My favorite snippet from Carly in this interview… “ All the things that, really, truly inspire you get prioritized and procrastination is actually there to help you stay on priority. Which is hysterical because we judge it and we think that we’re not supposed to be doing it, but it’s taking you off and taking you away from low priority items.“
Most entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders have, at some point, felt stuck. Maybe it’s a slowdown in business, an overwhelming to-do list, or just a nagging sense of frustration. Often, we think we’re procrastinating—but what if procrastination isn’t the problem? What if it’s actually a sign pointing us in the right direction?
I sat down with Human Behavior Specialist, Carly Pepin, to talk about procrastination, unrealistic expectations, and why we should stop beating ourselves up for what we’re not doing. Instead, she suggests, we should use procrastination as a tool to better understand what actually drives us.
Time Stamps
01:28 Understanding Procrastination
04:13 Reframing Tasks for Fulfillment
06:51 Content Creation Strategies
10:35 Balancing Priorities and Expectations
15:05 Linking Tasks to Personal Values
19:54 Reflecting on Life Purpose
20:37 Finding Meaning in Daily Actions
20:45 Procrastination and Purpose
20:58 Redefining Success and Purpose
21:23 Personal Stories of Purpose
23:34 Monetizing Your Passions
25:44 Understanding Shame and Pride
32:42 Balancing Pride and Humility
Where to Find Carly
Listen On Apple Podcasts
Listen on Spotify
Watch the Podcast or Read the Post Below
Everyone is a procrastinator.
But instead of seeing it as a flaw, she reframes it as an insight into what we truly value.
“We prioritize the things that are most important to us,” she explained. “The tasks we procrastinate on? They’re usually things we feel we should do rather than things we actually want to do.”
Think about it… You don’t procrastinate on things that genuinely excite you.
The things you push off until the last minute?
Those are often the tasks that feel like obligations—things you think you should be doing because someone else said they’re important.
If you find yourself constantly avoiding a task, Carly suggests asking:
- Can I delegate it? If you keep pushing it off, it might be time to outsource.
- Can I drop it? If it’s not crucial to your goals, why keep forcing it?
- Can I reframe it? If it’s something you must do, can you find a way to connect it to something meaningful to you?
The Truth About “Shoulds”
One of the biggest causes of procrastination is the weight of shoulds—the things we think we should be doing, based on external expectations.
Carly encourages us to ask, Should, according to who?
Many of us structure our businesses (and lives) around advice from mentors, industry leaders, or societal norms.
But if you’re struggling to follow through, it might be because that path doesn’t actually fit you.
For example, one of Carly’s clients felt guilty about not focusing on Instagram for marketing. But when they stepped back, they realized they thrived in live events and speaking engagements. Instead of forcing themselves to post on social media every day, they leaned into what actually worked for them—and their business took off.
The takeaway? If you’re procrastinating on something you should do, it might be because it’s not aligned with how you naturally operate. Instead of forcing it, find a way to tweak it so it feels energizing, not draining.
Stop Reinventing the Wheel
Another common trap for business owners? Feeling like you have to constantly create something new. Carly shared that when she first started marketing her business, she believed she needed fresh content all the time. Then, a mentor told her:
“Why are you reinventing the wheel? People need repetition to understand your message.”
That’s when she realized she could repurpose content—reposting old insights, refining past ideas, and making small tweaks instead of starting from scratch. And guess what? No one noticed.
This applies to everything from social media to email marketing to business systems. If you’re procrastinating on content creation, marketing, or even refining an offer, ask yourself… Am I making this harder than it needs to be?
How to Work With Procrastination Instead of Against It
If you find yourself putting off something you logically know is important, Carly suggests linking it to something you already love doing.
For example, if you struggle with writing content, but you love having conversations, record yourself talking about a topic and use a transcription tool (or even AI) to turn it into a blog post. If social media feels like a chore, pull quotes from emails or newsletters you’ve already written instead of forcing yourself to create something from scratch.
By connecting “low-priority” tasks to your natural strengths, you’ll procrastinate less—because the task will start to feel aligned with what already excites you.
The Role of Shame and Unrealistic Expectations
For many of us, procrastination isn’t just a productivity issue—it’s tied to shame. We beat ourselves up for not being “disciplined” enough or wasting time. But Carly points out that much of this guilt comes from unrealistic expectations and comparison.
She shared an example of a client who felt ashamed for watching TV. But when they dug deeper, they realized they were drawn to shows that reflected real-life business challenges—helping them process their own struggles in a different way.
Rather than feeling guilty about downtime, Carly suggests shifting your perspective:
- Instead of thinking, “I should be doing something productive,” try… “I’m allowing myself time to recharge.”
- Instead of feeling bad for scrolling social media, ask… “Am I actually getting inspiration or value from this?”
More often than not, the things we feel guilty about have some benefit—we just haven’t acknowledged it yet.
Balancing Procrastination with Discipline
So how do you balance procrastination with the need for discipline? Carly’s advice… Look at where you’re already disciplined.
“Every day, there are things you naturally do without anyone reminding you—things you never procrastinate on,” she explained. “That’s where your true priorities are.”
Rather than forcing discipline where it doesn’t naturally exist, try linking less exciting tasks to what already drives you.
If you keep putting off admin work, but you love the feeling of an organized workspace, remind yourself how finishing the task will give you that satisfaction. If you avoid marketing but love helping clients, think of content creation as a way to serve before someone hires you.
When you align tasks with what already fuels you, discipline happens naturally—without the constant inner battle.
The Takeaway
Stop fighting procrastination and start using it as a guide.
Rather than seeing it as a weakness, recognize it as a signal:
- Are you trying to force yourself into a path that isn’t right for you?
- Are you overcomplicating something that could be easier?
- Are you feeling guilty about something that actually serves you in some way?
Once you stop trying to force yourself into someone else’s version of productivity, you can start building a business (and life) that truly fits you.
So, the next time you find yourself procrastinating, pause and ask… What is this trying to tell me? The answer might just unlock the clarity you’ve been looking for.
