Tips on how to stop procrastinating and advance in your career

The battle against procrastination is one many of us face. You know that feeling. You need to get something done, but constantly put it off for seemingly no reason at all. Even though it’s more common than you think, procrastination can be a hindrance to our personal and professional progression. So, how do we fight the urge to procrastinate and finally move forward in our careers?

In this blog, we’ll explore the origin of procrastination and provide pragmatic strategies for overcoming the habit and advancing your career. We cover: 

• The main cause of procrastination

• How procrastinating hinders your career

• How to break out of procrastination 

What is the main cause of procrastination?

Procrastination, the act of delaying tasks or decisions, can be a silent roadblock that impacts not only your personal life but your professional career. Before we can tackle the issue, we must first understand why it happens in the first place. Here are a few of the main reasons we procrastinate.

Lack of confidence

Many times, procrastination can stem from a fear of not meeting expectations or doubt in your ability to adequately complete the task. This may also be fueled by fear of the potential consequences on the other side of a decision. The apprehension of falling short can create a paralyzing effect, causing you to delay tasks rather than confront the perceived risk of failure.

Lack of drive

When you lack personal interest or intrinsic motivation to complete a task, you may procrastinate because you perceive the activity to be less rewarding. This usually happens when you are not emotionally attached or feel a sense of complacency about the outcome of the task.

Lack of interest

Certain duties may be simply boring, uninspiring, or unpleasant. In this case, you may procrastinate to simply avoid mental or even physical discomfort. In these situations, the natural inclination is to delay tackling these tasks to avoid the negative emotions associated with them.

Lack of clear goals

Without clearly defined goals, you may struggle to find purpose in your tasks or a clear sense of direction toward the intended results. The lack of precise objectives further diminishes motivation to initiate and complete tasks, creating a sense of uncertainty, which hinders progress. 

How procrastination hinders your career growth

Procrastinating at work can cause several issues and may cause you to become stagnant in your career growth. Because procrastination is usually a symptom of a bigger issue at play, its impact on your overall work performance may compound those underlying problems.

Constantly pushing your projects to the eleventh hour is a bad habit that shapes your reputation as the person who's always late with their work. This takes a toll on your working relationships and creates a lack of trust among colleagues.

Your procrastination doesn't just affect your work; it has a trickle-down effect on the entire team dynamic. If your colleagues are constantly waiting for your tasks to be completed in order to move forward, you're unintentionally dragging down the productivity of the team and slowly diminishing morale.

In the world of business, tardiness is often synonymous with monetary loss. Plus, racing against the clock usually results in work that's not exactly stellar. Companies don't like losing money or subpar results, and they might start waving disciplinary actions or a performance improvement plan in your direction.

If your employer realizes that you're slacking on company time, they might question your impact on the company's growth which could mean missed opportunities for promotions or raises. In the worst-case scenario, you could find yourself facing demotion or the dreaded termination notice, all due to your habit of procrastinating.

How do I break out of procrastination?

Overcoming this habit is crucial for unlocking your full potential and propelling your career forward. Once you’ve identified the cause of your procrastination, you can then put strategies in place to stop procrastinating. Here are 6 tips to help you stop procrastinating: 

1. Set clear goals

Make sure each task has clear short-term and long-term goals. Clear objectives provide a roadmap, making it easier to stay focused and motivated. Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed. 

2. Create a structured routine

Establishing a daily routine helps build discipline and minimizes the likelihood of procrastination. Allocate specific time slots for work tasks, breaks, and personal activities. Consistency is key to forming productive habits. 

3. Prioritize tasks

Not all tasks are created equal. Prioritize your responsibilities based on urgency and importance. Tackling high-priority tasks first ensures that critical work is completed before less crucial activities. 

4. Break tasks into manageable steps

Large projects can be intimidating and lead to procrastination. Break them down into smaller, more achievable steps. Completing these smaller tasks provides a sense of accomplishment and motivates you to tackle the next one. 

5. Eliminate distractions

Identify and eliminate potential distractions in your work environment. Turn off non-essential notifications, create a dedicated workspace, and communicate boundaries with others to ensure uninterrupted focus. 

6. Seek accountability

Share your goals with a trusted colleague, friend, or mentor. Having someone to hold you accountable adds a layer of responsibility, making it less likely for procrastination to creep in.

By understanding the causes of procrastination and implementing these strategies, you can break free from its grip and propel your career forward.

Need support to propel your career growth? Consider our career coaching services to take your career to the next level.

Key takeaways:

1. Whether it's fear of failure, lack of motivation, or lack of clarity, identifying the root causes of your procrastination empowers you to address them effectively.

2. Procrastination jeopardizes career growth, erodes trust among colleagues, and can lead to disciplinary actions or termination due to consistently last-minute work delivery.

3. To conquer procrastination and boost your career, identify its root causes and employ strategies like setting clear goals, establishing routines, and seeking accountability.