The High Cost of Procrastination in Decision-Making: Trust Your Gut and Move Forward

The True Cost of Procrastination and the Perils of Perfectionism:

When decision-making is delayed, the consequences can ripple throughout an organization. Procrastination can lead to missed opportunities, decreased productivity, and even lost revenue. Moreover, the inability to make timely decisions can erode trust among team members and undermine an executive’s credibility.

Perfectionism is often at the root of decision-making procrastination. Many executives want to make the best possible decision, fearing that any misstep could damage their reputation or negatively impact the company. However, this mindset can be counterproductive, as waiting for the “perfect” choice can cause valuable time and resources to be wasted.

Two Key Types of Procrastination and the Reasons Behind Them

Co-authors Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy addressed this issue in a research project pertaining to the underlying emotional discomforts we all encounter from time to time. Subconsciously, they can prompt us to avoid starting a task, or in some cases, avoid one’s completing it. It is perfectionism and fear that are the real reasons we put off tasks at work. A consistent theme for people who’ve started to combat procrastination is letting go of the idea that everything they put out needs to be A+ work. 

There are two key types of procrastination:

• Procrastination Type 1 – Trouble Getting Started
  • One simply doesn’t know where to start. Perhaps the task is too nebulous or intimidating. It’s pretty tough to get started on something when you literally have no idea what the first step should be. You are left with too many unanswered questions pertaining to the likes of budget, approach and ultimate goal.
    
    
  • The task might be so big that it’s overwhelming, and you find yourself paralyzed. It’s tempting to simply pretend the task doesn’t exist. Maybe you dive into some smaller, business-as-usual work that lets you ignore the problem while still feeling
    
    
  • You feel inadequate. Although one has some of the skills and knowledge needed to address

    

    the issue there are aspects of the task for which experience and knowledge is lacking. Although willing to try, others may question why a person lacking in an area would take on such a challenge. It’s not the quality of one’s work. Rather the question of why one would even think of stepping into such a space.

• • You don’t want to do this task in the first place. Perhaps it’s work for which you question its’ value and importance. Or, you don’t see this as taking the team in the right direction. Though it may appear that you are just dragging in your efforts, in reality you are truly conflicted and haven’t begun yet.
    
    
• Procrastination Type 2 – Inability to Finish the Work
  • When time is not the issue and yet can’t bring it to completion the root cause is almost always … FEAR. Being afraid that others won’t like the work, one finds ways to avoid putting it out there.

• • Being driven by one’s inherent need to be perfect in all they do. In doing so one becomes less open to what can be valuable feedback. So much time has been spent working toward perfection that even trivial critiques become extremely personal.

Embracing Imperfection and Trusting Your Gut:
It’s essential for busy leaders to recognize that no decision is perfect and that waiting for the ideal option can be detrimental. By trusting your gut instinct and making decisions based on available information, you can move forward and adapt as needed.

Tips for Overcoming Decision-Making Procrastination:

1. Set deadlines:
   Establishing a specific timeframe for making a decision can help you focus and avoid falling into the trap of endless deliberation.
2. Prioritize decisions:

   

   Identify which decisions are most critical and focus on them first. By addressing the most pressing issues, you can alleviate some of the pressure that comes with decision-making.
3. Embrace uncertainty:
   Understand that there will always be unknown factors in any decision, and that some degree of uncertainty is inevitable. By accepting this reality, you can become more comfortable making decisions with incomplete information.
4. Consult with others:
   Seeking input from trusted colleagues or advisors can provide fresh perspectives and help you evaluate your options more objectively.
5. Reflect on past successes:
   Remind yourself of previous instances when you made successful decisions by trusting your gut instinct. This can boost your confidence in your ability to make sound choices.

The Benefits of Decisive Action:
By overcoming procrastination in decision-making, leaders can reap numerous benefits, including:

1. Faster progress:
   Timely decisions enable organizations to capitalize on opportunities and stay ahead of the competition.
2. Increased productivity:

   

   When decisions are made promptly, employees can focus on executing tasks and achieving goals, rather than waiting for direction.
3. Enhanced team morale:
   Decisive leadership fosters a sense of confidence and trust among team members, leading to a more motivated and engaged workforce.
4. Improved adaptability:
   By making decisions and taking action, executives can learn from experience and make course corrections as needed, ultimately leading to better outcomes.

Conclusion:
Procrastination in decision-making can be a significant obstacle for busy leaders at all levels of an

organization. However, by recognizing the costs of delaying decisions and embracing imperfection, leaders can learn to trust their gut instincts and make more timely, effective choices. By implementing the tips outlined above, procrastination can be overcome, productivity will increase and greater success will be achieved.

Procrastination serves a useful purpose! If procrastination is a symptom of emotional discomfort, that means it’s one’s brain telling them what they need in that moment. The trick is recognizing and interpreting the procrastination in the right way.
Mike Dorman