The cases of procrastination are many, but the most common ones can be avoided. In this post we point them out in a no-holds-barred way so you can identify and then get past them. Let’s dig in.

Cause #1: You’re In Way Over Your Head

Maybe you just bit off more than you can chew? They don’t say the road to Hades is paved with good intentions for nothing. If you’re passionate and driven but find yourself stuck, this could be one of the likely culprits. Take another look at what you’ve set out to do and see if you can minimize and simplify so you know exactly which (smaller) step to take next.

Cause #2: Fear of Illusory Outcomes

Whether it’s the fear of success or failure, outcomes aren’t real until you get to the outcome itself. And, 90% of the time things work out differently than we expect. If fear of success or failure is causing you to get held up in a rut, then step back and just take in the moment at hand. When you do that the fear melts away because you’ve given your mind a more immediate concern.

Cause #3: Your Goal isn’t Compelling Enough

If you don’t create a goal or vision of the future that’s compelling enough to get you excited and engaged, then chances are you’ll procrastinate. You’ll put things off because there isn’t enough importance to go around. Make your goals so utterly fantastic that there is no other choice but to make a move and get things done. The process becomes a joyous journey rather than the chore.

Cause #4: Inert Complexity

This is like cause #1, but rather than size we’re talking more about complexity. When something is too big and too close, you can’t really see it. Likewise, when things are too complex procrastination is really the only option. Are you procrastinating because what you want to do makes no sense? Admit that fact, and then re-focus. Find an entry point that does make sense, no matter how simple, and work your way systematically from there.

Cause #5: Unsure Ground at the Start Point

When you first begin, you might be hesitating because you’re unsure of how exactly to start. Maybe outcomes aren’t even in the mix yet because you can’t see beyond the first step. This is probably the easiest cause to avoid. All you do is just take the first step. Just do it. Once it’s done, it’s done. You can adjust and prepare until your hair turns grey, but nothing is going to happen either way until you get started.

Cause #6: Unrealistic Perfectionism

Yes, by all means be proud of what you’re doing. But, there’s a point where perfectionism starts getting in the way. Once you begin to backpedal, your desire to reach the ideal is now working against you. As soon as you realize that, you’ll probably procrastinate because no one wants to keep digging the hole deeper. Get started.

Cause #7: Spiteful Immaturity

Maybe you’re staying put to shove it to the man? Maybe you’re sabotaging your own future in spite of authority? Great; brilliant way to declare to the world you haven’t grown up yet. There are those rare and strategic cases where procrastination plays a role in success. Many of the world’s greats throughout history have been self-declared procrastinators But, they almost never do so out of spite.

Cause #8: You’re in it for The Wrong Reasons

Hey, listen you can project whatever and say whatever you want to the world around you. You can put on whatever front floats your boat. You can put on whatever show it takes for you to feel comfortable on your stage. But, you CANNOT fool yourself. If you’re not in it for the right reasons, you’ll self-destruct and procrastinate. Once you sense yourself losing interest, either get back in the game to win or play something else.

Cause #9: No Entertainment Value

Human beings need entertainment. It comes in countless forms, and it must be there to keep our interest. If that means you create your own entertainment to keep yourself from getting bored, that’s awesome! Do whatever it takes, but make sure there’s a steady stream of reward and entertainment. Without it procrastination will become a powerful enemy.

Cause #10: Lack of Physical Fitness

Fitness plays a role in everything we do, in the same way thought and breathing do. If you’ve let yourself go, you’re morbidly obese or you can’t even beat a snail in the rat race, it’s time to train. Physical training and conditioning is a great motivator and it makes the brain work at a more optimum level. Get off the couch and into the gym.

There you have it ladies and gentlemen, the holy grail of causes for procrastination. With that said, what kinds of personal and unique things do you do to stay on your game and focused when it’s so easy to sluff off?