12 Oct Why Procrastination Isn’t Laziness And What It Really Means
While procrastination is extremely common, affecting around 80–95% of people occasionally and roughly one in five chronically, it’s often misunderstood.
Some days it’s small stuff: replying to emails, tidying up or starting a project. Other days it’s bigger: making a career change, having a difficult conversation or chasing a dream you’ve secretly been thinking about for years.
Procrastination isn’t laziness. It’s our mind sending a signal. Usually, it means something feels uncertain, uncomfortable or scary.
Most procrastination comes from one of these places:
- Fear of failure – What if it doesn’t work out?
- Fear of success – What if everything changes and I can’t handle it?
- Perfectionism – What if it’s not perfect?
- Low energy or fatigue – Sometimes there’s simply not enough energy to start and the brain naturally resists additional effort.
In 2025, an important factor is overwhelm. Life is full. Work, bills, personal goals, relationships, social obligations. Social media reminds us constantly of all the plates we “should” be spinning. Not every task is necessary, yet our brains treat some like an emergency. (When was the last time you saw something online or in life and googled it within five seconds?!)
There’s also another sneaky factor: our brain loves comfort. It wants safety, ease and predictability. Starting a challenging task triggers discomfort, so our brains resist. That’s why scrolling social media, checking emails or doing “busy work” feels more appealing. It can make us feel productive, even when nothing important is getting done. Recognising this helps us see procrastination not as laziness, but as our brain doing exactly what it’s wired to do, avoid discomfort and seek safety.
So instead of beating yourself up, pause and notice what it’s really about. Ask: What actually needs my energy today? What can wait? (because some things can) What can I let go of? Letting go of unnecessary pressure makes action feel possible again.
Then take one small step. Even 5–10 minutes helps. Set a timer and just start. Often, the hardest part is beginning. Once we’re moving, momentum takes over.
Here are a few simple but effective strategies I use and share with clients:
- Top 3 tasks: Identify your three priorities for the day. Focus there. Anything else is a bonus.
- Tackle the hardest task first: Facing what you’ve been avoiding clears mental space and energy for everything else.
- Positive reinforcement: Reward yourself with a small act of self-care. If you complete a task, then call a friend for a chat, take a break etc.
- Set micro-deadlines: Break bigger tasks into tiny chunks with mini-deadlines to make progress feel achievable.
- Eliminate distractions: Put your phone on silent (or turn off), close unnecessary tabs, clear your workspace.
Momentum is key. Even the smallest step carries you forward. Action doesn’t have to be big, but some action has to be taken.
So, if you’re stuck today, notice the signal, prioritise what matters and take a tiny step, even just five minutes. Every small step moves you forward and helps the overwhelm feel lighter.
Waiting for motivation or readiness doesn’t work, YOU create it by moving.