We put off doing things until the last minute for many different reasons. You might get frustrated with yourself for procrastinating, but ultimately there’s a payoff for doing so. You wouldn’t do it otherwise.
In the case of Imposter Syndrome – the secret feeling of being a fraud and the fear of being found out – there is a specific reason for procrastination. If you can see that reason in yourself, then it can be a clue that you are experiencing this issue.
Although it’s commonly called a syndrome, it’s not a psychological disorder, but a pattern of behaviour with a specific underlying cause. People keep their feelings of being a fraud to themselves, which means it doesn’t get talked about much. Even though 70% of highly successful people go through this at some point in their lives.
Whether you are a coach working with successful clients or you’re confused about a recent increase in self-doubt or anxiety yourself, being able to identify Imposter Syndrome is a big help. When you understand an issue, then you can start to address it.
It can be particularly frustrating for high-achievers to find themselves leaving things til the last minute. They’re capable, competent people who are used to working hard and getting results. All sorts of judgments can come up; I’m being lazy, weak, irresponsible or inefficient. You could sum all these judgments up with a meaning that you’re bad and don’t deserve success, or you’re worried that you’re going to lose and not be the best.
So why do Imposter sufferers procrastinate? What’s their payoff?
Digging deeper into the phenomenon, the assumption is that any mistakes or perceived failure mean you are bad or worthless. It goes straight to the heart of a belief held unconsciously by many people; that our worth depends on what we do.
Imagine you have three weeks to put together an important presentation at work. If you spent those three weeks creating your very best version and then in the meeting it was criticised, then you might feel like a complete failure. That your best was not good enough. If you strive to be successful and competent, this could be distressing and leave you questioning yourself, your ability and even your identity. If you already suspect that you really aren’t good enough, this ‘confirmation’ would be devastating. This is the awful scenario that Imposter Syndrome sufferers want to avoid, albeit unconsciously, and that procrastination can help to escape.
What if you procrastinate and don’t even start until the day before?
Then you have a frantic day, and quite possibly a night too, getting the presentation ready. It’s true there is a little rush of adrenaline working in this way, which is a separate payoff in procrastination. However for Imposter sufferers, it’s not the main reason.
On the day of the presentation, you arrive exhausted, wired and anxious about how it will be received. If the presentation is criticised in any way, then it will be disappointing. However inside you will know that this was not your best work and that if you had spent more time, you could have done better. It insulates you emotionally from that devastating feeling that your best is not good enough.
It’s rare that anyone actively thinks this way or plans procrastination for this payoff, for most people this reason is beneath their awareness.
However people with Imposter Syndrome are highly competent and capable, and produce great work even when it’s not their best. The more likely scenario is that the presentation will go well and you will receive compliments for it. If you feel like you’re a fraud and not good enough, then you won’t accept those compliments as evidence that your thinking is wrong and that you are good enough.
You’ll think you’ve managed to fool everyone, and you’ll feel relieved that you didn’t get found out – this time. The anxiety of feeling like a fraud does not go away, and you’ll worry that you won’t be so lucky next time. Next time you’ll be found out.
If this sounds like your version of procrastination, or you see this in your coaching clients or mentees, then it’s a clue that you’re dealing with Imposter Syndrome. While it’s uncomfortable, at least you can understand that the procrastination does not point to weakness or laziness, which can relieve the pressure of self-recrimination.
When you know why you do this, then you can start to address the real issue, and when you do, then the procrastination will simply disappear.
