOM, a T.V. show/podcast which will begin airing in September.
Kim is the #1 Best Selling Author of Hack Into OZ, Get the Most Out of Life, available on Amazon. Her course, IMPACT will also be released this summer along with an introductory course, Mapping the Big Picture the predecessor to Maneuvering Your Merge!
Contact Kim @ Kintsugi Life.Biz and type “Merger” in the subject line to receive freebies and additional assessments. In the meantime, Connect & Follow Kim on:
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