According to Wikipedia, “Procrastination is the act of unnecessarily delaying or postponing something despite knowing that there could be negative consequences for doing so.” Does that ring any bells with you? Go on, be honest.
Perfectionism is just as tricky.
Overcoming procrastination and perfectionism are two of the biggest barriers to success in life. They stop you from starting what you want to do, hold you back from finishing, and make your progress feel impossible.
In this blog post, I’ll share how you can overcome this mindset and move forward without thinking about these two barriers.
Table of Contents
Why Procrastination and Perfectionism Go Hand In Hand
You might have wondered why these two things can cause so much anxiety and stress. What you must understand is that they are real friends, perhaps even besties, and like to work together. It can help you get your head around why they are so problematic.
If you want a visual representation, think about the two stepsisters from Cinderella!
So, what can you do about it?
- Firstly, you need to know that procrastination is often rooted in fear. It’s the fear of not doing something “perfectly”.
- Secondly, perfectionism causes unrealistic standards for you. That’s why starting and finishing is so much harder.
Understanding these patterns is the first step to breaking free of the double P curse!
Strategies for Overcoming Procrastination and Perfectionism
Here are three easy things you can do to break these barriers and start getting on with achieving what you want in your life.
#1 Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
You don’t have to carry on in silence and suffer when you are trying to reach your personal and professional goals. It’s as simple as thinking that doing and completing something to the best of your ability is better than striving hours to make it perfect.
#2 Break Goals Into Micro-Steps
If you struggle to start something, you need to make it easier for yourself to give yourself a head start. You can start the whole process by focusing on the smallest possible step.
#3 Set Time Limits for Overcoming Procrastination
Try time blocking. I do this all the time. It keeps me focused, and I can achieve deep work. Alternatively, try using the Pomodoro Technique or setting a timer to prevent yourself from overthinking.
How Coaching Helps
Accountability coaching is also an area that can help you. It supports you by:
- Helping you to recognise and reframe your perfectionistic tendencies. You might not think you have any, but you’ll be surprised!
- Building momentum so you can keep going. We do this by breaking your tasks into achievable steps.
- I give you the motivation you need to keep going. I do this with regular check-ups to ensure you are staying on track.
Overcoming Procrastination – How To Move Forward in Your Life
Finally, it’s important to remember that procrastination and perfectionism don’t have to control your progress. Whatever you want to do is possible. You can start building small habits by focusing on your progress instead of your thoughts of perfection.
Once you have started doing this, you can move closer to your goals every day. You can eliminate procrastination and perfectionism and feel freedom.
Ready to overcome procrastination? Let’s work together – book your free consultation today!
Sally Leslie is the founder of The Leslie Link. She coaches leaders and senior professionals helping them use emotional intelligence and meditation and build mental resilience in their lives. She’s the author of Think Clearly. Lead Calmly. A Guide for Leaders Under Pressure and The Jacket Potato Shop. She is based between Newcastle, UK and Mallorca, Spain.
