“What does procrastination have to do with change?”
I was presenting virtually for some folks at NASA, and they always ask great questions. We were talking about change and the challenges it brings, and someone asked how procrastination connects to change.
Fascinating question that made me think.
Change is uncomfortable because we are removed from the known. We don’t know what’s going to happen, how we’re going to respond, and whether it’s going to be the right move.
Procrastination is most often done when we’re unsure or not confident about the outcome. We avoid taking the risk of action because we’re unsure if the outcome will be right or perfect enough.
Wait a sec….those 2 sure sound like the same thing, just dressed up in different outfits.
Ever heard of Analysis Paralysis? (I call it hesitation nation because Analysis Paralysis never comes out of my mouth right.) That’s a form of procrastination. We’re putting off finalizing or taking action because we’re not confident about how it’s all going to work out. Sure, it seems noble because it’s under the guise of chasing perfection, but in reality, we’re just avoiding taking action.
People get stuck in hesitation nation during change too! They don’t want to commit to action because they are unsure. They don’t want to mess it up, get judged or *gasp* fail! So they procrastinate moving into the discomfort zone (leaving the comfort zone of the known) and just hem and haw and overthink and make another plan and have another meeting about the meeting and never. do. anything.
So how does procrastination relate to change? Many people procrastinate moving into change because they’re afraid of the risk. It’s a fair fear…but it never moves life/business/change/innovation forward.
Recognize when you’re procrastinating the leap into change and have the courage to PUNCH IT MARGARET!® (and if you don’t know what that is, see below for the podcast episode where I explain!)
Go get ‘em Tiger.
What’s on the Dancefloor?
If you have read this e-mail, you know what this is about. If you’re a regular reader of this e-mail blast, you probably have heard me use the phrase before. And if you’re a weirdo who jumps to the sections under the signature without reading anything else, well, here is an explanation of my PUNCH IT MARGARET!® tool and how you can use it to help you get your butt out of hesitation nation. Listen HERE.
