Have you ever wanted to do something big, like write a book, start a business, or learn a new skill, but you couldn’t get past the planning stage? You plan, strategize, and investigate everything thoroughly, yet you never actually do anything. When one becomes paralyzed by analysis, a condition known as “analysis paralysis” sets in.
Imagine instead if I told you that the secret to realizing your goals could lie in the Phrase Stop Planning, Just Start Doing. Instead of becoming stuck in a rut with big intentions, this method encourages doing something, even if it’s only a little. Let’s delve into the reasons why we become stuck in a rut of overplanning and look at some practical ways to break free from that rut and start making progress towards your goals.
Reason for OverPlanning and Postponing Your Work
While some of us put off tasks because we think we have ample time, others put off tasks because they worry they won’t succeed. Therefore, it’s essential that you first determine the fundamental cause of procrastination if you want to avoid it and be productive.
Knowing what needs to be treated will increase your chances of success. You will be able to devise a sound plan of action to stop this behavior in this way. Among the most typical reasons people put things off are;
An obsession with perfection:
Michael Hyatt stated in his book Living Forward, “Perfectionism is the mother of procrastination.” How do you believe procrastination and perfectionism are related? These two terms don’t mean the same thing. Perfectionists either procrastinate or find it difficult to work efficiently because they are afraid of making mistakes or falling short of their goals.
They feel pressured and insecure about failing or making mistakes because they want to complete every task flawlessly. Rather than feeling proud of themselves for even trying or doing 90% of a task, many people need more motivation. If this is how you think, stop worrying and give yourself a pat on the back for taking action rather than doing nothing.
Holding Out Until the Very Last Minute:
Setting work priorities is necessary to fulfill deadlines. Rather than holding off until the last minute, set distinct due dates for yourself to finish your larger work in phases. Acknowledge and celebrate your tiny victories; this will help you feel better about yourself.
Avoidance:
We put off doing the assignment because we were afraid of failing and receiving negative feedback. Avoidance won’t help; you’ll eventually need to put forth some effort and deal with the fallout. Muster all your bravery and take a chance.
Difficulty Specifying Goals:
When creating your objectives, be careful to select SMART goals. Your objectives must be time-based, meaningful, quantifiable, achievable, and explicit. By adhering to these standards, you will be able to set realistic goals easily and accomplish them.
Although there are many more reasons why people procrastinate, the ones listed above are some of the most prevalent ones. If you find yourself procrastinating frequently, attempt to figure out why. When you’ve determined what caused it, try to replace this unhealthy habit with a new one. It’s simpler to replace a negative habit than to stop it.
Fear Of failure:
As previously said, don’t worry about the outcome—try your hardest. If you persist in your efforts, you will succeed; do not allow your fear of failing to undermine your self-assurance. You release negative energy into the universe when you think badly, and negativity draws negative energy.
Your fear will cause you to become anxious and prone to making mistakes because it will pull all of your focus away from your task or project.
Find Difficulty in Concentrating:
Given that we all own smartphones and live in a digital age, it’s getting harder for us to focus on a single task. We constantly have our phones with us, which makes it difficult for us to focus. A single notification might take your focus away, causing you to reply to messages from friends or check social media.
When working on the assignment, designate a specific time and put your phone aside during that period. If your family members are present, tell them not to bother you since you need to finish this critical task.
Fear of Criticism:
Even though nobody enjoys criticism, it happens from time to time. We all endure criticism; what matters is how you respond to it. However, some of us respond, while others grin and move on. Never allow anyone to prevent you from realizing your dreams.
Thank yourself for trying, even if you don’t succeed. Recognize your worth because you’ve tried, at least. You will only know what you are capable of, where you fall short, and what needs to be improved if you do it.
Low Self Esteem
We don’t believe in ourselves, and we’re not sure what we can or cannot accomplish. These people are pessimistic rather than hopeful. If you put in the necessary effort and go in the right direction, everything is possible for you to achieve.
Check out our latest blog on improving low self esteem or simply click here.
Having Depression
Depression may be one factor contributing to procrastination. Individuals with depression tend to avoid engaging in productive activities. They are either uninterested or lacking in vigor. Individuals who suffer from depression think that nothing can be done because things will never get better. No matter what, they are never able to achieve anything.
You have control over your thoughts; resist the urge to let depression rule it. All you need to do is begin concentrating on your tasks instead of obsessing over them. Your energy will naturally increase as you start to reach your goals.
How to Stop Planning, Just Start Doing It?
Discover the Main Causes of Procrastination:
Before you can start addressing your procrastination, you must comprehend the causes of it. For example, are you putting off a chore because you think it will be tedious or unpleasant? If that’s the case, act swiftly to resolve it so you may concentrate on the more pleasurable areas of your work. Procrastination might result from a need for more organization. Because they make efficient schedules and employ prioritized to-do lists, organized people can overcome it. You can prioritize and set deadlines for your projects with the aid of these tools.
