Today, I'm digging deep into a topic that affects us all at some point or another—procrastination. But don't worry; I've got you covered with actionable strategies to get you moving.

First off, if you claim never to have procrastinated, you're probably fooling yourself. Procrastination is such a common issue that if you're reading this blog post, you're likely looking for solutions. And you're in the right place for that!

The Three Main Causes

In my experience, there are three primary reasons why we procrastinate:

  1. Lack of Clarity: When the task isn't well-defined, or its importance is unclear, we naturally hesitate to begin.
  2. Fear of Failure: This is a big one. The apprehension that we might not succeed can be paralyzing.
  3. Fear of Success: It sounds counterintuitive, but succeeding can bring its set of unknowns, and that can be equally terrifying.

What to Do About It

So, what's the game plan? When you find yourself procrastinating, ask which of these causes is holding you back. Understanding the root cause is half the battle won.

If it's a lack of clarity, make the task more explicit or try to understand its importance better. If it's fear of failure or success, do some introspection to get to the core of your fears.

Take That First Step

Once you've pinpointed the cause, take action. Anything. Even a small decision can be the catalyst for getting the task done. The idea here is to get the ball rolling, and before you know it, you'll gain momentum. Just take the step. Yes, do it now. Or at the very latest, today.

The Path to Long-Term Solutions

Identifying your primary reasons for procrastination can help you develop long-term strategies. The more you understand yourself, the quicker you'll be able to push past procrastination in the future.

Ultimately, procrastination is a choice we make, often subconsciously. But by recognizing its root causes and having a game plan to tackle them head-on, we gain the power to choose differently. In the grand scheme of things, each small act of overcoming procrastination compounds into a life of greater productivity, fulfillment, and leadership. So the next time you find yourself stalling, remember: the best time to take action is now.

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"Pushing back on procrastination requires determining your cause or reason for the procrastination, then deciding the action is more important than the procrastinating." @KevinEikenberry

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Kevin Eikenberry is a recognized world expert on leadership development and learning and is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. He has spent over 30 years helping organizations across North America, and leaders from around the world, on leadership, learning, teams and teamwork, communication and more.

Twice he has been named by Inc.com as one of the Top 100 Leadership and Management Experts in the World and 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference. The American Management Association named him a “Leaders to Watch” and he has been twice named as one of the World's Top 30 Leadership Professionals by Global Gurus. Top Sales World has named him a Top Sales & Marketing Influencer several times, and his blog has been named on many “best of” lists. LeadersHum has named him one of the 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership in 2023.

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