The comfort of procrastination and how to get out of it
Originally published on 10 May 2022
I have been reflecting on last week’s post and how to define myself and what is holding me back at the moment. It started with a bit of ennui a few weeks ago and now it is a full-on rut. So, I went back to the beginning of what this whole sabbatical was supposed to be about and why it started. The reality is I have been procrastinating on moving forward with my life – on many levels – because it has become so comfortable.
I was chatting about my last post with someone afterward and saying how I was happily unemployed, and he joked, “and after that [bar interaction] prob for a while”. I retorted “don’t be mean, I’m going to be wildly successful”. I thought to myself wildly successful at what though? I was sitting there chatting to him at 7pm still in my yoga pants and hoodie and hadn’t applied for a job in about two weeks. At some point during this sabbatical, I have lost that ambitious streak in me. I have become complacent and comfortable; thinking that that opportunity is just magically going to appear now. Quite frankly, I have become lazy. Not in the traditional sense of the word, but in terms of getting out of my comfort zone (and comfy clothes).
I am the Queen of Procrastination when it comes to life admin*. As I have mentioned before, all I do now is life, so I am ruling this procrastination kingdom very well.
Why we procrastinate
A little bit of basic neuroscience to start off with because I find the brain fascinating as mine likes to misfire every now and then due to epilepsy. When we procrastinate, we apparently use the default mode network of our brain. This is also the part of the brain that is active during rest, daydreaming, remembering the past, thinking about the future, thinking about others and ourselves, etc. The task-oriented and problem-solving part of our brain is the prefrontal cortex, and it doesn’t form part of this default mode network. My brain has been stuck in the default mode network for so long now that it’s being lazy about firing up the prefrontal cortex. I have been thinking about the future but not necessarily doing all the tasks to make that future happen.
There are, in general, two reasons why we procrastinate – either the task is unpleasant, boring, etc. or we think we won’t be good at it or will fail. You hold yourself back from doing many things because of the last reason.
In the job-hunt, it is actually both reasons. Updating your CV is a very tedious task and can be unpleasant because you must examine yourself from the perspective of a hiring manager and that self-examination is tough. Moving out of your comfort zone is an unpleasant task but it also comes with the fear of failure and rejection.
Many of the jobs I have been applying to have been similar to what I had before – Chief of Staff or communications roles. When I first took on that role, my then-boss said to me “you know, people never stay in these roles for longer than two years, and then they usually move on to something else” i.e., more senior roles/different ventures. At that point, I wasn’t intending on staying for even three months, so I ignored that little nugget of wisdom. Almost four years later and I am still wanting to stay in that comfort zone. I really do enjoy being the right hand to a leader though. You learn so much and it is a very strategic and challenging position but perhaps it is time for me to be working towards having my own Chief of Staff. Fear of failure or not doing it perfectly is just holding me back.
Overcoming procrastination
Naturally, we seek pleasure over pain and so it is difficult to break the procrastination habit. Thinking about the future is far more enjoyable than doing the tasks required to get there.
Thank you, once again, to Bloom for the help in breaking the procrastination cycle. There are two techniques you can use and, in fact, can use together. Take a goal you have set (read my post on Back to Basics for a little inspiration) and break it down into three manageable tasks and set a time to do it. The simpler the tasks, the better otherwise you won’t do them – trust me.
The second technique might be applicable depending on the task. I should know this one because I do it all the time when I cook but it is a simple technique called mise en place. You put everything you need to do your task in place before you start (ingredients, bowls, knives, etc.) so that you are prepared and not scrambling around your ‘kitchen’ trying to find things. A simple but effective start to get you going. If you need help figuring out your mise en place or breaking down your tasks, feel free to reach out to me.
I am grateful for the time and space that I have given myself over the past month or so. I needed it. Now it is time for me to remove my procrastination crown and become a fearless task warrior.
Alex the Generalist
*If my mother reads this, she will be very pleased to see that I have admitted to this fact.
