Does Anybody Have A Map To Procrastination Station?

Sitting in my little spot chatting with friends online and dealing with some travel agency work (yes, I work part-time as a travel agent, check out my website <shameless plug here>). I started to think about all the things I'm procrastinating and why. There's always a reason for procrastinating it can just take some time to figure it out (or admit it to yourself).

For me, it took some digging, a few broken shovels, and a realization I was digging in the wrong spot the whole time to come to the final epiphany.

Why Do I Procrastinate?

Most of the time when I procrastinate it's because the task is for someone else. I'm not scared of the task. I'm scared of making someone mad at me because I didn't do the task as well as they wanted.

Now I know what you might be thinking (I don't pretend to read minds, so you might be thinking this or you may not)..."Why do you care if someone gets mad?" Well, dear Watson, it's simple. If someone gets mad at me, it's because I screwed up. Once again, I messed up and someone else saw it and realized I'm not as smart as I thought. My imposter mask has been ripped off and I've been exposed as a fake. In the immortal words of Taylor Swift, "It's me. Hi. I'm the problem it's me."

Over 30 years on this planet and I finally figured this out.

I procrastinate because I'm afraid of making someone else mad or disappointing them to the point I cause them distress.

What Do I Do About It?

Now the all-important question is, what do I do about it?

My only thought is this. Break it down. If I fail at X what is the worst thing that will happen? Once that is figured out, determine if I can handle that outcome. If I can, move on. Suppose I can't then think of a plan to handle it if it happens.

Either way, the version of me that is meant to handle the situation will be born in the moment they are needed.

All this realization doesn't mean I won't procrastinate more. It does tell me how to handle it. Hopefully, I can put this epiphany to use otherwise that was a lot of wasted brain cells.