The Procrastination Trap: Why We Do It and How to Break Free
Procrastination. It’s a curious creature.
It lurks in the shadowy recesses of your minds, whispering sweet nothings in your ear, tempting you to put things off until tomorrow.
And while many people struggle with this fiendish foe, we women tend to be particularly hampered by it. It all comes down to the freeze response - a state of paralysis that occurs when you're overwhelmed by stress or danger.
So why are women struggling more and more with procrastination and a lack of motivation? It’s not because we’re lazy. It’s because the pressures of modern society and our hustle-culture has all of us feeling trapped and powerless, unable to take action or make clear and rational decisions. What else can we expect when we have a never-ending to-do-list and impossibly high-standards? It’s a recipe for stress and anxiety.
If you’re struggling with procrastination right now, you’re not alone. If, despite your best intentions, you find yourself putting off tasks until the last minute, causing unnecessary added stress and anxiety - you’re not alone.
While you might think that your procrastination and lack of motivation is a sign of laziness, the truth is that it's a complex physiological phenomenon rooted in your nervous system regulation. And your feelings of shame and self-blame are only perpetuating the cycle and keeping you locked in that energy.
As you know, your nervous system is responsible for regulating your response to stress and triggering your fight-or-flight response when you perceive a threat. In situations where you feel overwhelmed, such as when looking down the barrel of a deadline or unpleasant task, your nervous system can kick into high gear, making it difficult for you to focused and on track.
The result: procrastination and dissociation as a way to avoid the discomfort of facing a task head-on.
How does shame play into this? When you feel ashamed about your procrastination behaviour, you can become stuck in a cycle of self-blame and self-criticism, which adds stress to your nervous system. The more you beat yourself up about procrastinating, the more shame you feel, and the more likely you are to continue procrastinating.
So, how to break this cycle of procrastination and shame? Here are a few strategies:
Practice self-compassion:
Instead of beating yourself up about procrastinating, try to approach yourself with kindness and understanding. Remember that procrastination is a common experience and that you're not alone in struggling with it.
Set realistic goals:
Break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable goals, and set reasonable deadlines for yourself. This can help you feel more in control of your workload and reduce the sense of overwhelm that can trigger procrastination.
Use positive self-talk:
When you catch yourself procrastinating, try to reframe your internal dialogue in a more positive light. For example, instead of saying "I'm so lazy for not starting this task," try saying, "I'm having trouble getting started, but that's okay. I'll take a break and come back to it later."
learn to regulate your nervous system:
Learning to regulate your nervous system can help you overcome procrastination. Practice yoga, meditation, or other techniques to help manage stress and stay focused.
If you're feeling overwhelmed and struggling to stay on track, I want you to know that I'm here for you. The Nurtured Nervous System is a 12-week, 1:1 coaching program designed to help women regulate their nervous system, develop healthy habits, and create the life they truly desire.
To learn more about the program and how it can benefit you, head over here.
Ready to regulate your nervous system?
The Nurtured Nervous System is a 12-week, 1:1 coaching program designed to help women regulate their nervous system, develop healthy habits, and create the life they truly desire.
