The 5 Hidden Reasons You’re Procrastinating

(And It’s Not What You Think)

“Let’s go watch Netflix.”

That’s how coach and entrepreneur Emma O’Brien jokingly summed up the inner voice that keeps us stuck. And if I am being honest – I’ve heard that voice more times than I care to admit.

We often think procrastination is laziness or poor time management. But from working with hundreds of professionals struggling to speak up, lead with courage, or grow their influence,  I can tell you: it’s rarely that simple.

Procrastination hides in plain sight. It’s smarter and sneakier than we think. And if you’re trying to lead, communicate with courage, or start something bold (like a new business or initiative), understanding what’s really going on under the surface is what leads to a sustainable change.

In my Risk & Rise conversation with Emma, we unpacked the real reasons we procrastinate , especially when it comes to doing meaningful, high-stakes work. She’s been there too. And her stories? Insightful, relatable, and real.

Here are the five hidden reasons you’re likely procrastinating, and what to do about them:

1. Fear of Uncertainty

“If I start this business… how might my life change?”
– Emma O’Brien

We often fear what we can’t predict, even if it’s something good. Success itself can feel terrifying.

What will people expect from me if I do well?
What if I earn more than my friends?
What if everything changes?

Emma explains this beautifully. She says our subconscious often prefers the discomfort of the known (hello comfort zone!) over the unknown of trying something new.

It’s why you might say you want to launch that podcast or start public speaking, but somehow keep reorganising your desk instead.

>>Try this:
Name what you’re afraid might happen if things go well. Write it out. Then ask yourself: is this fear really worth putting your dreams on hold?

2. Fear of Failure (and Judgment)

Emma once lost half of a couple’s wedding photos. Yip!  Half a wedding gone, forever, after her hard drive fell and crashed.

“Aside from asking my first husband for a divorce, it was probably the most awkward and horrendous conversation I’ve ever had.”

Did she want to hide? Absolutely. But instead, she picked up the phone and told the couple the truth. That moment shaped her approach to both business and communication: face things head-on.

When we procrastinate, it’s often because we fear the fallout: criticism, disappointment, not being seen as “good enough.” Especially in leadership, putting yourself out there is risky. So we wait. We tweak. We perfect. We hold back.

>> Try this:
Ask: What’s the worst thing that could happen if I fail? And what would I do if that happened? Often, you’ll see you’re more resilient than you give yourself credit for.

3. You Don’t Know How to Do It

Here’s a quieter kind of procrastination. You’re avoiding the task, not because you’re scared of success or failure, but because it feels overwhelming. Maybe it’s tech. Maybe it’s the systems. Maybe you just don’t know where to begin.

Emma shared how she used to delay backend tasks because, in her words, “I’m not terribly technical.” Instead of staying stuck, she hired a virtual assistant to handle the tech side, and freed herself to focus on what she does do well.

>> Try this:
Outsource, delegate, or invest in learning. Don’t let “I don’t know how” become “I’ll never try.”

4. You Actually Don’t Want to Do It

Sometimes we procrastinate because, deep down, we really don’t want to do the thing. We think we should, so we keep it on the to-do list, letting it drain our energy and motivation.

Emma was clear about this: if you keep avoiding a task because you hate doing it, then stop pretending. Either ditch it, delegate it, or replace it with something aligned.

>> Try this:
Be honest. Ask: Is this something I actually want to do, or just something I feel I “should” do? If it’s the latter, it’s time for a courageous conversation with yourself.

5. You Haven’t Made Peace with Fear

Fear is always in the car. The trick is not to let it drive.

Emma puts it perfectly:

“If you want to be an entrepreneur, you have to make peace with the fact that fear will always be riding in the car with you. You might get to the point where you can pop it in the boot, but it will always be there.”

Whether you’re presenting to your board, launching a new program, or speaking up in a high-stakes meeting, the fear doesn’t disappear. But when you learn to act with fear instead of waiting for it to vanish? That’s where real leadership lives.

>> Try this:
Stop waiting to feel brave. Start acting like someone who’s becoming brave. Then do the one small thing, today, that moves you closer to your goal.

Final Thought: Make a List of Your Wins

Emma left us with a powerful exercise:

“Make a list of your ten best successes. Ten times you overcame something scary and did it anyway. Look at how you did it. What inner resource did you use? What support did you have?”

That list becomes your evidence. Your courage portfolio. And when procrastination shows up again (because it will), you’ll have something solid to stand on.

You’ve been brave before. You can be brave again.

Now, what’s one tiny step you can take today to move forward?

Want more tools like this for communicating and leading with courage?
Explore our free resources or book a 90-minute Readiness Session here.  Let’s help you stop procrastinating, get unstuck, and speaking up with confidence.