195: Procrastination: why you keep putting things off (and how to finally stop)

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Hello everyone, welcome back to the Canny Crystals Podcast. I'm your host Mart Tweedy, and guess what? The replays of Manifest 2025 are now available to watch back. So if you had a ticket of any type to the event, just log in www.manifest.uk and you'll see the whole day available to watch back on replay in your backstage area. If you missed out on tickets for Manifest 2025 and you have serious FOMO, Don't worry, just head to the website and click on the little button under the video that says 'click here to purchase 2025's replay.' It really couldn't be any easier, but I'm still getting messages on a daily basis asking, 'How can I rewatch it?' And it is super cheap as well, cheaper than a takeaway for 8 hours worth of self-development from our incredible lineup of speakers. And while I'm on, I might as well just tell you we've already sold over a third of the tickets to Manifest 2026. It's happening on Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th of July 2026, which yes, it seems like ages away, I agree with you. But let me tell you, it sharp comes around. We've had so many people messaging us this year saying, "Please, have you got any spare tickets for sale?" because they'd missed out. Don't leave it till the last minute. Don't leave it to chance. You can come for the day, you can come for the weekend. You just basically choose which tickets that you want on the website. And right now We are still in the early bird phase of ticket sales as well, so these are the cheapest that they're ever going to be. The price goes up for general on sale at the end of July, so just make sure that you lock in your tickets ASAP if you are wanting to come. We'll be announcing our lineup over the coming months as well. There are some incredible people in the mix already. I'll leave a link in the show notes for today's episode so that you can click on and have a look for yourself anyway. Oh, and something else I want to mention before I start today's episode. I had someone message us last week, right? And they said, "Oh my God, I've just realised you've got a shop and you've got an online resource academy. I've listened to your podcast for over a year now." Honestly, right, I was baffled. I was thinking, have I not mentioned the websites in a while? But it just goes to show, doesn't it, that not everyone takes everything in on first listen. So, just while I've also got your attention, the discount code is the word "podcast." That's P-O-D-C-A-S-T. And it's available on everything. At both cannycrystals.co.uk, which is where you would buy your crystals, your candles, jewelry, books, incense, gifts, whatever it is, but then also at cannycrystalsacademy.co.uk, which is my self-development website with courses on manifestation, mindset, tarot, all that jazz. Just enter the word podcast to check out, you'll get your exclusive discount, so please do go check both of them out. Maybe it's because I mentioned them all at the end of the episodes and most people zone out by that point, Who knows? Anyway, let's get on to this week's episode because this is one that I didn't know that I needed to record until I had a bit of a personal breakthrough. And I'm just going to share it with you lot because I always share. So full transparency, last week, get this, I clocked 90 hours working on my business. 90. 9-0. As in more than 2 full-time jobs put together while also being a dad, trying to stay I was just in full hustle mode, squeezing work in whenever I could. From the second me little boy went to nursery to long after he was tucked up in bed at 7 PM, I'd be working till midnight like it was normal. Spoiler alert, it's not. But last week I decided to finally invest in myself again. Obviously the last 2 years has been quite hard going through the adoption process, um, having a baby, you know, releasing a book, dealing with Manifest. I've not really had any time to do any self-development. So I joined James Wedmore's Business by Design course. It's the first self-development thing I've done in a good couple of years, probably since Denise Duffield-Thomas's Money Bootcamp. And I've been listening to James's podcast for a couple of years now. He's kind of mindset, business coaching with a lot of woo-woo chucked in as well. So, you know, there'll be a bit of meditation, he talks about the law of attraction in business, but there's also little things that he calls Lego instruction manuals on how to do certain things in business. And looking at them, I was thinking, "Oh my God, that's so simple. Why haven't I done things that way instead of the long-winded way that I do things?" But the one thing that had the biggest effect on me was that getting clear on my business, it actually made me realize how I'd been putting me own growth on the back burner. So procrastinating, if we're being honest. So I carved out some time for me, actual self-development time, and I sent me little one off to Granny's on Saturday. Thanks, Mum. And by simply implementing just a couple of things from the course, I just saw a massive shift. And I mean a massive shift. So this week, just to put this into context, I've only worked 15 hours so far. It is Thursday as I record this. From Monday, I've worked 15 hours. That's one five, not fifty, fifteen. But by this point in the week, I'd have usually already done about 50 to 60 hours. 