Procrastination Planning Is Getting You Nowhere

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If you’re feeling called out by the title of this post, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into why you procrastinate with planning, why it’s a huge red flag, and what you can do about it.

What is Procrastination Planning?

First things first, let’s define what we’re talking about here. Procrastination planning (I call it Procrasti-planning) is when you procrastinate by planning to do something, but then never actually take action on those plans. It’s like a close cousin to procrasti-learning, which I’ve covered in another blog post.

Here’s the thing: planning feels productive. It gives us a sense that we’re moving towards our goals without actually having to leave our comfort zone. Plus, it gives us a little hit of dopamine – that feel-good chemical our brains release when we anticipate a reward. No wonder we love it so much!

But here’s the harsh truth: while planning feels good in the moment, it’s not actually moving us forward. We’re not taking any real risks or actions. Heck, we don’t even need to put pants on to plan! It’s a high-reward, low-risk activity that can become addictive.

Why We Get Stuck in Procrastination Planning

In my work with clients, I’ve noticed a few common reasons why we get trapped in this cycle:

1. Lack of confidence: Sometimes, we use over-planning to compensate for a lack of confidence in our ability to actually do the thing.
2. Fear of failure: We might be so afraid of failing that we get stuck in the planning phase, trying to account for every possible thing that could go wrong.
3. Wanting the result, not the process: Often, we don’t actually want to do the thing – we just want to have done it.

Let me share a personal example. For years, I thought I wanted to run a marathon. I’d spend hours researching races, creating training plans, and even registering for events. But you know what I never did? Actually start training.

Or if I did, I’d quit after a couple of weeks when I remembered how much I dislike long-distance running.It wasn’t until I had an honest conversation with myself that I realized the truth: I didn’t want to run a marathon. I wanted to have run a marathon. There’s a crucial difference there.

The Hidden Danger of Procrastination Planning

Now, you might be thinking, “What’s the harm in a little planning?” And sure, in small doses, it’s harmless. But when this becomes a pattern, it can have serious consequences.

Every time we plan something and don’t follow through, we’re reinforcing a narrative about ourselves. We’re telling ourselves, “I’m someone who starts things but never finishes them.” Over time, this erodes our self-confidence and shapes our identity in a way that can be hard to shake.

Breaking Free from Planning Procastination

So, how do we break this cycle? Here’s a step-by-step process I use with my clients:

1. Identify your procrastinate planning area: What’s the thing you keep planning but never doing?
2. Consider the worst-case scenario: What’s the absolute worst that could happen if you took action and failed?
3. Think about the most likely scenario: What’s more realistically likely to happen?
4. Ask yourself: Is the juice worth the squeeze?: Given the likely outcomes, is this goal really worth pursuing?

Let’s go back to my marathon example. When I went through this process, I realized that while the worst-case scenario might be getting hit by a bus (unlikely!), a more realistic risk was sustaining an injury that would prevent me from doing other activities I enjoy.

For me, that wasn’t worth it. Once I acknowledged this, I was able to let go of my marathon dreams and focus my energy elsewhere.

Moving from Planning to Action

If you’ve gone through this process and decided that yes, your goal is worth pursuing, here’s how to shift from planning to action:

1. Find someone who’s done it before: Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, find someone who’s achieved what you want to achieve and learn from them.
2. Create accountability: Whether it’s a coach, a friend, or an online community, find people who will hold you accountable.
3. Add structure and urgency: Set deadlines and create a structure that supports your goal.
4. Put skin in the game: Invest time or money in your goal. When we have something to lose, we’re more likely to follow through.

Remember, these elements are far more important than having the perfect plan. In fact, when I think back on the hardest things I’ve accomplished – like completing a half Ironman – it wasn’t the plan that got me there. It was the commitment, the community, the coach, the deadline, and the fact that I’d invested so much that I couldn’t back out.

The Hard Truth You Need to Hear

Here’s where I’m going to get real with you: If you’ve decided that your goal is worth pursuing, but you’re not willing to invest time or money in creating an environment for success, then maybe the juice isn’t really worth the squeeze right now.You might be thinking, “But Caren, I really want this thing! I just don’t have the time or money right now.”

And I get it.

But here’s the truth: if you really wanted it, you’d find a way to make it happen. Maybe not right this second, but you’d be actively working towards creating the conditions to make it possible.And you know what? That’s okay. Recognizing that something isn’t a priority right now is incredibly liberating. It allows you to close the book on that particular goal and focus your energy on what truly matters to you in this moment.

Your Call to Action

If you’ve resonated with anything I’ve said here, I want you to take a moment right now. Think about that thing you’ve been planning and re-planning but never actually doing. Go through the steps we’ve discussed:

1. Identify the worst-case scenario
2. Consider the most likely scenario
3. Ask yourself if the juice is worth the squeeze

Be honest with yourself. If it is worth it, what steps can you take today to move from planning to action? If it’s not, can you give yourself permission to let it go?

And if you’re someone who consistently struggles with planning and execution, I’d love for you to check out Distraction to Action. It’s a program I’ve developed specifically for folks who want to do all the things but struggle to follow through on any of them. You can find more information in the link below.

Remember, the goal isn’t to do everything. It’s to do the things that truly matter to you. So let’s stop planning and start doing – or have the courage to let go and redirect our energy to what really counts.Until next time, keep it real and keep moving forward!