Let me start by making something clear: I am really good at procrastinating. In fact, I’ll be completely honest with you—I’d been trying to get this blog up since November. I had it all written, but after having it edited, I realized it wasn’t ‘perfect’. Hence 5 months of procrastination and excuses 🙃

I’m not here to tell you the secret answer to fend off procrastination or perfectionism. No one really can. It doesn’t exist. As much as we all search for that magic pill or snap-of-the-fingers solution, it’s the last thing we need. Just as with travel, personal development is about the journey of discovery, not the destination.

The first step to creating change is becoming aware. Most of us are more than aware of how often we put things off, or how long it takes to get something just right. However, I’m talking about the understanding surrounding why we take delayed or slow action.

Let’s do an exercise together. Pull out a pen and paper. Or a note app on your phone.

… I’m serious.

We’re going to make two lists. *First, what do you typically procrastinate on; what are you overly and unnecessarily perfectionistic about? Second, what are the things you easily act on?

Have your lists? I’ll be right here waiting for you.

…

Once you’ve made your lists, go through each and reflect on what makes its activities similar. Next, consider what differentiates the items between your lists. Make notes so you can visually see them.

Taking this deeper look allows you to better understand what causes you to avoid moving forward, which in the next step, lets you pinpoint the underlying issue(s).

Finally, go back and take a look at your notes. What sort of constructs and beliefs have you created around the activities you find difficult to accomplish? What do you believe about the activities you easily accomplish? Then, what mindset could you take on to make a difficult-to-accomplish task easier?

Personally, I discovered how I’ve built up a lot of strict rules and blown-out-of-proportion consequences around my tasks I put off. For example, I’ll wait for the perfect time to work on my book, but then I end up skipping it altogether, because it’s not quiet enough, or I don’t have the energy, or let me check my email one more time, or… *sigh*

I had told myself there was either a right or wrong way to do my tasks I tend to procrastinate on, and the tasks I act quickly on are those I’ve deemed more ambiguous—that can’t necessarily be done incorrectly. Further, I procrastinate when my success in an activity is uncertain. This points to self-doubt—as in my example, I question whether I can write a successful book.

Having become aware of all this, I realize I’m no different than most authors while writing their first book. And they succeeded, not because their skill level is any different than mine, but because they believed they could. It’s all perspective. Which HELLO! This is life-changing news peeps. Because you have the ability to shift your beliefs.

I have the ability to shift my doubt into certainty, and so do you.

* * * * *

Tell me, what did this exercise help you to uncover? What’s behind your procrastination and perfectionism? And what mindset do you need to start shifting into?

*Note: Some of us procrastinate and are perfectionistic on the same or similar things and it makes sense to have one list, for others it may make more sense to distinguish them into separate categories. Nonetheless, you can still draw helpful comparisons across each list.

Author Bio: Hi, I’m Bethany! Over the past 10 years, I’ve been on a winding journey in search of healing. I created Love myHealth as an outlet to share my story and empower others. I’m passionate about all things health, but what intrigues me most, is the healing essence of an empowering mindset. Some of my favorite things in life include AcroYoga, walking under the stars, life-changing conversations with strangers, and food (most notably: gluten-free pizza and nice cream.)