Episode 110: The Hidden Benefit to Procrastination

Show Notes

Episode Transcript

Jesse:
You are now listening to Leverage for Growth. Hey everybody, this is Jesse P. Gilmore, founder of Niche in Control and creator of Leverage for Growth. Welcome to the Daily Leverage Edition. Today’s topic is this, the hidden benefit to procrastination. Sit back, relax, and welcome to today’s Daily Leverage. We often think of procrastination as a thief of productivity, something to be avoided at all costs. But what if there is a silver lining to this seemingly negative behavior. The key lies in understanding why we are procrastinating. If we’re avoiding a task because it’s not within our unique ability, then perhaps we need to find the right person to handle it. As entrepreneurial guru or strategic coach, Dan Sullivan says, when we focus on our unique abilities and surround ourselves with the right people, we can achieve any goal. So let’s dive a little deeper into this. The Psychology of Procrastination isn’t necessarily a sign of laziness or a lack of discipline. According to a study published in the Psychological Science, it might be more about emotional regulation. If a task does not align with your strengths or interests, you might feel negative emotions when approaching it, leading towards procrastination. It’s like forcing a fish to climb a tree. It’s not a lack of effort, but a mismatch of abilities. And unique ability actually came from, as a term that came from Dan Sullivan, who’s a founder of Strategic Coach, and he promotes this concept of unique ability. It’s the idea that everyone has a set of skills or talents that they are passionately superior at. Focusing on tasks that leverage this unique ability can lead towards increased satisfaction and productivity, while delegating tasks outside of it can lead towards a well-rounded, more effective team. And delegating tasks is not a sign of weakness, but a strategic move towards building a stronger team. According to the Harvard Business Review study, leaders who effectively delegate have more productive teams and higher employee satisfaction rates. It’s like a back… basketball team that not everybody can be a point guard, but everyone has a crucial role to play. Building upon this concept of team development, creating a system where every team member is performing tasks aligned with their unique abilities can lead towards significant growth in business. According to a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, Companies that foster innovation by aligning employee tasks with their skills have higher growth rates. It’s akin to an assembly line where every worker is expertly handling their part of the production process. And high performers know the importance of delegation as well. According to a study by Gallup, the most successful leaders delegate effectively, driving productivity and building a culture of trust. Think of a successful orchestra conductor. They don’t play all the instruments, but guide each player to create a harmonious symphony. So let’s see how we can apply these principles across the domains of body, being, balance, and business. For body, it might mean delegating tasks that cause unnecessary stress or health issues. Maybe it’s time to hire a personal trainer or a nutritionist. In terms of being, or personal growth, Focus on learning and improving your unique abilities and consider seeking help or mentorship in areas that are not your strength. For balance, if house chores are taking up precious time from family or personal hobbies, hiring help could be the answer. And of course in business, building a team and system where everyone is aligned with your unique abilities will be the key to sustainable growth and reaching new heights. So the next time that you find yourself procrastinating, just take a moment to reflect. Is this task within your unique ability? Or is it something that someone else might be better equipped to handle? Remember by focusing on unique abilities and surrounding ourselves with the right people, any goal is within our reach. So now it’s time for the daily leverage. So where in your world, whether in your life or business, have you been procrastinating? Is it in your life with your health and body? Is it in your life with your spirituality or self-direction? Is it in your relationships with your spouse, partner, or kids? Is it in your business, finances, or team? And once you’ve located where you’ve been procrastinating and you know what needs to change, my question to you is this. What are you willing and able to do about it today? That is the end of the Daily Leverage. This is Jesse P. Gilmore. You’ve been listening to Leverage for Growth podcast. If you are enjoying these Daily Leverage and agency leverage episodes, Make sure to subscribe on Apple or Spotify now.