Have you ever put off going to the doctor even though you knew you should get that check-up? Maybe you’ve delayed starting an exercise program, quitting smoking, or making that important phone call you’ve been avoiding for weeks.
Perhaps you’ve been meaning to improve your diet, start that business idea, or finally write the book that’s been on your mind for years.
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Most of us have areas where we delay taking action, even when we know we’ll regret it later.
Here’s what I want you to know: You are not broken. This tendency is not a character flaw.
What’s Really Happening When You Put Things Off
Think about an old-fashioned light bulb for a moment. When you flip the switch, electricity flows through a very thin wire called a filament. The filament itself doesn’t create resistance – it’s how the electricity encounters that particular material that creates the resistance needed to produce heat and light.
Putting off important tasks works the same way. The task itself doesn’t create resistance. It’s the meanings you give to that task that create the internal resistance you feel. Just like the electricity encounters resistance based on the material it meets, you encounter resistance based on the meanings you’ve assigned to what you need to do.
The psychologist Dr. Timothy Pychl defines procrastination as “putting off a task until later knowing that you will be worse off for doing so.” Notice what this definition doesn’t include? It doesn’t say anything about your character, your worth, or your capabilities.
The Real Culprit: The Meanings You’ve Created
Here’s the breakthrough insight: Resistance comes from the meanings you give to tasks, not from who you are.
When you avoid doing something, there are specific thoughts and judgments running in the background. These meanings might sound like:
- “This is too hard for me”
- “I’m not good at this kind of thing”
- “If I don’t do it perfectly, I’ll look stupid”
- “This shouldn’t be so difficult”
These aren’t facts about you or the task. They’re meanings you’ve created – and meanings can be dissolved.
How to Uncover Your Hidden Meanings
Want to discover what’s really stopping you? Try this simple process:
Step 1: Think of a task you’ve been avoiding.
Step 2: Notice what feelings come up, then pay attention to your thoughts.
Step 3: Look for any thoughts that judge or evaluate yourself, the task, or anyone connected to it.
Let me give you an example. One of our students was avoiding cleaning a messy room. Here’s what he discovered:
- Task: Cleaning the room
- Feelings and thoughts: “Blah, I don’t want to, this sucks”
- Hidden meanings: “I can’t do this. It’s too much for me.”
Once he identified those meanings and dissolved them using our process, he was able to tackle the room in manageable pieces.
Why This Changes Everything
When you understand that procrastination comes from meanings rather than character flaws, everything shifts. You stop beating yourself up and start getting curious about what meanings might be in your way.
You also realize that pushing yourself harder or forcing action often backfires – just like a light bulb burns out when you force too much electricity through the filament.
Instead, you can identify the meanings creating resistance and dissolve them. Then action becomes natural, even enjoyable.
Your Next Step
You now know how to identify the meanings that cause procrastination. But how do you actually dissolve them?
That’s exactly what I teach in the Lefkoe Occurring Course. This isn’t about willpower or time management tricks. It’s about eliminating the meanings that keep you stuck so you can take action with ease.
One student from last year, Gabriel, shared: “I’m absolutely loving the course. It’s set up fantastically, the interaction in the group is amazing and I didn’t have so much fun in a long, long time.”
The course is currently open for registration, but only for people on our waiting list. We limit enrollment this way because it allows us to work with students who are truly ready to make this shift.
At the time I’m writing this, there are still spots available. Once you join the waiting list, you’ll be taken to a confirmation page with a link to register.
Click here to join the waiting list →
Remember: Your tendency to put things off isn’t a life sentence. It’s just meanings that can be dissolved. And once they’re gone, you might be surprised at how naturally productive you become.
Ready to stop fighting resistance and start dissolving the meanings that create it? The Lefkoe Occurring Course shows you exactly how. Join the waiting list to secure your spot.
