I’ve just listening to an audio book this morning called “I Know What To Do So Why Don’t I Do It?” by Dr Nick Hall and it prompted me to write a blog post around procrastination. Let’s be honest: procrastination is a sneaky little devil and we’ve all been at its beg and call at one point or another in life. It disguises itself as “I’ll just do it tomorrow” (which is literally what it means in Latin funnily enough) or “let me quickly check my emails first” (guilty as charged). Before you know it, tomorrow becomes next week, next week becomes next month, next year and that thing you swore you’d finish is still glaring at you from the to-do list like a bad blind date.
For women in our 50s, procrastination can feel especially frustrating. We’re no strangers to hard work. But now, in this chapter of our lives, our dreams and goals deserve our follow-through. Because here’s the truth: procrastination doesn’t just delay tasks – it delays our growth, our freedom and robs us of our joy.
Why Finishing Matters
There’s magic in finishing what you start. Every time you follow through – whether it’s launching that side hustle, completing the online course you signed up for, or even finally cleaning out the garage – you build trust with yourself. And it’s a muscle that needs regular building.
Think about it – you’ve kept promises to everyone else for years. Now it’s about keeping promises to you. When you finish, you prove to yourself (and the world) that you are capable, committed and still just getting started. Who doesn’t love a good reinvention season, right?
The Cost of “I’ll Do It Later”
Procrastination isn’t harmless. It chips away at confidence and creates unnecessary stress. It whispers, “maybe you’re not ready” or “maybe it’s not the right time.” But let’s be honest, if not now, when?
We’re not here to waste our 50s waiting for “perfect timing.” Because it simply doesn’t exist. We’re here to live boldly in the here and now. Now is all we have after all.
Shifting the Mindset
Here’s the mindset shift that changes everything:
- Done is better than perfect. You don’t need flawless. You need finished.
- Momentum creates motivation. Don’t wait for inspiration – take the first step and let momentum fuel you. And it feels damned good let me tell you!
- Your word to yourself is sacred. Following through is an act of self-respect.
A Mini Action Plan to Beat Procrastination
- Chunk it down. Big projects overwhelm us. Break them into small, doable steps. And reward yourself for every step completed. (Cue Martini).
- Set a non-negotiable deadline. You wouldn’t miss a doctor’s appointment – so treat your goals with the same respect. See? You can do it!
- Eliminate distractions. Social media scrolling? Off. That “urgent” laundry? It can wait. Set a timer and get that shit done!
- Celebrate completion. Whether it’s with a glass of wine (did I mention Martini before?), a walk by the ocean (hell yes!) or blasting your favourite song (love my sports car for this) – honour and celebrate your follow-through.
Final Thought
Ladies, finishing isn’t about being busy – it’s about being accomplished and free. Every time you complete something, you’re not just crossing it off a list – it’s feedback and you’re proving to yourself that you matter. It’s self-love at its core.
So next time procrastination tries to sweet-talk you into putting whatever it is off, remember this: you’ve got decades of wisdom, grit and fire behind you. You don’t need “later.” You need now. Oh and you’ve got this!
Image: sora.chatgpt