The Collaborative Growth Blog

Top 10 Thoughts We’re Really Thinking When We Procrastinate and Feel Stuck

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I reached out to Marge Powers, Owner of Winning Ways after she ran her website through website grader.

Not because of procastination, but she hasn't started her blog yet. So, I  invited her to write a guest post.  It would be a great thing for all of  us if she did start a blog.

One of the main reasons people don't hire me to help them with their online marketing is because they just don't make the decision to get started; they let a bunch of B.S. in their head make up their mind for them. 

I'm sure that's the reason people don't make progress on a lot of things: Like me cleaning out the basement or organizing my closet. 

Here's her guest post about procrastination: 

If you don't stay ahead of it, procrastination and feeling stuck are insidious little varmints that scuttle around the baseboards of life, contaminating your best intentions. These little saboteuers love to perch on top of your to-do list, gloating, knowing full well who's Boss.

For twenty years I've been coaching people how to defeat their own self-defeating behaviors, especially feeling stuck in procrastination. Clients ask why they sabotage themselves, and why they can't seem to follow through.

Clients expect me to do more than just brainstorm with them for resourceful solutions. They want me to point out a bad habit or unworkable strategy that skews their perception or gets them off course. Here then, gathered from my 20 years professional experience as a Career and Life Coach are my (2) Top Ten Lists of why people procrastinate and feel stuck. As you are reading, consider which ones you use and how you can change what is not working.

List Number One: What Do You Say To Yourself?

1. I'm afraid.
2. I'm overwhelmed.
3. I can't see an easier way to do it.
4. I don't have the time.
5. I keep trying the same thing and I can't get the results I want.
6. I don't want to deal with this right now.
7. I'm too _____, to handle this right now.
8. It's not my responsibility.
9. I don't want to let go.
10. Yes, but ...........................

List Number Two: What Holds You Back?

1. Perfectionism (performance anxiety). "If I can't do it RIGHT, I won't do it at all." "I'll start just as soon as I get every single thing I need."

2. Paralysis (too much paper; too many stacks, boxes, cartons, albums), "I don't know where to start. It's too overwhelming."

3. Poor Procedures (lack of strategies, systems), "I don't know how to make it better." "I need a system. But first of need someone to install the system, what system?"

4. Pack Rat Programs (fear of not having enough), "As soon as I throw it away, I'll need it." "You never know when you'll need a ... (ripped shirt to wear when painting)."

5. Perceptual Problems (rationalization, denial), "What mess?" "I've got plenty of time. It isn't even due until.. (April, next week)."

6. Permissiveness (spoiled brat syndrome), "My momma always did this for us kids."

7. Peculiar Priorities (avoidance), "I'll write that term paper just as soon as I practice more guitar chords."

8. Petulant Passivity (passive-aggressive resistance), "Nobody can tell ME how to .. (organize a business, clean out a garage, etc.)."

9. Penitence (personal put-downs, guilt trips, Poor Me in disguise), "I know, I know, I just keep letting (myself, others) down." "I'm just screwed up.)

10. Partner Punishing (See #8).