Moving Past Procrastination!

Do you ever get that feeling your brain is actively working against you? Like it's picking random distractions just to put off tasks you promised you'd do yesterday? This episode of the Truth About Dyslexia looks at procrastination and how it intersects with dyslexia, giving you a fresh perspective on why you may delay some tasks yet jump into others without a second thought.

We talk about two core reasons behind why we procrastinate, and we explore how dyslexic thinking can accentuate that push and pull. There's also a moment of lighthearted reflection on how I managed to mis-spell my own Instagram handle! Let’s see what’s going on behind the scenes of our dyslexic minds when it comes to procrastination.

How Dyslexia Fuels Procrastination

Many of us with dyslexia see our unique way of thinking as an asset. We connect dots others might miss and solve problems in creative ways. Yet our brains can also wander off-topic at top speed. This wandering can lead to procrastination, especially when the task at hand feels either too boring or too overwhelming.

When I'm immersed in something I enjoy, there’s almost no procrastination. I throw myself into it. However, if the task seems monotonous or I can’t see a nice clear path to completion, my brain finds a million reasons to do anything but that task. It’s like it reels out a to-do list of new distractions, each one more tempting than the last.

As I shared in the podcast, procrastination isn’t always the enemy. Sometimes it’s a sign we need clarity, better pacing or a quick mindset reset. But too much of it can knock us off track and feed that pesky cycle of guilt.

“I personally think it comes down to 2 reasons why we procrastinate on some things but then don't on others.”

Key Reasons We Fall Into Delay

You might ask, why do I choose distraction if it leaves me in a pinch later? If you’re dyslexic, your brain naturally searches for excitement and novelty. So repetitive tasks or unclear goals get pushed aside. I've seen two main reasons we procrastinate:

• Lack of clarity: If the final goal or instructions are muddy, we may feel lost or uncertain, so we hesitate.
• Emotional block: There might be anxiety, fear of failure or dread swirling around a task, which fuels avoidance.

When a task sparks curiosity or has a clear roadmap, we hop right to it. If it doesn’t, our brains may spark a hidden feeling that it's better to scroll social media or watch that 50th cat video.

Finding Patterns and Shifting Them

Most of us procrastinate in some part of life. Maybe it’s business admin or that email you fear won't come out right. A big step is noticing which tasks get stuck in your procrastination loop and which tasks don’t. That shows you what triggers are lurking beneath the surface.

Once you identify tasks you're delaying, try these strategies:

• Break tasks down: Clarity often surfaces when you see a path made of smaller steps.
• Add interest: If you can't change the task, change your approach. Add music or gamify the process.
• Give yourself a timer: Five minutes of movement can be enough to kickstart motivation.
• Celebrate progress: Reward yourself, even if the progress is small.

It sounds simple, but there's real power in turning a shapeless project into doable steps. Dyslexic brains love variety. By moving in bite-sized pieces, you feed that craving without letting it sabotage you.

Learning from a Little Spelling Surprise

Remember when I mentioned a silly moment with my Instagram handle? Well, in the podcast, I said I'd spelt it a certain way, only to find I’d done it all wrong. Talk about a wake-up call. But it taught me something valuable. If you’re putting off a job because it feels like a hassle, well, check if you're mixing up one detail that could change everything.

I updated my handle to StephenMartinCoach. Fixing one small step often reveals how procrastination can trick us. It’s a tiny example of how we resist a task, yet once it’s done, it's liberating. If there's a simple part of your to-do list you can correct now, do it. You might be surprised how quickly momentum builds.

Transforming Procrastination into Action

We don’t want to shame ourselves for procrastinating, especially when dyslexic thinking is part of who we are. Instead, we can explore ways to harness our strengths. If you are creative under time pressure, set shorter deadlines. If you collaborate well with others, ask for help. If you need a mental break every hour, factor that in.

Procrastination can become a catalyst for prioritising what matters. It’s often a sign that your brain feels bored or uncertain. The trick is to find a gentle way of making tasks simpler or more engaging, instead of beating yourself up with negative self-talk. Once you find that sweet spot where tasks engage your dyslexic superpowers, you’ll find a world of difference in how quickly you flow through your day.

• Recognise why you're avoiding the task.
• Break it down or switch up how you're doing it.
• Create a mini deadline or accountability buddy.
• Reward yourself for even small wins.

We are wired to think outside the box, so let's lean into that. Use everything at your disposal to keep that inner spark alive.

Key Takeaways

• Procrastination often stems from unclear tasks or emotional blocks.
• Dyslexic minds crave variety, so cutting big tasks into smaller steps works wonders.
• A single detail, like a misspelt handle, can reveal where we’re stuck.
• Harness dyslexic strengths to make tasks more interesting or to find support.
• Treat procrastination as a nudge to reassess and adapt your approach.

Curious to dive deeper? We chat about all this and more in our latest podcast episode. The player’s right at the top of the page, so take a listen. If you’ve ever wondered why your brain is being a cheeky trickster, you’ll find comfort and insights in this episode. I hope it helps you understand dyslexia and procrastination in a new light.

Ready for the full story, plus a laugh at my Instagram mishap? Hit play on the episode above. See you there.