15 hours compared to the 90 the week before. Like, who even am I? And that's what I want to chat about today, procrastination. So why we do it, how it shows up, you know, even when we're in inverted commas working hard, and what's really going on underneath. So I'm going to share what's been working for me, how I'm learning to work smarter, not harder, and hopefully this helps to shift you as well. So it's not even like you need to be in business to take these tips on board because I'm sure we all procrastinate at some point or another, don't we? So whether it's taking the clothes downstairs to do the laundry or putting off doing some little chore around the house that we really can't be arsed to do after a hard day at work. We procrastinate all day, every day. Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you work, you're just still behind? I know that time is super precious for us all right now, and hopefully this episode will help you all time poor folk like me to make you realize what you're actually capable of. So I want to talk about how to stop putting off your dreams, and start making them your reality without burning out in the process, of course. So some of you might be sat there not even knowing what procrastination is. So basically, it's that magical skill where suddenly cleaning the inside of the toaster becomes more urgent than replying to an email, or where you find yourself scrolling TikTok watching someone organize their spice rack by moon phase instead of, I don't know, actually doing the thing that you plan to do. But seriously, procrastination is simply the act of delaying or avoiding a task even when we know it's important or actually in our best interest to do so. So, it's not just about being lazy. In fact, most people who procrastinate are actually very capable people. They just get stuck in that loop of, "Oh, I'll do that later," and then later somehow becomes next Tuesday in 2028. The thing is, procrastination doesn't mean you're lazy or you're unmotivated. I just want to get that clear from the get-go. It usually means that your brain is trying to protect you from discomfort. So whether that's fear of failure, fear of not doing it perfectly, or even fear of success and what that might bring. So instead of diving into something, you avoid it or you delay it and you go and alphabetize your tea bags. But don't worry, we're not here to shame ourselves. We're here to understand what's really going on underneath that resistance and to gently move through it as well, because I think the more awareness that you bring to your procrastination habits, the easier it's going to become for you to shift them. So now that we know what procrastination is, I want to dive into why we do it, because it's not just about bad time management or a lack of discipline, you know, like we've been made to believe it is. Because at its core, procrastination is a coping mechanism. It's basically your brain trying to avoid any pain or discomfort or anything that feels mildly unpleasant. So we are biologically wired to seek pleasure and avoid pain. That's just nature. It's just human nature. It's just a bit inconvenient when the pain is replying to your inbox or launching that offer that you've been sitting on for 6 months. Do you remember, for example, when I said I was going to launch a meditation and mindfulness course? Can you believe that was 7 months ago? That was back in December. Yes, I've had a busy year with me book coming out, the audiobook recording, Manifest, all that jazz, but it's been on my to-do list now for 7 fucking months. 7 months. So this is my accountability. I am going to get it finished by the end of July, okay? One key part of this though is something called task aversion. So if a task feels boring to you, or if it feels overwhelming, or emotionally triggering, or even just a bit ambiguous, your brain is basically going to throw a little tantrum and say something like, "No, let's go do something that feels easier or safer." maybe a bit more fun, like rewatching the same episode of Friends for the 18th time. But this is the kicker, because procrastination, it isn't actually about the task itself. It's about the emotions that we attach to that task. So whether it be fear, doubt, imposter syndrome, that little voice inside of us says, "What if it's not good enough?" or "What if nobody buys it?" So instead of facing that discomfort, we delay the task. And then we feel guilty about delaying it as well, and that creates more discomfort, which we then avoid again. So we're in this procrastination Olympics now where everyone's a finalist, you know, it just keeps cycling round and round. And it's also worth noting at this point as well that sometimes we procrastinate not because we're afraid of