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Putting it off until ‘tomorrow’?
We’ve all been there. Delaying the task you know you should tackle, only to find yourself reorganizing cupboards, scrolling through social media, sorting shoes, or re-watching a show you’ve already seen.
After avoiding that important task, feelings of guilt or shame often follow, making it even harder to get back on track with what you really need to do.
And this conversation continues…
This cycle can be incredibly frustrating. I’ve been through it too and still experience it sometimes. However, by recognizing what procrastination truly is and its root causes, you can start to make a change!
Procrastination is not merely about bad time management or laziness; it usually runs deeper, often rooted in your subconscious mind.
In this post, I will share my insights regarding procrastination and the subconscious, aiming to offer help if this resonates with you.
So, what’s the subconscious got to do with it?
Your subconscious mind operates quietly beneath the surface. It houses your long-standing beliefs, memories, emotional patterns, and fears.
Its primary role is to protect you, even if that results in keeping you from pursuing what you consciously desire. The focus of your subconscious is safety and survival over achievement!
Therefore, procrastination often isn’t about lacking motivation; it’s frequently a protective response kicking in.
Let’s explore how this works:
1. Fear of Failure (or Even Fear of Success)
If your subconscious links action with the possibility of failure—or the uncertainty of the unknown—it may apply the brakes. This aspect of your mind thrives on what is already familiar. Why? Because it considers your past experiences as safe. This is why habits become ingrained.
New and different experiences demand more from your mind, prompting it to inhibit progress and keep you in your current position to avoid strain.
Your mind will generate thoughts that keep you within the safety and comfort zone.
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“What if I make a mistake?”
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“What if others criticize me?”
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“What if I actually achieve success and everything shifts?”
These concerns often stem from deep-seated…
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rooted fears that lead to the ‘freeze response’. This makes you hesitate, put things off, distract yourself – and you label it as procrastination.
However, what’s really happening is that your mind is hindering your ability to change, as its primary focus is survival; doing nothing is the simplest way to keep yourself safe.
Reflect on this: What am I genuinely fearful of if I succeed? Or if I fail?
Recognizing these fear-driven patterns is the first step towards overcoming them.
2. Perfectionism (A Deceptive Form of Self-Protection)
Perfectionism often arises from an unconscious belief that you are “not good enough” as you are. This leads to hesitation in starting or finishing tasks unless you’re convinced they will turn out perfectly. That kind of all-or-nothing thinking can cause paralysis.
Your subconscious may think:💭 “If it’s not perfect, it’s not safe to share.”💭 “If I don’t attempt it, I won’t face the risk of failure.”
So you hold off. And hold off. And hold off…
Remind yourself: Progress is better than perfection. Completing something is more valuable than achieving perfection. Taking imperfect steps helps rewire your subconscious to feel safe with progress and movement.
3. Outdated Self-Image
If you’ve always viewed yourself as someone who “just isn’t very productive” or “has a tendency to procrastinate,” your subconscious is likely reinforcing that identity.
It’s not that you’re lazy – it’s that your mind holds onto the beliefs you’ve repeated over time.
The more you say “I tend to procrastinate,” the more your subconscious accepts this as truth.
Your subconscious always follows the narrative you provide about yourself and the world.
Begin to modify your language: Instead of saying “I’m such a procrastinator,” try “I’m evolving towards taking consistent, aligned action.”
Repetition is crucial – your subconscious absorbs the language you use, and it learns through repetition. Write positive affirmations and place them around your living and working spaces to read often!
4. Emotional Overwhelm or Avoidance
At times, the task itself may provoke uncomfortable emotions such as anxiety, shame, or self-doubt. Your unconscious mind tries to steer you away from that discomfort, pushing you instead towards distractions.
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Avoiding starting a business due to feeling overwhelmed.
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Postponing pitching an idea due to fears of rejection.
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Pushing back studying because it brings back feelings of not being “smart enough” in school.
Pay attention to the emotions that arise as you think about the task. Instead of evading them, identify them. Acknowledge them. When you cease resisting the emotion, it loses its strength – making it easier to take action. Emotions can be explained as vibrations that flow through the body.
Often, simply naming an emotion and taking a few deep breaths to allow it to be felt will let it pass within 60 to 90 seconds! Being willing to face uncomfortable emotions without pushing them away will empower you and demonstrate to your mind that you can manage discomfort while still taking necessary actions. This is incredibly powerful!
Consider these effective tips to combat procrastination by leveraging your subconscious mind to support rather than hinder you:
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Be Inquisitive, Not Judgmental – Shame fuels procrastination. Compassion eliminates it.
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Transform Your Beliefs – Use journaling, affirmations, or methods like hypnotherapy or PSYCH-K to reshape the beliefs that hold you back.
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Visualize Your Success – Your subconscious thrives on visuals and emotions. Imagine yourself confidently completing the task and…
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Start Small
– Even a tiny step shows your subconscious:
It’s okay to move forward.
Keep in mind that procrastination isn’t just laziness – it’s often a subconscious form of self-protection.
Once you realize what your mind is trying to shield you from, you can start to gently change those patterns.
The reality is: procrastination doesn’t indicate a flaw in you! You just have outdated programming running in your mind!
And here’s the great news: scripts and programs can be changed.
If you’re ready to stop allowing old beliefs to dictate your actions and actively pursue your goals, check out my Success Alignment Method. This program provides you with powerful tools to rewire your subconscious for greater success and ease!
Your subconscious is not against you – it simply requires new guidance.
Need assistance in identifying and releasing the beliefs behind your procrastination?
Let’s join forces to reprogram your subconscious, making success feel secure, achievable, and even thrilling. 💫
Schedule a discovery call here!