EP429: You’re Halfway There: How Procrastination Is Keeping You From Your Finish Line Based on Your Enneagram Type

We are halfway through the year. Let that sink in. Six months gone, six months left. And you. You're halfway there. Halfway to the goals you set in January. Halfway to the dreams you whispered to yourself when the year began. But right now, procrastination might be standing between you and your finish line. Procrastination isn't harmless. It's a quiet contract you make with your fears. It's the way you abandon your deepest desires in favor of comfort. It looks like perfectionism. It sounds like I'm just not ready. It feels like staying busy with everything except what matters most. And procrastination isn't the same for everyone. It has a very unique flavor for each Enneagram type. For some, it shows up as endless planning. For others, it's people pleasing or chasing shiny new ideas. We'll get into all that every day. You let procrastination win. You teach yourself you can't trust yourself to finish. And the halfway point of the year becomes the halfway point of your potential again. But it doesn't have to end this way. When you understand how procrastination shows up for your Enneagram type, you can move through it with compassion, clarity, and unstoppable momentum. The year isn't over, and neither are you. You're halfway there. And it's time to cross your finish line. Let's go. Hey. Hey. And welcome to the Enneagram Edge. I'm your host, Tracy o'. Malley. Enneagram expert leadership coach, recovering control freak, and your personal translator for the shit you keep repeating but don't totally understand yet. Now, if you're new here, buckle up. This is absolutely not another fluffy Enneagram podcast where we talk about how sweet it is to be an Enneagram too. And bake cookies for your friends. No, this is the real deal. This show is about using the Enneagram as a tool for transformation. Not just information, and definitely not some party trick. Because knowing your type is cute, but embodying your highest expression. That is where your edge is. Every week, I'm bringing you the truth behind the types and the hype. How to stop self sabotaging, lead like a damn legend, and actually understand the people in your life without wanting to scream into a pillow. Or if you're an enneagram8 like me, not throat punch someone. We'll talk about leadership, relationships, business, healing, high performance, and why couples therapy isn't working. But fully understanding your Enneagram blueprint might just save your marriage. I'll drop solo episodes behind the curtain coaching and the Occasional rant when someone calls the Enneagram just a personality test. So if you're ready to stop playing small and start showing up with unshakable clarity, confidence, and compassion for yourself and others, this is your space. You've got an edge. Now let's use it. Welcome back to the Enneagram Edge. I'm your host, Tracy o', Malley. And if you know me, I don't do fluff. So today, we are going to pull back the curtain on procrastination. And this is the perfect time of year to talk about this. You know, we're in our summer flow, and, you know, even calling it, like, summertime, that is a form of procrastination, too. Like how it steals your time, your confidence, your dreams, and how, if you let it, procrastination will keep you playing small for another six months. Another year, another lifetime, it feels like. And I know you didn't come here for comfortable conversation. You came here for transformation. And that's exactly what we are going to do here. So let's kind of define what procrastination is, right? Let's get crystal clear. It isn't laziness. It's kind of our nervous system protecting you from what it perceives as dangerous, whether that be failure, whether it's rejection, vulnerability, being judged, a combination of all of it. But procrastination is funny because it can polish itself up so well, you might not even recognize it. Right? And it's like that, that justification and judgment and all the things that. It can be very sneaky with it. It might say things. I just. I'm gathering information or I'm going to learn this, or I'm going to go to that event, or I just need to listen to this podcast or I need to hire that person. I' when it's perfect. Right? I don't feel ready yet. Right. I know. Listen, I want you to know I have said a form of all those things to myself, and I'm going to share with you something that is kind of scaring me a little bit. But I think it's really important that you know, as somebody who teaches and is a guide for some of the most powerful people in the world, nobody is immune to this. And it can be sneaky and covert and all the things. Because underneath procrastination, it's a form of self abandonment, right? And self sabotage. And again, depending on what your enneagram type is and some of the experiences you face, this can look really, really different. But it becomes a beautifully decorated prison for your potential. And if you think procrastination is just a harmless habit, I want you to think again. I've got some stats for you. In 2022, Forbes reported procrastination costs US businesses over $10,000 per employee every single year in lost productivity, missed deadlines and mistakes. And some Forbes March 2022 a Harvard Business Review feature from July 21 or I'm sorry, July 2021 found procrastinators are 20% more likely to miss promotions or raises and experience higher stress and lower job satisfaction