failing, but like I mentioned earlier, and I think it was like last week's episode, because we're afraid of succeeding, which is wild, right? But success can bring about change, visibility, responsibility, and your subconscious might not be 100% on board with that. So instead, it keeps you in your safe little bubble of, hmm, someday. Yeah, so understanding that is a total game changer because I think once you realize your brain isn't trying to sabotage you, it's just trying to protect you, you can stop beating yourself up. You can start working with your mind instead of against it. So we've established that procrastination isn't about laziness. It's that sneaky emotional response. But this is the thing, okay? Even though it feels like you're buying yourself relief by putting things off, the price that you pay is often much higher than you realize. Now, what I mean by this is— I'm going to start, I've got a few things written down, but the most obvious one here is stress. You know that low-level hum of dread that you feel when you haven't done a specific thing? It's that lingering kind of, "Ugh, I need to get that sorted," and it's a feeling that follows you around like a bad smell. That's the mental tax of procrastination. It adds up. Instead of freeing up headspace, delaying those tasks actually clutters your energy and it drains your focus. Then there's the guilt spiral. So you put it off, you feel guilty for putting it off, then you beat yourself up about it, which makes you feel less likely to do it, and that becomes a vicious cycle. And guess what? That guilt will keep on chipping away at your self-trust as well. So every time you delay something that you said you'd do, you're sending a little signal to your subconscious that you can't rely on yourself, and that's going to really, like, damage it inside. And let's talk about energetic alignment for a second as well. So if you're trying to manifest a new job or a thriving business, or maybe it's just like a better daily routine, whatever it is, your energy is rooted in avoidance and overwhelm. So you're going to be out of sync with the very things that you're trying to attract. You can't call in your dream life while ghosting your to-do list. It doesn't work like that. You need to take that action, and it also impacts your confidence as well. So every task that you avoid will become a mental block, and over time those little blocks are going to stack up and they're going to start to feel a bit like a wall. That wall is going to separate you from your potential, your creativity, and ultimately your progress as well. So procrastination doesn't just steal time, it steals peace, confidence, and alignment. But the good news is that once you start to see it, you can also start to shift it. So you can take your power back just one tiny action at a time. Okay, so I want to go into the how because I think if procrastination has been stealing your time, your energy, and your vibe, it's time to kind of get that power right on back. So I wrote down a few little things, like practical things that we can start doing today. You know, no overwhelm, no pressure. These are just very small shifts that create big results. So these are kind of things that I've been doing over the last couple of weeks. So the first is the 5-minute rule. You might have heard of this on other podcasts. You might have even, like, done it yourself. But if something feels too big or too boring or too scary, just commit to doing it for just 5 minutes. That's it. Just start the timer on your phone and do 5 minutes. You can stop if you want to, but 9 times out of 10, you keep on going anyway because starting is the hardest part. Once you're actually in motion, that momentum might take over, okay? The second is to break it all the way down. So if your brain sees something on your to-do list like build my website, it's going to scream, nah, no way, that's not a task, that's a mountain. So instead, go micro. You could start with open your laptop, write one paragraph of me homepage, choose a font. Tiny actions feel doable and tiny actions stack. So when something is bite-sized, we're more likely to just do it. And that's why I always say, when you're trying to achieve something or you're trying to manifest something in life, I always ask, what is one little action that you can take right now in this moment towards it? Okay, so just break it all the way down. The third thing is to time block with intention. So instead of having a huge to-do list that makes you want to fake your own death, just give your tasks a home in your calendar. Block out some time for focused work, for rest, for food, anything. And be realistic as well. So, if your energy dips after lunch, don't schedule your biggest task for 2 PM and expect magic. Now, my mam thinks I'm crazy because she'll get into me car, and when it connects to my phone, you know, via AirPlay or whatever it's called— CarPlay? CarPlay, I think it's CarPlay. When it connects to CarPlay, it comes up with me calendar on the side saying things like, eat, work. And she said just the other week, surely you know when you're