Clearing your Habit of Procrastination, for Good

Procrastination is defined as "the act of delaying or postponing something."

Sounds pretty straight-forward. For a Business Owner, choosing to delay or postpone something can happen on a daily.

So, when does it become a big enough problem that it starts to become an emotional toleration?

First, let me remind you of that term: toleration.

A toleration is anything that you're tolerating on a regular basis that drains your energy.

There are 2 main kinds of tolerations: physical and emotional.

• Physical tolerations are easy to identify, once you see these examples:
  • Chipped paint on the trim in your home
  • Dead plants in your flowerbeds
  • Squeaky fans
  • Loose doorknobs
  • Socks that don't have a match
  • Clothes that don't fit (though, this can be related to an emotional toleration)
  • And the list can go on...
• Emotional tolerations are harder to identify, so here's a few examples:
  • Procrastination
  • Self deprecation
  • People pleasing
  • Overthinking
  • Staying Busy
  • Perfectionism
  • And the list can go on...

Emotional tolerations are the little (or big) things that you're tolerating within yourself, emotionally.

Instead of doing something to change your relationship or situation, you choose (consciously or unconsciously) to tolerate it, which ends up draining your energy- emotionally, mentally and oftentimes, physically.

Having a back-up of emotional tolerations can hold you back from being your best and living life in flow.

Procrastination becomes an emotional toleration when it becomes a habit, that then becomes a default way of being, that then erupts into a steady simmering-to-boiling state of inner turmoil.

This state of being can wreak havoc on you, which as I've said- drains your energy and becomes an emotional toleration.

Many adults struggle with procrastination for a variety of reasons.

Here are some of the most common factors that lead adults to procrastinate:

• Fear of Failure- "I'm scared I can't do it, so I don't want to start."
• Overwhelm- "I've got too much on my plate, and I don't know where to start."
• Lack of Motivation- "I'm not in the mood."
• Need for Motivation- "I work best under pressure."
  • (I'm still guilty of this one, from time to time)
• Immediate Gratification- "I'd rather do something else that feels better."
• Decision Fatigue- "I'm too tired to think about or do anything right now."

Procrastination, when practices regularly, becomes a chronic, complex habit, affecting adults in every aspect of their lives.

At its core, habitual procrastination is an emotional response to avoid the bigger, uncomfortable "something" you’d rather not experience— like the fear, overwhelm, boredom and stress mentioned above.

On the surface, it looks like putting off tasks for later, but here’s the real talk:

The relief you get from habitually avoiding tasks is only temporary. The longer you put something off, the more anxious, stressed, and overwhelmed you become.

In the end, procrastination doesn’t solve the problem, it just makes it worse.

So, call it a coping mechanism, call it a habit, call it unconscious behavior.

I'm gonna call it an emotional toleration, because I know tolerations can be cleared. (even the nastiest, ashamed-to-admit, emotionally-based ones)

How do you clear an emotional toleration like procrastination?

• The first step is ACKNOWLEDGING that procrastination is an emotional toleration for you, something that's been draining your energy.
  • This first simple step can be quite powerful IF you are able to state the facts of your situation from an objective point of view, removing emotions and judgment of yourself.
  • "Facts: I procrastinate and this is an emotional toleration for me."
• Then, make a decision to clear this toleration.
  • Write or recite your decision as a PROCLAMATION STATEMENT and even consider sharing with a close friend. "I am committed to clearing this emotional toleration of procrastination, for good, and I'm willing to consistently take action towards clearing this toleration, for good."
  • Saying it out loud will help you hold yourself accountable to the change you seek.
• Next, identify the ALTERNATIVE REALITY you want to be living.
  • If you're no longer willing to put things off, what's the alternative way of being and doing for you? Be proactive? Complete projects early?
  • Get clear on your desired outcome.
• Then, design ACTION STEPS you can take DAILY to get one step closer to your desired outcome. Search google or use an AI tool to help you brainstorm a list of options.
  • Choose a short list of 2-3 options you feel good about and start there.
• And finally start taking those action steps, consistently, on a daily basis to get closer and closer to this bigger change.
  • Just like working out your biceps at the gym, start working those action steps like REPS, to build your new, healthy habit.
• I almost forgot, CELEBRATE YOUR WINS and give yourself GRACE!
  • It's so important to acknowledge progress to keep yourself motivated.
  • At the same time, if you fall of the wagon- get back on.
  • You're HUMAN. Human's are all imperfect. Let yourself make mistakes and try, try again.
  • Like Little Orphan Annie Says: "The sun'll come out tomorrow...", so wake up and try again.

Here’s the bottom line: procrastination isn’t some monster you’re stuck with forever. It’s just one thing you’ve been tolerating in your life, and it’s time to let it go.

You’ve got enough on your plate, and the last thing you need is some energy-sucking toleration dragging you down.

You’ve now got an actionable plan to help you clear this emotional toleration and replace your old, nasty habit of procrastination with a new, healthier way of being and doing.

• ACKNOWLEDGE it, make a PROCLAMATION STATEMENT, identify the ALTERNATIVE REALITY, design ACTIONS STEPS and start working your REPS.
• Oh, and CELEBRATE YOUR WINS and give yourself GRACE. Those may be the two most important steps.

When you take these steps, you’re going to free up all that emotional and mental energy you didn’t even realize was being drained.

And let’s be real—that kind of freedom feels SO MUCH BETTER than the alternative!

Need a little support from a Credentialed Coach to design those action steps and help hold yourself accountable to the change you seek? I'm here to help! 

Check out my Programs, and let's get started!