directly affecting long term career growth. That's a crazy one too, isn't it? And just Last year, in January 2023, the JAMA Network Open published a study of over 3,500 Swedish university students showing procrastination was linked to a 63% higher rate of depression and anxiety, plus increased sleep issues and disabling pain, proving procrastination isn't just a quirk, but a serious health risk as well. Now, this isn't just a cute thing minimize, because I know I do. Like, oh, I'm a procrastinator. Like, it's a thief robbing you and me of our potential, our peace, our prosperity and all the things that go with it. So I really want to bring this up because a, it's halfway through the year the goals have. The excitement of the goals we have set have worn off. Maybe there is this thing like, like me that you've said, this is the year I do it right. And before we dive into what procrastination might look like for each Enneagram type, I want to share kind of my own experience, my most recent experience. Because I don't teach what I don't live. I walk my talk. I really, really do. And you know, you've heard me talk about this. If you've been around for a little bit, that I have built my Enneagram certification that for almost, I would say at least seven, eight years people have been asking me for. I knew when I was learning about the Enneagram that this would be what I do one day. And of course, procrastinated minimized like actually how good I am at, at this. You know what I mean? And how masterful I can teach this. But the minute I had it in my body, it was like a big yes, right? How many of you have had that? Where you're like, oh, yes, like before you start comparing yourself to the outside world, before you know anybody else's opinions get in the way, before you start going down the rabbit holes right Me too. Like, it was a big yes to build an Enneagram certification because I know the way that I teach it is unique, it's transformative, it's powerful, it's needed, right? And all those things are still true, right? And I started with a fire and clarity. And as I moved from that initial like, hell yes to like, oh, I found myself stalling, right? Like, I don't want to put my name on people. I looked at other people's certifications and, man, they did it. And. And I judged them. Not because of my own insecurities, but it's like, you know, we are in a trust recession as well, and I don't trust easily. So for me to put my signature methodology and way that I teach the Enneagram, I want it to be very, very good. Like, beyond good. And because, like, we are in a time where trust has been broken by manipulative marketing, by fucking cons, for crying out. I have gotten in my head a lot about, like, who am I to do this? Like, am I. Am I just another one of those people? And it has really been a couple years now. I know I said out loud to somebody four years ago that I was going to five years ago. It was right around Covid that I was going to build this. And. And here we are, five years finally pulling the trigger, right? And on the outside, I know it looks like you may tell this story to yourself. I was like, on the outside, like, it looked like I was being responsible and thorough. That's a big thing. This is where understanding your Enneagram type can really help. But deep down, I knew I was procrastinating because my greatest fear as an enneagram 8 was absolutely activated. And that is a vulnerability. Like, I wasn't worried about it being imperfect. I mean, I'm imperfect, and I don't care about that so much. But I was afraid that putting it out there would leave me exposed, that people might question me and my. My master mastery in it challenge me, or even worse, like, betray my trust. You know, we hear people stealing all the time and so much. So, like, I'll tell you something that happened. I got my first email in 20 something years of business, right? In 13 of of my business in this space. And it was somebody asking for a refund for a blueprint. And it was a weird, shady situation like, like, and. And made these horrible comments. And, you know, it was one of those things. But I knew. I knew there have been a few things that have come up. Like just when I know I'm about to do something really powerful, right? Or I've declared that it's like God in the universe tests me, right? And I know that email was one of them, and it was like, no, no, no. Right? But that it was. It was triggering my. My biggest fear about being exposed and questioning me and challenged me and. And all the things. And I share this because I know how easy it is to stay stuck halfway, especially when fears or even the receipts convince you that hesitation is wisdom. But calling out what's really happening when. With compassion is the first step towards finishing what you started. Okay, so I want to get into what procrastination looks like for each Enneagram type. Because, like, what. What's behind the procrastination? This is the important part about the Enneagram. It's the why we do what we do, not what we do. And even me understanding the why behind my procrastination is helpful and can help move us through. So, because knowing your patterns and your blind spots around this will give you power. Again, a big emphasis on meeting yourself with compassion and not judgment, shame, criticism. We still do have to take action. But compassion and empathy and understanding and care and curiosity will create more sustainable change than criticism, judgment, and shame ever