Is it Procrastination, Perfectionism or Fear?

As a woman in business, you're probably familiar with the feeling of being stuck. You have a task to complete, but you can't seem to get started. You may find yourself continually putting it off, waiting for the perfect time to start or finish, or feeling too afraid to take action. In this article, we'll explore the differences between procrastination, perfectionism, and fear and offer tips on how to overcome each of them.

Because if there’s one thing I know, wether you suffer from one or all of these conditions, not getting sh*t done in your business flat out means it won’t grow.

Procrastination

Procrastination is when you delay or avoid a task or decision that needs to be made. It's not necessarily a bad thing, as some people work better under pressure and may need the extra motivation. However, chronic procrastination can lead to stress, missed deadlines, and lost opportunities.

To overcome procrastination, try breaking down your task into smaller, more manageable steps. Research has shown that breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps can help reduce procrastination and increase productivity (Steel, 2007). Set deadlines for each step and hold yourself accountable for meeting them. Also, consider using a productivity tool, such as the Pomodoro technique, which involves breaking your workday into 25-minute blocks of work, followed by a five-minute break.

Momentum is usually created when you put one foot in front of the other not matter how small the task is, so the key is to make that first task you tackle teeny tiny!

"Procrastination is not the problem. It is the solution. It is the universe's way of saying stop, slow down, you move too fast."

- Ellen DeGeneres

Perfectionism

Perfectionism is the belief that anything less than perfect is unacceptable. While striving for excellence is admirable, perfectionism can be a hindrance to progress. Perfectionists tend to be overly critical of themselves and may procrastinate or avoid tasks altogether out of fear of failure.

Studies have found that perfectionism can lead to negative outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and burnout (Sirois & Molnar, 2018). Striving for excellence and progress, rather than perfection, has been shown to increase motivation and reduce the negative effects of perfectionism (Stoeber & Otto, 2006). Reframing mistakes as opportunities for growth has also been shown to improve performance and increase resilience (Dweck, 2017).

To overcome perfectionism, recognize that perfection is unattainable. Instead, strive for excellence and progress. Set realistic goals and celebrate small wins along the way. Also, try reframing mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow.

Subscribing to a philosophy of optimisation or 1% improvement can also help overcome recovering perfectionists, knowing that if they haven’t got something ‘quite right’ it can still be shipped and improved later.

"Done is better than perfect."

- Sheryl Sandberg

Fear

Fear can be a significant barrier to success, whether it's fear of failure, fear of success, or fear of the unknown. Fear can paralyze you, making it challenging to take action or make decisions.

Fear can activate the amygdala, the brain's fear center, which can lead to the fight-or-flight response and hinder decision-making and action-taking (LeDoux, 2017). Identifying the source of fear and gathering information can activate the prefrontal cortex, the brain's decision-making center, which can help reduce fear and improve decision-making (Van Dijk et al., 2018).

So to assist in overcoming the fear, a helpful step is to identify the source. Is it a fear of failure? If so, recognize that failure is a natural part of the learning process. Is it a fear of success? If so, examine why you're afraid of success and work to overcome any limiting beliefs or self-doubt. If it's a fear of the unknown, try to gather as much information as possible to reduce uncertainty.

"I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear."

- Rosa Parks

In conclusion, as a woman in business, it's essential to recognize when procrastination, perfectionism, or fear is holding you back. By breaking down your tasks, striving for progress instead of perfection, and addressing your fears head-on, you can overcome these obstacles and achieve success.

Remember that every step forward, no matter how small, is progress toward your goals.

You’ve got this!