How Tuning Into Our Nonconscious Can Help Overcome Procrastination

As a leader of Openmind, the implicit psychometric assessment tool, I’ve learned one crucial thing: the subconscious mind holds incredible power over our actions—or inactions. Procrastination, something we’re all familiar with, is often much deeper than just “laziness” or lack of willpower. Most of us have wrestled with it, whether it’s delaying that overdue project or putting off a crucial life decision. Procrastination is insidious; it feels like we're making a conscious choice, but in reality, our nonconscious mind is often in the driver’s seat, steering us into delay and avoidance.

Let’s dive into how understanding our nonconscious can reveal hidden motivations, implicit attitudes, and ultimately, help us break through procrastination. This isn’t just about knowing why we procrastinate but rather how we can leverage deeper self-awareness to overcome it for good.

1. Understanding the Nonconscious: The Foundation

In the field of psychology, the mind is often seen as divided into the conscious and nonconscious (or subconscious). The conscious part is what we’re aware of—our thoughts, intentions, and deliberate actions. The nonconscious, however, is a reservoir of memories, experiences, and biases that shape our automatic responses and underlying attitudes. The Openmind psychometric tool at Truthsayers, for example, looks at both conscious (explicit) attitudes and nonconscious (implicit) attitudes, revealing discrepancies that can sometimes surprise us.

For instance, you might consciously believe you’re organized and ready to tackle big projects. However, your implicit attitudes, formed from past experiences and automatic associations, might paint a different picture. This discrepancy is often where procrastination lives. Our nonconscious beliefs about our abilities, fears of failure, and even childhood experiences might lead us to delay actions without fully understanding why.

2. The Hidden Reasons Behind Procrastination

Procrastination often originates from underlying nonconscious factors. Here are a few common reasons:

a) Fear of Failure

One of the most common reasons people procrastinate is due to a nonconscious fear of failure. Consciously, we might tell ourselves we’re confident and capable, but deep down, old wounds from past failures, criticism, or even childhood experiences of being reprimanded might still linger. This creates an implicit association between big tasks and potential failure, leading to a cycle of avoidance.

b) Perfectionism and Fear of Imperfection

Many of us are unconsciously perfectionists. This isn’t just about wanting things to be flawless; it’s about a nonconscious belief that anything less than perfect isn’t worth attempting. Openmind reveals that many individuals have high explicit expectations for themselves but a deeper implicit fear of being judged or criticized if their work doesn’t meet impossibly high standards.

c) Fear of Success

It sounds counterintuitive, but some people procrastinate due to a nonconscious fear of success. Success brings visibility, responsibility, and sometimes, new challenges or expectations. If we’ve had negative experiences related to visibility or high expectations in the past, our nonconscious mind might associate success with discomfort or pressure, causing us to delay tasks that might lead to those outcomes.

3. Identifying Nonconscious Biases with Openmind

Here’s where tools like Openmind come into play. By assessing both explicit and implicit attitudes, we can start to recognize areas of our lives where there are discrepancies between what we say we believe and what we really feel.

For example, if you believe explicitly that you are open to new ideas and challenges, but your implicit score indicates hesitation, it might mean that your nonconscious mind is holding onto a fear of the unknown. Recognizing these biases can be transformative because it gives us a clearer picture of what’s truly holding us back.

4. Bringing Nonconscious Biases to the Surface

Once we recognize our nonconscious biases, how do we bring them to the surface and address them? Here are some strategies:

a) Self-Reflection

One of the most effective ways to address nonconscious biases is through intentional self-reflection to improve our self-awareness. When you notice you’re procrastinating, take a step back and ask yourself, “What’s really holding me back here?” Journaling about these thoughts can help bring to light any hidden fears or limiting beliefs.

b) Question Your Assumptions

Ask yourself if the beliefs you hold about your task are based on reality or just assumptions. Are you procrastinating because you genuinely don’t have enough time, or are you fearful that your work won’t be good enough? By questioning these assumptions, we can often expose biases that aren’t serving us.

c) Challenge Perfectionism

Perfectionism often thrives in the nonconscious mind, where we might hold ourselves to impossible standards. Remind yourself that “done” is better than “perfect.” Taking small steps forward, even if imperfect, builds momentum and reduces procrastination. Letting go of the all-or-nothing mindset can be liberating.

5. Building New Nonconscious Associations

Changing nonconscious attitudes isn’t easy, but it’s possible with consistent practice and the right approach. One way to do this is through exposure and gradual reconditioning:

a) Break Tasks into Smaller Steps

Instead of looking at a task as a daunting whole, break it down into small, manageable parts. This helps to lessen the pressure of perfection and allows you to build positive associations with incremental progress. With each completed step, you’re reinforcing to your nonconscious mind that progress is achievable and rewarding.

b) Practice Positive Visualization

Visualizing success isn’t just about picturing the end result—it’s about imagining yourself enjoying the process, overcoming obstacles, and feeling proud of your progress. Visualization can help to rewire nonconscious attitudes by associating positive feelings with tasks you might otherwise avoid.

c) Use Self-Compassion to Counteract Self-Criticism

If self-criticism is a major nonconscious driver behind your procrastination, practicing self-compassion can be a powerful antidote. Rather than berating yourself for falling behind, remind yourself that setbacks are part of the process. This shift in mindset can help you develop a more forgiving and constructive nonconscious attitude toward your work.

6. Understanding the Role of Self-Efficacy

One nonconscious factor that greatly influences procrastination is self-efficacy—the belief in our own ability to accomplish tasks. If, on a nonconscious level, we doubt our abilities, we’re more likely to procrastinate.

Openmind assessments have shown that individuals with low implicit self-efficacy scores often struggle with procrastination. By recognizing and working on these beliefs, we can gradually build confidence and reduce delay. Setting small, achievable goals and celebrating each success can reinforce positive beliefs about our capabilities.

7. Reprogramming Nonconscious Patterns Through Routine

Building a routine can help reprogram nonconscious attitudes by creating consistent, positive associations with action. If you’re accustomed to delaying tasks, try setting a specific time each day for focused work on a single project. This routine helps your nonconscious mind associate that time with productive action, gradually reducing procrastination.

8. Learning from Failures without Dwelling on Them

Failure, or even the possibility of it, is one of the main reasons for procrastination. However, learning from our mistakes without ruminating on them can reshape our nonconscious beliefs about failure. After a setback, focus on what you learned and how it can help you in the future. This constructive mindset trains your nonconscious mind to view challenges as growth opportunities rather than reasons to avoid action.

9. Practicing Mindfulness to Connect with the Nonconscious

Mindfulness is a powerful tool for connecting with and understanding our nonconscious attitudes. When we’re mindful, we become aware of our thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without judgment. This awareness can help us notice nonconscious patterns driving our procrastination, giving us a chance to address them before they lead to inaction.

10. Conclusion: Using Our Nonconscious to Drive Action

Procrastination is rarely a simple issue of time management or willpower. It’s deeply connected to our nonconscious attitudes, which are shaped by our experiences, beliefs, and implicit fears. By using tools like Openmind to uncover these hidden drivers, we gain a powerful ally in overcoming procrastination.

Overcoming procrastination is a journey that requires patience, self-compassion, and consistent effort. By understanding our nonconscious mind and working to reprogram negative beliefs, we can cultivate a mindset that favors action over delay. With each step, we’re not only getting things done—we’re also building a stronger, more self-aware foundation for future success.