will. Okay, so the Enneagram one, the reformer, the strict perfectionist. Procrastination can look like perfecting details, avoiding mistakes, and how they can move through. Through it. Again, this is where understanding your framework will be really, really important. Because when I tell you how to move through it, like, that's easier said than done. So using the wings and understanding your growth number will be really key in that, because it's really easy for me to say how to move through it. This is why I'm so passionate about why and how I teach the Enneagram because I teach you the whole framework. All right, all right. So for the Enneagram one, you move through it, letting good enough be good enough or done is better than perfect. I know all the Enneagram ones rolled their eyes, but how we move through it, the wings, again, will be the superheroes of all of this. And if you don't, don't know, the wings are the numbers on either side of you. So as a one, you have a two and a nine. Okay, so again, there's a lot of teachings on the Enneagram that I'm not a fan of, especially around the wings. And in my certification, I go deep, deep into the. The superhero wings because they are the real superheroes to help pull us through all these patterns. Not Just procrastination, but anything el that keeps us stuck or. Or playing small or any of the other things. So you can go back and listen to episodes. I'll do more on the wings and all of that, but okay. How procrastination might look for an Enneagram to the considerate helper. Right? You guys do this a lot. You focus on everyone else's needs so you never have to face your own, right? You're in the middle of something and somebody says, hey, can you do this? And whatever you're doing is like, vulnerable, uncomfortable, feel selfish to be doing something for yourself. So you raise your hand. You're like, yes, let me do that. Right? And how an enneagram2 can move through this. Again, your wings will be key here to hold you accountable is prioritizing your own finish line because your dreams matter. Okay? For the Enneagram 3, the competitive achiever, what procrastinate. Procrastination might look like for you is avoiding tasks that could reveal imperfection slow you down or failure, right? You guys like to win, and you like to do the measurable things, and you like to finish fast and all the things, right? And so a lot of times you guys skip the details, right? So how a 3 can move through that is redefining success as courageous completion, no matter how fast or how slow you might finish this. And I know all the threes are like, seriously, if you're not first, you're last, right? And so you're going to have to recalibrate what success actually means to you. I know. I had to reformat what I thought my measuring stick was for being strong. So threes have to do this too. Again, the wings are key here, all right, for my Enneagram fours, the individualist or the intense creative, the romantic procrastination looks like waiting for inspiration or certainty of significance before starting. And I'm in a relationship with a 4, and I see that come through a lot. It's like, I need to be sure. I need to be sure. I need to be sure. Who am I to do this right? So for an enneagram 4 to bust through procrastination, and I. I say this one a lot, like, do it even when it feels ordinary or if it. If you're not sure. Like, the beauty of an enneagram 4 is their imagination. So you can make something like ordinary become extraordinary, but you have to take steps first. Again, wings are key here. For the Enneagram 5, the quiet specialist or the investigator. Procrastination looks like gathering Endless information before starting, right? They gather intel like it's nobody's business. I just need to know more. I just need to know more. I just need to know more, right? And how F5 moves through that is to commit to action before you feel fully knowledgeable, right? And they're like, oh, that's cute. This is also why understanding your framework, because if you know your growth number and kind of the target you're aiming for, this makes it a lot easier, right? So for the enneagram6, the loyal skeptic, procrastination looks like playing out every worst case scenario until they're completely paralyzed, right? All the what ifs. But what about this? But what about this? But what about this? But what about this, right? The Sixes, like mouth and brain, can feel like a hamster wheel. So how a 6 can move through procrastination is choose one small next step that you can control. One step, one bite, one movement, one moment at a time. I know. Easier said than done when we're in the middle of a spiral. For the Enneagram, Sevens, the enthusiastic visionary, right? They, their procrastination looks like abandoning projects for newer, more exciting ideas. The shiny object chasers, right? This, you know, yes, they are innovators. Yes, they are visionaries. And Sevens can also use that as a procrastination tool to avoid their biggest fear happening, right? Like choices, freedom, options will be taken from them, right? So how a 7 can move through procrastination is kind of anchoring yourself and celebrate each moment of completion. And you know, I've shared before, I'm raising an enneagram 7. And you know, for those of us that love or lead a seven, we can kind of judge them for this, right? Like, oh, they, they're not focused. They're not focused. And helping my own daughter move through this, it's really cool. Like, I mean, we