Procrastination is super sneaky. None of us wants to procrastinate routinely, but many of us fall into the procrastination trap and the never-ending cycle of delay – stress – embarrassment – sleep deprivation – delay – stress – embarrassment – sleep deprivation. It feels like we have no more energy to do other things, especially new ventures that involve creativity and clear thinking.

So why is it so easy to fall into the procrastination trap yet so hard to escape from it?

The answer may be in our assumptions about how we need to behave in order to get things done. The following is a quick list of 4 common myths about productivity and our feelings about being productive that tend to keep us in the procrastination trap.

4 Myths that Keep You in the Procrastination Trap

1. I need to be very anxious in order to good work. We are taught as early as elementary school that doing good work is a good thing. As we make our way through high school our work becomes more complex as do our feelings about doing that work. Somewhere on that journey through high school, we feel stressed out about a paper, exam, or grade, and then, lo and behold, we end up associating our work with stress. We then start feeling stressed before we work. We can even feel stressed at just the idea of working. That is where procrastination walks in the door. At first, it is an innocent delay, but then procrastination becomes more of a routine reaction to work. So what’s the answer to this problem? Realize you do not need to be stressed out to do good work. We do our best work when our minds and bodies are clear from stress and anxiety. The next time you have an assignment or project you need to get done, decide what your first steps need to be and get those done without creating emotional drama and distress before you start. You’ll be relieved when you realize you can work without making yourself worried at the same time.
2. My work represents my value in and to the world. This particular myth is probably the single greatest cause of procrastination. When we believe our work represents our value as a person in the world, our work becomes more than just work — it takes on too great a significance as the concrete symbol of how good or bad we are as people. No wonder people refuse to finish their work and choose the procrastination trap instead! The good news is our work is not a measure of our value as human beings. The next time you have work to get done, address the work and what the work needs from you. Don’t demand that the work reflect your value as a person. Keep it simple, straightforward, and do your best to satisfy the task at hand, but don’t overwork it in any way. Get straight to the work and don’t waste your valuable time trying to predict how other people will react.
3. All of my work needs to be done perfectly. This is a variation of myth #2. When we attach our self-worth to our work, we force ourselves to make everything we produce top-notch. If we don’t, then we risk facing criticism and lowered self-esteem. But again, let’s never forget our work does not represent who we are or what we are worth. So how do you deal with your perfectionistic tendencies? Do good work but don’t sacrifice your well-being in the process. Push away any thoughts about how other people might react to your work. They are going to have reactions, but those reactions are not yours to control. Let your good work stand for itself.
4. I have to keep my problems getting things done hidden from other people. When we feel badly about our actions (or our inaction), we tend to want to keep this secret from other people. Our intentions are pure, but we feel the need to isolate ourselves from the people around us because we feel ashamed. Problem is, when we become socially isolated, our procrastination grows even more powerful. It’s harder to escape. We no longer have someone to talk with, someone to alert to our difficulty, someone who can remind us that everything will be okay. Since procrastination blooms in an atmosphere of isolation, make sure to reconnect with people in your life. Doing so will re-energize you and help you to regain your natural motivation.

How to Break Free from the Procrastination Trap

Anxiety, overwhelm, and self-doubt prevent us from feeling good enough to work at our best. When you are working, make sure you are focused purely on your work and not what the work might mean to your life, your position, or your self-esteem.  Don't complicate matters.  Simplify them.  Let your work be seen by others and let yourself receive feedback about your work. Let yourself get back into the flow of your work and free yourself from the procrastination trap once and for all.