Stop Waiting. Start Moving: The Truth About Procrastination

#LeadandLift | Episode 136 | Chabidaye Jaglal Ramnath

Have you ever decided to do something—and then… didn’t?

Maybe it was launching your podcast, starting that fitness plan, or finally putting your business idea into motion. You made the decision, felt the excitement for a moment, and then—nothing happened.

Days passed. Weeks turned into months. And now here you are, wondering why you still haven’t started.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The truth is, you didn’t fail. You just met procrastination—one of the sneakiest thieves of progress.

What Is Procrastination (Really)?

The word procrastination comes from the Latin procrastinare, meaning “to put off until tomorrow.”
But as we all know—tomorrow never really comes.

According to Dr. Piers Steel, author of The Procrastination Equation, procrastination isn’t about laziness—it’s about emotion regulation. It’s what happens when a task stirs up discomfort, uncertainty, or fear, and our brain chooses avoidance to protect us.

Clarry Lay, another researcher, defines procrastination as “a significant time lag between when you decide to do something and when you actually do it.”
In other words, it’s the gap between intention and action.

What Procrastination Is Really Costing You

You’ve probably heard this story before—five birds sit perched on a wire. Three decide to fly away. So how many are left?
Still five. Because deciding and doing are not the same thing.

Now pause for a moment.
How many times this year have you “decided” to start something—your podcast, your program, your fitness plan, your next bold move—and never took flight?

This isn’t a story about birds. It’s a mirror.
A mirror reflecting all the moments we’ve meant to act, planned to start, intended to change—but didn’t.
And as the year begins its final sprint, that mirror can feel heavy.

But what if this time, instead of deciding, you jumped?

The Truth About Procrastination

We delay the task not because we can’t do it, but because it triggers something uncomfortable—fear of failure, fear of judgment, or even fear of success.

💡 Truth: Procrastination is emotional avoidance, not a lack of discipline.

Next time you catch yourself procrastinating, ask:
“What emotion am I trying not to feel by avoiding this task?”
Once you name it—you take back your power.

The A.C.T. Framework to Break Through Procrastination

To help you move forward, I created the A.C.T. Framework—a simple 3-step process to help you get unstuck and start building momentum again.

A – Awareness: Recognize What’s Really Going On

Awareness is the first step toward change. Ask yourself:

• What am I avoiding?
• Why am I avoiding it?
• What story am I telling myself about this task?

Every time you say “I’ll do it later,” it’s like hitting the snooze button on your purpose. Comfort now, regret later.
Procrastination is borrowed comfort with compounded cost—financial, emotional, and mental.

Your brain remembers every unkept promise, and each delay chips away at your confidence.

This morning, I drove my son to school in thick fog. I couldn’t see the houses, much less the road ahead—but I started driving anyway. With each small move, more of the road became visible.

That’s exactly how clarity works.
You don’t need full visibility to move forward.
Clarity comes from action—not before it. 

C – Choice: Decide What Matters Now

We all have 24 hours in a day. The question is: What will you fill it with? 

As leaders and entrepreneurs, we often stay “busy” to avoid the things that matter most. We check emails, tidy up, or help others—but deep down, we know we’re avoiding that one big move that could change everything.

Procrastination often disguises itself as productivity.
But decision creates momentum, and momentum builds progress.

You can’t do everything—but you can do the one thing that matters right now.

T – Tiny Actions: Move Even If It’s Small

The secret to overcoming procrastination isn’t a massive to-do list—it’s movement.

Big plans can lead to overwhelm. Tiny actions create energy.
Send the email.
Make the call.
Write the first sentence.

Every small move fuels your confidence and builds momentum.

To get unstuck, you just need to A.C.T. — Awareness, Choice, and Tiny Action

Finish the Year Strong

Here’s your reality check:
It’s already the last quarter of the year—less than 100 days remain.

This is the season where leaders, entrepreneurs, and high performers either finish strong or fade out. You can’t get back the days you’ve lost, but you can still make the rest of this year count. 

Imagine how it will feel when you finally do the thing you said you would.
That version of you—the one who acts, decides, and leads—is still within reach.

But she doesn’t wait.
She moves. 

This Week’s Challenge & Next Steps

Pick one thing you’ve been putting off all year—just one.
Start the business. Write the book. Launch the product. Ask for the promotion.

Then take one tiny, imperfect action toward it today.
And tell yourself:

“I don’t procrastinate anymore. I move in the direction of my dreams.”

Celebrate that small step. That’s how you rebuild trust with yourself and reignite momentum.

You don’t need more time—you need more truth.
Procrastination isn’t your enemy; it’s a message. It’s showing you where your next breakthrough is waiting.

Remember, leaders don’t wait for perfect moments—they create them.
So, take that next step. Make that decision. Do one small A.C.T. today.

Because the moment you rise—even imperfectly—you reclaim your power to lead and lift again. 

Free Resources:  Visit LeadandLift.com for resources

Links mentioned in this episode: 

• Chabidaye Facebook
• Chabidaye Instagram
• Chabidaye LinkedIn
• Chabidaye Website