Have you ever procrastinated at work?

I’m embarrassed to admit I was a procrastinator. Yes, even with all my success, I procrastinated a lot.

I found I procrastinated to feel the accelerating emotions that came to me when I had no time to get something important done. It was as if I was subconsciously trying to create a situation similar to the hunger games.

Not everyone procrastinates for the same reason. My oldest, for example, procrastinates because he perceives it as incredibly painful to actually do something that he doesn’t prefer to do.

With over 20 years of leadership experience, I have realized that the different reasons people procrastinate are directly related to their core childhood wounds.

Let me explain!

As I started to look into myself and seek to understand my soul, I realized that my childhood wounds made a person that challenges and protects to feel safe, aka Enneagram type 8.

Even though my teams and I always had the utmost productivity of all teams around, I found that sometimes I would push myself into procrastination to challenge the world and prove that I can do it at the last minute… and as a leader, sometimes I procrastinated to protect my team from tasks that were controversial.

I learned this language with the Enneagram System, and applying this framework with my teams gave me an unfair perspective.

All of a sudden, I could see through my team. I could tell what projects, what asks, what situations would trigger them into procrastination too… and that changed everything!!!

Procrastination is a complex behavioral pattern where an individual delays starting or completing tasks, often resulting in stress, anxiety, and potentially underperformance. It affects most people in one way or another.

"Procrastination isn't just about being lazy; it's a silent rebellion against our aspirations, a choice to delay our own success."

- Carmen Paredes

This insight has transformed how I address procrastination within myself and my teams, shifting from frustration to understanding and strategic action.

When I work with companies and leaders, hidden procrastination is one of the things that come up, and I help them address it as it’s the number one killer of productivity and motivation.

Surprising Signs of Procrastination in High Achievers

Today, I want to share 5 surprising signs that you might be a procrastinator:

1. Prioritizing low-value tasks: Often filling your day with low-priority tasks instead of tackling significant, impactful ones.

2. Persistent avoidance: Leaving an item on your to-do list for a long time, even though it’s important.

3. Waiting for the perfect moment: Consistently waiting to be in the "right mood," or waiting for the "right time" to tackle a task.

4. Misjudging time: Regularly underestimating or overestimating the time it takes to complete tasks.

5. End-of-day dissatisfaction: Frequently ending your day feeling like you didn’t accomplish anything meaningful.

Understanding Procrastination Types and Reasons:

There are various types of procrastination, each associated with different triggers and motivations. For example, some procrastinate due to fear of failure, while others might procrastinate due to fear of success. Understanding your specific procrastination type can provide insights into the underlying reasons.

Procrastination Examples:

• Emotional avoidance: Avoiding tasks that cause emotional discomfort, like calling a disgruntled client.

• Perfectionism: Not starting a task until you can do it perfectly.

• Overwhelm: Feeling so overwhelmed by the scope of a project that you can’t find a starting point.

I invite you to look deep and reflect if you see any of these signs within you or your team.

Do any of these signs resonate with you or someone you know? How do you plan to overcome these challenges? Share your thoughts below!