Hello changemakers 👋

Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, I want to send my warmest wishes for a year filled with growth, success, and meaningful moments. On a personal note, I’ve just embarked on an exciting new chapter myself as I moved to China during the end of last year!

As you can imagine for the moment it’s been quite hectic, with a lot of adapting to a new culture and way of living, but I’m embracing the change and all the opportunities it brings. Now, let’s dive into this week’s topic.

I was listening to a podcast on self-improvement recently and came across an interesting concept around procrastination and how to deal with it that did sound very powerful to me. In general procrastination is a universal experience, but what sets us apart is how we respond to it. And it seems most people tend to fall into one of three categories when faced with procrastination: the Shamers, the Blamers, and the Claimers.

Curious to see which one you are?

The Shamers

Shamers turn inward, beating themselves up for not being productive. Their inner dialogue sounds something like this:
"Why can’t I just get started?”
“I’m so lazy. I’ll never be successful if I keep this up."
“What is wrong with me? Why I can’t never do the things I said I’d do?”

While it might seem like self-criticism would push you into action, it often does the opposite. Shame paralyzes you, trapping you in a cycle of guilt and inaction which doesn’t help you at all in achieving your goals, and just makes you feel bad about yourself for no reason.

The Blamers

Blamers, on the other hand, look outward. They find external reasons for their procrastination:
"This task is so boring.”
“My boss didn’t give me clear instructions.”
“The environment in the office isn’t right to focus on work."

Blaming can feel momentarily satisfying and it takes the pressure off you. But it also take away from you the power to change your situation.

The Claimers

Claimers take a different approach. They acknowledge procrastination without judgment or excuses:
"Yep, I’ve been putting this off. Why? Because it feels overwhelming right now. Let’s break it down into smaller steps."

Claimers don’t waste energy on shame or blame. Instead, they focus on solutions, recognizing procrastination as a signal. They understand that procrastination often stems from deeper issues like fear of failure, perfectionism or feeling overwhelmed. And instead of ignoring these feelings, they confront them head-on.

For example, a Claimer might say, "I’m avoiding this because I’m not sure how to start. What’s one small thing I can do right now to gain clarity?" They’ll take proactive steps to simplify the task, seek guidance, or adjust their environment to make starting easier.

Claimers also practice self-compassion. They know that procrastination doesn’t define their worth or abilities. By approaching themselves with kindness, they create a mental space where progress feels possible and manageable.

Now you might wonder, how can I become myself a claimer? If you’ve been stuck in the Shamer or Blamer mindset, here’s how to shift:

1. Acknowledge Without Judgment
   The next time you catch yourself procrastinating, pause. Instead of spiraling into self-criticism or external blame, simply say:
   "I’m procrastinating. That’s okay. What’s really going on here?"

2. Identify the Root Cause
   Is the task too big? Are you unclear about where to start? Are you afraid of failing? Getting to the root of your hesitation will help you address it effectively.

3. Take the Smallest Possible Step
   Break the task into bite-sized pieces and commit to just one. Often, starting is the hardest part. Once you’ve taken that first step, momentum will carry you forward.

4. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
   Claimers know that progress beats perfection every time. Did you spend 10 minutes on the task instead of the full hour? Great! That’s 10 minutes closer to your goal.

Procrastination is something we all deal with, but how we respond to it makes all the difference. By shifting from a Shamer or Blamer mindset to that of a Claimer, you can take back control and make meaningful progress.

So, the next time procrastination strikes, ask yourself: Am I shaming, blaming, or claiming?

Let’s claim this year together! 🚀

Cheers,
Ignasi

Question of the week 🤔

"What’s the underlying fear or emotion driving your procrastination on a specific task? How could you address it compassionately?"

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