Procrastination is something we often see as a bad thing; something we do, to avoid doing the work we should be doing. This can be as a result of feeling overwhelmed by what we have on our ‘to-do’ list or simply because we don’t feel like doing work that work at all!

However, procrastination could also be a sign of something deeper than simply a desire to not do work. Procrastination could actually be trying to draw our attention to something out of sync in our business.

Do you need a break?

We’ve all been guilty of pushing ourselves too far. That may manifest in us working too many hours, never taking a full day off or pushing ourselves to work, when we feel ill or tired. Your desire to procrastinate could be drawing your attention to the fact your body simply needs a break.

We need clarity and direction

It’s easy to get caught up in the need to clear those outstanding tasks on our list – but do we know how to do them? If you’re unsure of how to do something, you’re going to avoid it. This may mean you need to add in an additional task, such as learning a new software or technique, but it’ll help you achieve more in the long run. It’s the same with the direction we’re headed in. If you’re not sure what you want to achieve or why you want to achieve it – you’re not going to be focused or enthusiastic enough to complete the task at hand.

Have you broken down the task?

Sometimes, we procrastinate because the task at hand seems too big for us to complete. This is why it’s so important that you break each task down, into bite-sized chunks. If you haven’t done this, your procrastination could be as a result of feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of a task.

What are your motives?

Sometimes, we’re missing the big picture – we don’t always know why we’re doing what we’re doing! Our motives can be tied to our big picture or end desire, however there are other motives that may be at play too. Money, status and expertise are all great motivators – but if you’re not normally motivated by them, you’ll struggle to get started. Make sure you’re using the right motivators for you and are setting tasks based on what motivates you.

Procrastination could be signifying we need to call it a day

There will be times when your procrastination is as a result of doing something you don’t want to do. Yes, we all have tasks we dislike and, if this is the case, you need to make sure you’re motivating yourself to complete them.

However, there are tasks we do, simply because we feel we should, or need to, do them. We take on clients that aren’t suited to us or take on jobs that aren’t in our sphere or expertise – and this is when we need to decide whether we call it a day.

Your procrastination can be a bad thing, but it can also be a useful and powerful tool too – if you learn how to read the signs behind it.

How do you feel about procrastination? Have you ever had a time when it’s served you well or helped you make a decision, you may otherwise not have faced? Why not share your experiences below!

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