S2.23: Procrastination: A Quick Dive into Its Dual Role as both Protector and Provocateur Artwork

Refreshing Leadership

Welcome to Refreshing Leadership, the podcast that explores the intersection of neuroscience, leadership, and purpose. Dive into the world of trauma-informed leadership coaching and harness its wisdom to navigate uncertainty with confidence.

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Refreshing Leadership

S2.23: Procrastination: A Quick Dive into Its Dual Role as both Protector and Provocateur

February 23, 2024 • Kate Brassington • Season 2 • Episode 23

In this episode of Refreshing Leadership, we're diving deep into the intriguing world of procrastination. My aim is to bring deeper thought and perspective to the roles of procrastination. It often gets a kicking with people trying to force it away instead of noticing how to understand and harness it for positive effect!

I'll be exploring the question of whether procrastination acts as a protector or provocateur in our lives (or both!). We'll peel back the layers to understand the roles of the brain, consider trauma-informed principles, and examine the influence of neurodivergence on this complex phenomenon.

Protector: I take you through the Nervous System’s natural “setting” that causes us to pause and assess before taking action. We'll take a closer look at how perfectionism and executive function come into play, and I'll share practical strategies to work effectively with this protective aspect. We’ll see the importance of self-compassion and the value of breaking tasks into manageable steps.

Provocateur: I'll uncover the thrilling edge that procrastination can bring to our best work and energy, particularly for individuals with neurodivergent traits. We'll explore the impact of pressure and the pursuit of dopamine hits, and I'll encourage you to embrace your individual strengths while seeking healthy ways to fulfill your needs.

This episode offers a thought-provoking and informative journey into the complexities of procrastination, providing actionable strategies for you to navigate and harness these dual roles.

Some time stamps:

00:00 What inspired this episode
04:45 Understanding procrastination
07:57 Perfectionism and its impact on mental health.
10:02 Listen to protector, break tasks into steps.
15:40 Thriving under pressure in fast-paced societies.
19:25 Focus on meeting deadlines with acceptable quality.
21:18 Break tasks into small manageable steps. Prioritize self-compassion.
24:40 Don’t forget you can work with me to improve mental health.

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