Even with organization, work may still feel too much for you to handle. You may put it off and find solace in working on tasks you know you can accomplish because you are unsure of your skills and fear failure. Some people are more afraid of success than failure. They believe that if they are successful, they will be inundated with demands to take on more work.
Unexpectedly, procrastinators tend to be perfectionists. Frequently, people would prefer to avoid performing work that they believe they lack the necessary skills for than to perform it poorly. Making bad decisions is a major contributing factor to procrastination. If you are still trying to figure out what to do, you will probably put off deciding out of fear that you will make a mistake.
Don’t plan it for the next day:
“I will start next…” is another rabbit hole. By putting off finishing this sentence, which may be finished with the terms week, month, quarter, or year, you are exhibiting procrastination. It’s the same as giving up on your New Year’s resolution before January 14. Convincing yourself that you will start at a later time will not likely cause you to put off starting a task.
That would be the best time to start already. Being in the now is the best time to act. After finishing your planning and research, start using your present resources right away and improve them as you go. If you are genuinely committed to achieving a goal, you will find a way. Excuses will start to appear if nothing is done.
Start doing work with a Strategic plan:
This involves taking action and delaying the intended course of events. Now that you have finished the previous phase, you may implement specific tasks, routines, and actions. For example, you may make sure you have a planned morning routine by adding each task to your calendar on a monthly or daily basis.
To plan your day efficiently, it is advised that you arrange your schedule the evening before to prevent going through the day aimlessly or automatically. Without a schedule, unforeseen obligations and errands might take over your day and cause you to lose a lot of time.
Use the 5-second rule:
Sometimes, the hardest part of doing a task is just getting started.
The hardest part of working out can often be getting ready to work out.
Difficulty getting out of bed and a desire to rise early.
Writer Mel Robbins is the author of “The 5-Second Rule.” It is simple but effective. The secret is to mentally count down from 5-4-3-2-1 and then accomplish whatever you were going to put off right now. When your alarm goes off, start counting down and get out of bed.
Break down your goals into manageable steps:
Often, the scary aspect of the goals forces us to pursue our aspirations faster. Fear should motivate you to start, but it’s good if your ambitions make you feel afraid. To offset this, divide the primary goal into smaller, less daunting ones. Start with the first one today, and then each day, complete one task that advances that objective.
Take out your journal and ask yourself, “What steps can I take this year to accomplish my goal?” Rethink and ask yourself, “What specific steps can I take this quarter to make progress?”
Based on the action plan you have created, ask questions until you have answers that you can put into practice for this week or today. Keep an eye on your weekly and daily assignments and strive to finish them.
Keep in mind that perfection does not exist:
Remember that there is no such thing as perfection. This is important to remember since perfection is not linked to starting something. It is easy to become mired in the idea that a plan needs to be fixed. It is only possible to judge a strategy’s effectiveness once it is implemented. Overanalyzing and rewriting a plan can make it less successful. I know I said before that there is no such thing as a perfect plan, but in case you, too, think there is such a thing as an ideal plan, I must continue.
No matter how hard you work, you can always do better. Think about how technology has changed over time, from bulky phones to smartphones with a growing number of cameras and features. From 3G to 4G and now 5G technology, we have come a long way. Improvement is feasible in every way.
Avoid Tech Related Distraction:
Most of the time, you can use only some of the technology at your disposal. For instance, wait to use your smartphone or go online until you’ve finished a spreadsheet if you’re working on finishing one in Excel.
Setting aside particular periods to engage in activities unrelated to work or study is another strategy for controlling electronic distractions. Give yourself a five- to ten-minute break every hour to “fix” your digital or social media issues before returning to work.
As a project progresses, you’ll frequently discover that you establish a consistent workflow and rhythm and breeze through these planned pauses because you’re so focused on finishing the job at hand.
Matt Santi is an inspiring personal growth and development leader. With over 15 years of experience in business management, HR, and operations, Matt’s career has shaped his passion for guiding individuals on their journey of self-improvement.
As an Eagle Scout, Matt’s dedication to service and community drives his commitment to helping others reach their full potential. He is a self-described personal development enthusiast, always eager to learn and grow from new experiences. Matt’s unique perspective and positive outlook on life influence his approach to writing and coaching others.
Matt’s writing on personal growth and development topics with a straightforward and actionable approach provides readers with practical tools and strategies to help them discover their strengths and abilities. His energy and expertise make him a valuable asset to anyone looking to cultivate a more fulfilling and purposeful life.