going to work that day, you don't need to write it down, you don't need to know when you're going to eat. And I was like, well, no, actually, if I didn't schedule that time in me diary, my brain would think, oh, I've got a free hour here, let's just laze around and do sweet F/A. So, time block with intention in your diary. The next thing is to pick your frog. Now, this might sound a bit crazy, but bear with me. Have you ever heard the phrase, eat the frog? You might have, you might not have. It's a great book, but it just means doing the most uncomfortable task first thing. The one that you are absolutely dreading. So, there is a great book on this actually called Eat That Frog, and the reason I say this is because it is truly a game changer. Once the hardest task is out of the way, everything else just feels easier because you've climbed that mountain already, so you're just coming back down the other side. Nothing is going to seem as bad as that first task did. So it's basically productivity confidence building, and plus no frogs get harmed in the making of it. The next thing is to limit the temptations. So let's be real, your phone is a procrastination vortex. One scroll will become 20 reels. So try putting it in another room, using the Focus app. Maybe you put your phone on do not disturb, or you know, you set a cheeky little screen timer. Whatever works for you, just set yourself up for success. And the last thing that I've got on me list is to celebrate finishing anything. So we wait to celebrate big milestones, but honestly, getting your tax return done, that deserves a round of applause and a biscuit. Every time you complete something, your brain gets a hit of dopamine, and that makes you more likely to want to repeat that success and complete other things as well. So the trick to overcoming procrastination, it's not about becoming some productivity machine, it's just about creating gentle structure. And also removing friction and learning how to start even if you're not in the mood. And the more you practice, the more you train your brain to take that aligned action without the drama. Okay, so, you know, I also couldn't not bring a little bit of magic into this as well, because yes, procrastination lives in the mind, but it also lives in our energy as well. And I think sometimes what we need isn't another productivity hack, it's just a shift in our vibration.. So I've got a few of my go-to spiritual tools that can help you shake off that stuck feeling and move forward with clarity and confidence. So the first thing that I'm going to mention is obviously crystals, and I think crystals for motivation and focus can really help us here. So you can pop one of these in your pocket, on your desk, or yes, even in your bra if you're that way inclined. My number 1 crystal is carnelian. It is fire up energy. It's about courage, momentum, getting shit done, taking action. If you haven't got Carnelian, try Citrine. Perfect for confidence, positivity, creative flow. It's a little spark of "I can do this" energy. Try Clear Quartz if you haven't got either of them. It's the amplifier. If your intention is to focus, this crystal is going to double it. And last but not least, the underappreciated crystal of the whole crystal kingdom, Tiger's Eye. It really helps you make grounded decisions and ultimately push through fear and self-doubt as well. Okay, so something else you could always try is affirmations as well. You know, say them aloud, write them down, repeat them while holding your crystal. I would say something like, "I take inspired action with ease," or "Progress over perfection," or "Every step I take supports my future self." And if you're feeling super stuck, you could tap through it. You know, you could tap on the karate chop of your hand with your two fingers from the other hand and just say, "Even though I'm procrastinating and I feel blocked, I choose to let go of the pressure." You could do a few rounds of that while breathing deeply, and honestly, you will feel the emotional charge start to fade. Resistance loses its power when you meet it with compassion, okay? You could also do a quick visualization exercise if you really wanted to. So you could close your eyes, imagine your future self, the version of you who has completed the thing that you've been putting off, and then think about what do they look like, how do they feel, what are they proud of, how do they carry their self. Because let yourself just feel that relief, the joy, the spaciousness, and then ask yourself, like, what's one thing that I can do today to move closer to that version of me? And this is where spiritual practice meets real-world action, because it's not about waiting to feel ready, it's just about choosing to align with your vision one tiny shift at a time. So, like I was saying earlier, procrastination doesn't mean you're lazy. It doesn't mean you're not cut out for success. It doesn't mean you're flaky or unorganized or destined to fall behind while everyone else zooms ahead with their color-coded planners and perfect morning routines. It just means that you're human. That's