do her taxes together every year. And of course for an enneagram 7, most of them would rather poke their eyes out than do that, herself included. And we made it fun and now, you know, we've doing it together for gosh, six, seven years now. And now she makes it a game and fun. And also she gets started a little earlier. She'll do a little bit at a time and she is so proud of herself for getting it done. And she's way more prepared than I am typically when it comes to this anymore. So it's really cool. That used to be something she used to procrastinate hardcore and then it would become more stressful. So, yeah. All right. For my fellow Enneagram Eights, the Challengers, or the active controllers, like I shared earlier, it looks like avoiding tasks that expose vulnerability or feel like losing control. And I will let you know, like, to take you into the story a little bit that I don't typically love, and Eights typically don't love accountability because it feels like we are being controlled, right? We don't have to control everything, but we don't want to be controlled. And I put some built in accountability and was very clear. I'm like, I know it looks like I'm good and I never need help. And that's true. I don't. I need you to pick up the phone and call me and hold me accountable and make sure I'm doing it. And I don't want to let you down. I don't want to let myself down. So how an 8 can move through procrastination is remembering that vulnerability is power and not weakness. And by me setting up some accountability, even though I hate it, I hate. I busted through a big portion of some of the assets that I'm making for you for the certification. And I felt really powerful and. And proud of myself and excited and I slept like a queen. So all of these things are really, really good. Like, like I said, like, with the stats around procrastination and what it robs from us, it is a thief. Like me just having that little bit of vulnerability and that accountability. I slept better. I got out and did a couple miles this morning already. It's bright and early. Like, it's really, really beautiful. All right. And the Enneagram 9, the adaptive peacemaker, what procrastination looks like. They are probably the masters of procrastination. So I want you to know, Enneagram Nines, I empathize so much with this for you because what it looks like for an enneagram 9 is drifting into distractions, losing urge, urgency, avoiding conflict. Right? Because the. The 9 is motivated by peace and harmony. When we're doing something that's challenging or disruptive or all the things, right. Avoiding conflict, they can kind of just move from one thing or another. Like a. An enneagram 9 could be in the middle of something, open up a drawer, and because whatever they're doing is uncomfortable or, you know, create is creating some conflict internally or even externally, it's like all. The next thing you know, they're organizing the drawer or they're organizing a closet, right? So how a 9 can move through procrastination is by reigniting Your vision, taking small consistent steps. You know, the nine's growth number is the enneagram three. And so like keeping your eye on that target and using your wings to pull yourself out. And I, I know how hard this can feel for all of us, what that might look like. And again, meeting yourself with that curiosity, that compassion, that kindness, and very clear, actionable, important steps to move through, it will help you gain the confidence, help you feeling like you're accomplishing the thing and, and stop beating yourself up. Now, if you found yourself resonating with more than one of those things, that's not a coincidence, right? Because your tri type kind of tells the whole story of how you get stuck, right? Your core enneagram type doesn't change. It's your home base, right? And this is something I teach hardcore again in my certification as well. Also, if you have gotten your blueprint, I now have offerings of doing 30 minute live readings where we go into the tri type because that doesn't come in the blueprint. This is a little extra sauce because it's not something I just want to like give you the information without you knowing what to do with it. So I talk about the tri type a lot and in my workshops, in my readings, in my couple sessions, all the things, right? Because our core enneagram type is our home base where our core fears and core motives reside. And depending on what your type is, that center of intelligence is your go to, right? If you're an 8, 9, 1, your instincts and gut. If you're 2, 3, 4, your heart and feelings. If you're a 5, 6, 7, your go to strategy first is thinking and your head, right? But we're human and we do use the other two centers and you know, how we do, how we feel and how we think come into everything we do. And so understanding your tri type can be really, really helpful. Not just through the wings and obviously your growth number, but you know, there's a lot of feelings, there's a lot of thinking, there's a lot of doing required in order to bust through procrastination, right? So understanding your tri type can help you get unstuck even faster. And for me, like understanding my tri type, I'm an eight, right? That's not going to change. My fears and motives reside there and I am a like, what do I need to do about this? Typically is my first go to, but I feel a lot of things about it and I think a lot of things about it. So understanding my 8 to 6 tri type really has allowed me to change