Procrastination: A Barrier to Growth?

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Is procrastination holding you and your team back?

I walked into a local Target store on a Sunday night in late August. The atmosphere buzzed with the energy you’d expect during the holiday season, yet it wasn’t December. It was the night before back to school.

I watched as a dad attempted to juggle an impossible stack of school supplies in his arms, a look of bewilderment on his face. In another corner of the same department, a young girl dragged her mom along by the hand, darting from shelf to shelf to get the things on her list.

And then, there were the check-out lines that looked like an eight-lane highway during rush hour. They stretched and weaved into the store as far as the eye could see.

Did they not see this day coming?

Surely, these people knew this day was coming – for the better part of two months now. And yet, there was a feeling of panic in the air as they raced to pick up supplies from nearly bare shelves for the first day of the school season.

Were these families asleep at the wheel? Not at all. They were practicing the time-honored tradition of procrastination. Life got in the way of planning.

It’s a pervasive challenge that doesn't just undermine the efforts of families, but individuals, teams, and organizations.

The cost of inaction

It's easy to find justifications for procrastination, but with decisions postponed until tomorrow, the issues only mount. When we avoid tackling challenges or initiating change, growth stalls and opportunities disappear.

Think of the dad in Target, overwhelmed and underprepared. That moment of panic mirrors what happens when organizations put off decisions critical to their success.

From stuck to started

The antidote to procrastination is action – but not necessarily big, bold moves. Progress often starts with a small step. Even a horizontal move – a single, manageable action – can create momentum. The key is to begin.

What’s on your procrastination list? Maybe it’s a strategy you’ve hesitated to implement, a conversation you’ve avoided, or a significant change initiative. Whatever it is, ask yourself: what’s one small step I can take with my team today?

Building a culture that acts

For organizations, creating a culture that resists procrastination requires intention. It starts with empowering teams to act – to experiment, learn, and adapt.

Leaders play a central role in creating an environment where progress is celebrated, and inertia is challenged. It’s not about perfection; it’s about creating forward movement.

At The Involvement Practice, we specialize in helping organizations overcome barriers to change that impact growth. Whether you’re tackling a massive transformation or looking for ways to reignite momentum across your team, we’re here to help you find your starting point and activate meaningful change.

Don't procrastinate. Book a Consultation Today

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Learn more about overcoming procrastination from Princeton Univeristy.