When It Comes to Perfectionism, It’s Deeper Than Procrastination
You’re probably wondering why I’m talking about procrastination during peak “let’s circle back after the holidays” season. It seems fitting, though. Especially since it’s also peak “New year, new me” season and we’re setting goals that require us to show up — consistently and without delay.
Here’s the thing: Most people procrastinate. About 95% of people admit to procrastinating at least sometimes, while 20% are considered “chronic procrastinators.” But before you plaster a label on yourself, I think it’s important to differentiate between the various types of procrastination (yes, there’s more than one) and determine if “perfectionism-driven procrastination” is the actual culprit.
Why? Because if perfectionism is causing the delay, then it’s much deeper than poor time management or lack of prioritization. In the Forbes article linked above, the author shares:
“Procrastination arises when a significant disparity exists between our perceived abilities and actual capabilities.”
In other words, when perfectionists procrastinate, it’s often because we’re riddled with self-doubt and paralyzed by what we deem are unrealistic expectations — and we’re attempting to put off our inescapable failure in meeting those expectations.
So, like I said: It’s deeper than procrastination.
What can this look like?
- Spending hours (maybe even days, weeks, or months) researching or validating a business idea or concept instead of taking action.
- Putting off a difficult conversation with a co-worker or loved one in an attempt to find the “perfect” words or approach.
- Leaving a project until the last minute, allowing you to blame any mistakes or inadequacies on your lack of time vs. your (perceived) lack of skills or knowledge.
- Hesitating to share your art, post an article highlighting your expertise, or accept that speaking gig because you’re afraid to be “seen” or vulnerable.
And if you reflect on these examples, you’ll see this type of procrastination for what it actually is: a tactic for enabling perfectionism and coddling low self-worth.
The same Forbes article explains that avoiding procrastination requires shifting from the belief that “perfect work is expected from me” to realizing “what I do is enough and my worth comes from being my authentic self.”
So, here’s what I want us to do (myself included):
- Go deeper to understand the root of your procrastination. What thoughts or feelings arise when you think about doing [fill in the blank]?
- Create a go-to script or affirmation to help you combat self-doubt and self-limiting beliefs when you feel yourself starting to resist action.
- Identify the minimum viable action you can take to begin making progress and *do* it. (And no, research doesn’t count if you’ve already done a good amount)
- Embrace the power of “good enough.” In most cases, there’s space to iterate and continuously improve on an idea, project, and even a relationship. Lean into that reality.
Procrastination only scratches the surface when assessing the impact of perfectionism in our lives. By going deeper, we can start to uproot the beliefs and habits that get in the way of consistent, courageous action.
I hope you have a joy-filled and restful holiday season. And while most of us are putting off things until 2025, my wish is that this helps you reflect on ways to start the year with a plan to counterattack the self-doubt, low self-worth, and people-pleasing that’s fueling your perfectionism-driven procrastination and take meaningful action toward your goals.
This article was originally shared in the Human Over Perfect weekly newsletter. Subscribe to receive the newsletter in your inbox or directly in the app.