everything. My 8, right. My home base resists the vulnerability and fears being blindsided or betrayed. My two worries a lot about meeting your needs in building my certification. Like, is it good enough? Will it be helpful enough? Maybe I need to give more and give more and give more. I. Yes, I can be an over giver, and my two can really affect that in a not so good way. Now, my two can also help be because I care so much, because I will be in the trench with you helping you understand this right? And I don't want to let you down. Okay? And finally, the six in me, what I think about all of this and how I operate in my thinking now. I love my six in my tri type. I'm obsessed with it. It's why no one can pull one over on me. It's why I'm one of the greatest business and personal strategists you can hire. Honestly, between my eight, my six, like, seriously, we're bulletproo wear like a PI with eyelashes. Like, seriously, everything about me, like, I can poke holes in everything. And I love that about myself. And also the six in my tri type has been the very thing that has tripped me up. I overthink. I'm over. Need to be over prepared. The what ifs, the what ifs, the what ifs. It questions myself whether I'm prepared enough to anticipate every possible challenge that, you know, people aren't gonna think, like, I don't know what I'm talking about. Like, seriously, like, it has done a number on me, right? So understanding your tri type and the. The real great things in your wholeness, right? And how you do think and feel and the things that can trip you up and meeting yourself with compassion. So those three patterns work together to keep me hesitating, right? And protecting myself in ways that felt wise and admirable and. And actually kept me stuck. So seeing my tri type clearly gives me compassion for myself, clarity about what is really holding me back, and the courage to move forward even when it feels scary. And that's why tri type awareness is next level enneagram work. It's where you learn not just what you do, but why you do it, how you feel about it, what you think about it, and what you need to do to break free. And again, like, this is a big part of the certification that I will be sharing in level 1, level 2, level 3, the tri type learning will go through the full scope of the levels of my certification because it's that important. So, again, if this is something that you want to do. You can get your blueprint and there's an add on 30 minute live reading that you get to record. You can listen to it over and over and over again. And I know many of you because I've been doing the blueprints for many years. If you have gotten a blueprint and you do want to get a live reading, you can do that after the fact. The information will be in my show notes to do that separately or together as a bundle. And also if you are interested in Enneagram certification and this could be even if you just want to use it for your own family, your own partnership, your own business, your own marriage, you don't want to be an Enneagram coach, that's totally fine. Like, I'm not just an Enneagram coach, right? I am. I have a wide range. It's just mastering this tool so you can use it like a surgeon, right? Like, like very, very beautiful. My certification, the first cohort will start on September 3rd. It will go four weeks, one one day for four weeks. And very hands on live teaching. You can go to my website, Tracy O' Malley.com There is a special for those that do it now again that will be in the show notes as well. Okay, so you're halfway through the year. Are you ready to stop letting procrastination keep you halfway there? Like I said, if you haven't gotten your blueprint, that's your sign yourself deeper. Go to the link in the show notes for all the information or visit Tracy Oally.com to do any of those things. Now let's make the second half of the year the season. You cross the finish line and you do it with your power and your confidence and feel really good about it. And know that like as you move through other things that scare the out of you, you'll be armed with the tool, the compassion, the understanding and the know how to pull through. Right? Because when we start to procrastinate, it's an indicator that we are on to something magical, right? So we, we don't want to beat ourselves up and stay stuck in that. But understand that, all right? The next level is coming and you know, with great reward comes great responsibility. So I hope this episode really, you use it as a tool and a guide to meet yourself with love, compassion, empathy, grace, so that you can do the calling that's on your life so that you can honor the relationships that you're in and especially the one with yourself. Because you have an edge now. Let's use it. All right? We'll see you next time. And that's a wrap. On today's Dive into the Edge. If this episode hit you in the gut or lit a fire under your ass good, that means it's working. Here's the deal. Transformation is not a checkbox. It's a damn decision. And the Enneagram? It's your ultimate power tool when you actually know how to use it. If you loved today's episode, share it with somebody who's ready to stop playing small. Subscribe, leave a review, and if you're really feeling brave, shoot me a message and tell me what cracked open for you. Remember, your edge isn't something to be polished down. It's part of you that was always meant to lead. Until next time, stay sharp, stay true, and keep walking. Your edge.