The value in procrastination

Procrastination gets a bad rap. It’s often labelled as laziness, lack of discipline, or avoidance. But what if there’s more to it? What if procrastination isn’t just resistance, but information?

We’ve all done it—stared at a task, knowing it needs to be done, but finding every possible reason to delay. Maybe it’s reviewing your finances, having that long-overdue conversation, or finally tackling an investment decision. Instead of moving forward, we sit in limbo, caught between intention and action.

Sharon Moller, a behavioural finance specialist and professional coach, sees procrastination not as a flaw but as a sign—one that offers us a deeper understanding of ourselves. And when we stop seeing it as a failure and start treating it as feedback, we can uncover what’s really holding us back.

Instead of pushing through procrastination with sheer willpower, it helps to ask: “Why am I hesitating?” Often, avoidance isn’t about the task itself, it’s about what the task represents.

Take financial planning, for example. Many people put off reviewing their savings, updating their estate plans, or even booking an appointment with a financial planner. But is it really about the numbers? Or is it the fear of confronting difficult truths; uncertainty about the future, regret over past decisions, or anxiety about getting it ‘wrong’?

Avoidance is rarely random. If we listen closely, it often reveals our underlying concerns.

Our current culture glorifies productivity, the common advice for procrastination is simple: just do it (thank you, Nike!). But if starting was that easy, we wouldn’t be stuck in the first place. The reality is, forcing action before we’re ready can actually create more resistance.

Think about financial decisions: investments made out of panic, budgeting done out of guilt, or major career shifts taken without clarity. These rushed actions often lead to regret, rather than progress. Instead of forcing movement, we need to create readiness.

Here’s a paradox: sometimes, the only way to move forward is to stop pushing and start allowing. In finance and in life, readiness doesn’t come from pressure, it comes from surrender.

Letting go doesn’t mean giving up. It means surrendering to the process, trusting that action will come naturally when we’re aligned with what we truly need. When we let go of the guilt and judgment around our procrastination, we give ourselves the space to move forward in a way that actually sticks.

Procrastination and our Financial Planning
This concept is just as true in financial planning as it is in personal growth. The best financial plans aren’t built under duress. They’re built from a place of thoughtful, informed decision-making. The most successful investors aren’t the ones who react impulsively but the ones who prepare steadily over time.

So, the next time you catch yourself hesitating, pause. Instead of fighting the procrastination, listen to it.

Is it fear? Is it uncertainty? Is it a lack of clarity?

Your hesitation might just be telling you what you need in order to move forward. The question is: will you be ready to hear it?