How to Stop Procrastinating, Perfectionism?

By Bill Benson · Sept 7, 2023

how to stop procrastinating, perfectionism

The New Year is in full swing as spring is on the horizon. A few months back, many of us took to the tradition of challenging ourselves by setting goals for 2018. Whether those resolutions pertained to personal, professional, or relational matters, it’s time for a self check-in. Are you accomplishing your aspirations or putting them on the backburner? And, why does it seem so easy for some to commit to a daily routine of accomplishment while other struggle to take action?

The Precarious Pursuit Toward Perfection

For many people, their sense of worth revolves around how well they execute these self-defined goals. For this reason, they feel the need to make sure that every detail is done to perfection by dotting every “i” and crossing every “t” along the way. From an outsider’s perspective these individuals may be envied, as they appear to “have it all together.” But the reality is that this self-oriented perfectionism may be holding them back as they commonly set unrealistic expectations and tend to be extremely self-critical. Concurrently, they fear failure and rejection which often leads to engagement in procrastination prompting symptoms of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

The Process of Procrastination

We have all experienced the art of procrastination at some point in our lives. Do any of these statements sound familiar? “I still have plenty of time,” “I’ll get to it tomorrow,” “I do my best work when I am pressed for time,” “But, Game of Thrones in on tonight.” For some individuals, a bit of procrastination does help motivate them but most become caught in its vicious cycle. This includes: (a) do nothing, (b) feel guilty, (c) panic about it, (d) freeze, and (e) repeat. The key to avoiding this struggle is to come up with a practical game plan.

A wise person once told me, “Just do a little bit each day,” which has helped me immensely.

Here are more tips on how to find balance and begin taking action:

  • Organize, organize, organize
  • Create daily, weekly, and monthly checklists
  • Avoid “all or nothing” thinking
  • Do not over schedule yourself
  • Ask someone close to you to hold you accountable
  • Take timed breaks
  • Delegate when you can
  • Be realistic
  • Squeeze in time for fun and relaxation

The Power of Positivity

Amongst all other things try to stay positive. Talk to yourself kindly and do what you can to achieve the things you want out of life. Practice self-forgiveness when you fall and reward yourself when you succeed. Having a positive outlook makes for a more enjoyable ride on the road toward tomorrow. So, decide to take action and get started now!!

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