A Matter of Perspective

What is the biggest killer of dreams

Do you know what the biggest killer of dreams is?

If you said “fear” you would be mistaken.

While fear does have the potential of killing dreams and for some it does stop them cold, the correct answer is “procrastination.”

According to Mel Robbins, a motivational speaker, author, and life coach, procrastination “kills more dreams than fear ever will.”

Procrastination seems so innocent on the surface. I mean, it is just putting things off for a while, isn’t it?

Well, no, not really.

What is Procrastination?

I am not an expert at procrastinating but I am, sadly, really good at it.

Let’s go back to one of my favorite speakers, Mel Robbins.

According to Robbins, procrastination is not about laziness or a lack of willpower. Instead, it is a coping mechanism for dealing with stress. Robbins says that when people procrastinate, they are avoiding the task at hand because it triggers feelings of stress, anxiety, or overwhelm. Instead of addressing these emotions directly, individuals distract themselves with other activities, thus delaying the work they need to do.

Yep. That sounds about right.

The problem with procrastination is that—for me anyway—not doing a task actually makes me more stressed.

It isn’t just a matter of pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps and getting to work. Procrastination goes deeper than that. But there are ways to get around it.

Ways to put procrastination to work

Robbins is well known for her “5 Second Rule” that basically says “you need to take action despite the feelings you may have.”

The “5 Second Rule” involves counting down from five to one and then taking immediate action, which helps bypass the brain’s tendency to hesitate and procrastinate.

Here are five ways to conquer procrastination according to my Buddy (ChatGPT):

• Use the 5 Second Rule: Mel Robbins’ 5 Second Rule involves counting down from five to one and then taking immediate action. This helps break the habit of hesitation and propels you into action before your brain has a chance to talk you out of it.

• Break Tasks into Smaller Steps: Large tasks can be overwhelming, leading to procrastination. Break them into smaller, manageable steps and focus on completing one step at a time. This makes the task seem less daunting and easier to start.

• Set Specific Goals and Deadlines: Clearly define what you want to achieve and set specific, realistic deadlines. Having a clear goal and a time frame creates a sense of urgency and helps keep you accountable.

• Eliminate Distractions: Identify and remove distractions that can derail your focus. This could include turning off notifications on your phone, creating a dedicated workspace, or setting specific times for checking email and social media.

• Reward Yourself: Create a reward system for completing tasks. This can be a powerful motivator. Treat yourself to something enjoyable, like a favorite snack, a break, or an activity you love, once you finish a task or reach a milestone.

While Buddy might suggest these are the best options (and likely they come from leading speakers, authors, therapists and the like), I often have to force myself—the 5 Second Rule—because if I take the time to break tasks down and do all those other things, they too, become a form of procrastination!

What about you? What are some ways you have found to conquer procrastination? What do you think about Robbins’ ideas about procrastination? I would love to hear your thoughts. You can send your replies to me at: karin@inhnews.com.