all it means. You've got a nervous system that is trying to protect you. You've got a brain that loves comfort zones. You've got a heart that might be carrying some fear or self-doubt or pressure to get it all right. Right away. And let me just say, of course you procrastinate sometimes. That doesn't mean that you're broken, it just means that you're real. The real problem with procrastination isn't the delay in itself, it's the meaning that we attach to it. So the way we pile on shame and guilt when we don't get something done, it's the way we turn it into a story about our worth or our abilities. And then that shame is what keeps the cycle going, so it keeps you stuck in avoidance telling yourself, you know, "I'll start tomorrow," or "I need to feel more ready before I continue with this." But here's your reminder: you don't need to be ready to begin. I think I've said that a couple of weeks ago. I remember saying it. You don't need to be ready to begin. You just need to be willing to take the next best step, even if it is tiny, even if it's messy, even if you do it in your dressing gown with your hair in a pineapple bun and a half-drunk cup of tea next to you. Your dream life isn't waiting for perfect, it's waiting for progress. So think of it like this: every single time you take action, no matter how small, you are building trust with yourself. So you're just proving that you do follow through, that you can show up, that your goals are in safe hands. And that's how confidence is built. It's not through grand gestures, but it's through consistent imperfect movement forward. And yes, obviously sometimes you'll take two steps forward and one step back. That's normal. You'll still procrastinate from time to time. So do I. But now you've got awareness. You've got tools in your back pocket. You know how to interrupt the cycle and shift your energy with intention. So whether that's through a 5-minute timer, whether it's through a crystal in your bra, or whether it's through a little affirmation scribbled on a Post-it stuck to your mirror, you can do this. Let's also not forget as well, procrastination isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes it's just your intuition telling you that something needs a little tweak, you know. Sometimes it's your body saying, "I need rest." Sometimes it's the universe saying, "Not just yet." Yeah, the key is learning to discern between aligned rest and sneaky resistance dressed up as Netflix and biscuits. So I want you to ask yourself right right now? What's one thing, and I mean just one, what's one thing that I can do today to move closer to that version of me who doesn't second-guess themself? To the person who gets stuff done with ease and trust? To the person who shows up for their goals like they matter? Maybe it's just sending an email. Maybe it's putting your phone in another room and taking a deep breath before starting. It doesn't have to be big, it just has to be something. Get that energy moving, because when you take even the tiniest step, you shift from that state of thinking about it to becoming it, and that is really powerful. And let me just say, if no one else has told you this lately, you are doing better than you think. You don't need to hustle your way to worthiness. You're allowed to take your time and still succeed in the process, and your future self is already proud of you. So just keep on going, keep on showing up, keep choosing that aligned action even when it's wobbly, especially when it's wobbly, because the version of you that you're trying to become, they're already within you. You're just uncovering them one small decision at a time. Okay, so I really hope that this episode helps you if you suffer with procrastination or any form of putting things off. And if you've enjoyed this episode as well, please do help me out by leaving a rating or a review for the podcast. Wherever you're listening to it from, because it really, really does help. And in the meantime, enjoy this sunshine. We've got glorious weather this weekend. Enjoy it. Take some time off. Don't procrastinate. Put your phone away. Get shit done. And I'll see you next Friday for another episode. Speak soon, guys. Bye!

Finding great candidates to hire can be like, well, trying to find a needle in a haystack. Sure, you can post your job to some job board, but then all you can do is hope the right person comes along, which is why you should try ZipRecruiter for free at ziprecruiter.com/zip. ZipRecruiter doesn't depend on candidates finding you. It finds them for you. Its powerful technology identifies people with the right experience and actively invites them to apply to your job. You get qualified candidates fast. So while other companies might deliver a lot of hay, ZipRecruiter finds you what you're looking for. The needle in the haystack.

See why 4 out of 5 employers who post a job on ZipRecruiter get a quality candidate within the first day. ZipRecruiter, the smartest way to hire. And right now, you can try ZipRecruiter for free. That's right, free, at ziprecruiter.com/zip. That's ziprecruiter.com/zip. Ziprecruiter.com/zip.