Is procrastination something you do often? 

Do you procrastinate?

Are you saying to yourself, "Oh, I'll do it tomorrow” and you put off your task, action or project? Do you put off deadlines or not spend time on tasks essential to achieving your goals? 

Do you have problems with organization, self-esteem or stress?

When we arrive in our new country, the shock can sometimes be so strong that we can feel paralyzed and afraid and so we postpone things that we must do. We have both experienced this at the beginning of our expatriations.

Procrastination is the most common unconscious self-sabotaging process.

The perverse effect of procrastination is that the more you procrastinate, the more you get trapped by the passage of time. We then get into the habit of never getting started or finishing what we have started. As a result, we make little or no progress, devalue ourselves, and take away our sense of responsibility.

The three main consequences of procrastination:

1- We stagnate.

We don't take action, so we don't see any evolution or results. We tread water at square one. This will generate anxiety that will paralyze us further. We will have thoughts such as, "I'm not going to make it", "I don't know what to do or how to start", "I don't have the time to do it". These thoughts will serve as excuses not to start or continue and we will hide behind them.

2-We criticize ourselves.

We judge ourselves and maintain negative thoughts about ourselves; devaluing ourselves so much that we end up not doing anything. We will have thoughts such as: "I am not capable", "I do not have the necessary qualities to do x", "I never keep my commitments".

3. We identify with these behaviors and they become our identity.  

Since I don't take action and I procrastinate, it means that I am weak and I lack willpower. Our self-esteem and self-confidence are then in free fall. We then embark on and maintain a vicious circle that prevents us from moving forward or changing things. 

We stay in our comfort/knowledge zone.

Procrastination has a lot to tell us about ourselves. 

-Why are you self-sabotaging? 

-Are your needs being met? 

-What are your blocks, fears or limiting beliefs that prevent you from moving forward? 

-Do you feel a lack of clarity about your life and/or your future? 

-Does self-criticism take precedence over everything else?

Here are some questions you can start to think about to help you get out of procrastination:

-What is the purpose/why am I putting off this action? Is it really aligned with who I am and what I really want? Is it consistent with my values?

-Are my expectations of myself realistic? Am I looking for perfection? The perfect timing? What is the minimum required for success?

-What are the ideal conditions for doing this action?  Is the context chosen to do this action optimal for me? What do I have the power to influence?

-What parts of the action do I find most resistant/difficult? Can I simplify, delegate, and eliminate certain elements? Can I accept to ask for help?

-Are there other ways to achieve this goal? Can I experiment with different actions to achieve it?

If you need help to overcome your procrastination and finally reach your personal and/or professional goals, contact us today!

Our 1:1 coaching program will help you identify and define your values and goals (personal and/or professional) and work on your fears and blocks. 

Working together will make it easier for you to adapt to your new country and your new life.

If you would like to discuss this, book your discovery call today!

We are two of only a few ikigai and expat coaches who are trained and certified in the unique and powerful ikigai coaching framework and methodology approved by Japan’s leading ikigai authority, Clinical Psychologist Professor Akihiro Hasegawa, and developed by Nick Kemp of Ikigai Tribe.

 We use the ikigai philosophy to help expat women who are at a turning point in their lives; who want to gain greater clarity of their life path and life goals; who want to live with more vibrancy and purpose; who want more joy in their daily living...  

Our clients are often: newly arrived expats, trailing spouses, those looking to change careers & moms...

Click here to learn about our services and how we can help you. 

To read more of our blogs, click here.