Have you ever set a goal? Do you constantly put off tasks that will help you achieve your goals? Many people struggle with procrastination and find that it keeps them from achieving their goals.
Procrastination is a sneaky animal. It can masquerade as a helpful friend by suggesting you can always do the task tomorrow. Or start on it after your favorite show is over.
But in reality, procrastination is keeping you from reaching your full potential. It’s holding you back from the success and happiness that you deserve.
Think about it. You take a step back every time you put off a task. You’re losing ground and making it harder to get where you want. The minor delays and setbacks add up, leaving you discouraged and defeated.
So, how do you stop sabotaging your goals with procrastination?
The first key is to discern why you are procrastinating. Get to the root of what’s holding you back. The reasons can range from fear or boredom to laziness and everything in between.
A hugely overlooked culprit might be low self-esteem.
Low Self-Esteem and Procrastination
Low self-esteem and procrastination are a dynamic duo. Low self-esteem can be disguised as excuses that make sense to your conscious brain. But in reality, the low self-esteem (hiding in your subconscious mind) is behind your inability to act.
Academic researchers have noted that procrastination is on the rise, and there may be a direct correlation between social media use and procrastination. And its impact is low self-esteem. So this is a vicious cycle: procrastination, i.e., losing the ability to move forward on tasks, leads to lowered self-esteem. And low self-esteem, lacking the inner confidence to succeed, leading to procrastination. Furthermore, the habit of procrastination hardwires our brains towards perfectionism. But this is a slightly different rabbit hole.
The point is that habitual procrastination tied to low self-esteem is a brain issue. Remember, the brain’s primary function is to keep us from experiencing pain. What could be more emotionally painful than stepping out of our comfort zone with the threat of probably sucking at whatever we try to achieve?
This cycle provides an opportunity for us to break it on both sides. We can work on the tasks we’ve been putting off while nurturing our self-image.
This brilliant strategy can help us get unstuck and move forward rather quickly.
The Breakthrough Strategy: a Two-Prong Approach
- Ideas to Overcome Procrastination:
First, clarify your goals. Is this goal essential or exciting to you, or is it someone else’s idea? If you fail at someone else’s vision, it could be devastating. Furthermore, it’s easier to procrastinate on a goal that belongs to someone else.
Second, think about a task you’ve been putting off for weeks or months. You know you must do it, but you feel overwhelmed and discouraged. But one day, you finally muster the courage to tackle it head-on. You knock it out of the park!
That’s the beauty of overcoming procrastination – it is a self-esteem boost waiting to happen. When you procrastinate, you tell yourself you’re incapable of doing something. But when you take action and complete that task, you’re proving you are capable.
Overcoming procrastination can do wonders for your self-esteem! You’ll feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when you control your time and get things done. You’ll build a positive self-image by taking small steps and seeing yourself succeed.
As you overcome procrastination, you start to trust yourself more. You’ll see that you can get things done and have the power to change your life. You’ll build a stronger sense of self-worth and self-esteem by taking action. If you’re tired of feeling down on yourself and not living up to your potential, it’s time to take control of your time and start taking action. By doing so, you’ll be building a more confident and resilient you!
So, let’s make a pact to stop procrastinating and build our self-esteem.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Make a plan for the job. That might mean breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps so it feels less overwhelming. And as you complete each step, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment that will boost your self-esteem.
- Reward yourself and celebrate any wins you have. No matter how small they may be, celebrate each time you complete a task. Treat yourself to something special, or take a moment to acknowledge how far you’ve come.
- Be sure to focus on your strengths and accomplishments. Take the time to reflect on what you’re good at and what you’ve achieved in the past. Then use this information to boost your self-esteem. For example, if you’re good at writing, you could start a blog or write articles, or if you’re good at cooking, you could start cooking for your friends and family. Doing more things you’re good at can increase your confidence and make you feel more capable.
2. Self Care: How to Build Self-Esteem by Caring For Yourself
The other way to build self-esteem is to practice self-care and self-compassion at a much higher level. It means taking care of yourself physically and emotionally and being kind to yourself when things don’t go as planned. It can involve exercise, meditation, eating well, getting enough sleep, and being kind and understanding when you make mistakes.
When you purposefully engage in self-care and self-compassion, you show yourself that you’re worthy of love and respect. It can have a positive impact on your self-esteem. Additionally, by caring for ourselves, we become more resilient and better equipped to handle challenges and setbacks, boosting our self-esteem.
By applying this two-prong strategy to your life, you’ll be well on your way to overcoming procrastination and building self-esteem. So, go ahead and give them a try – you’ve got this!
Be well + prosper,
Elaine xx