Why You Procrastinate (And Why Perfectionism Makes It Worse)

When you know what you “should” do but still can’t make yourself do it, it’s easy to assume you’re the problem. In this episode, I’m joined by GP and Chimp Management director Dr Sarah Caddy to break down procrastination and perfectionism using the Chimp Model from Professor Steve Peters. We explore why capable, intelligent people still get stuck, how perfectionism quietly fuels avoidance, and why motivation is the least reliable part of the process. This is a practical conversation about what’s actually going on in your brain when you delay, overthink, or wait for the “right time” — and how to start working with it instead of fighting it. We cover: why procrastination isn’t laziness how perfectionism drives inaction the role of habits, beliefs and self-image why motivation fades (and what matters more) making a plan that works on your worst day how comparison and marketing hijack your thinking simple ways to get unstuck and take action Links: The Chimp Paradox A Path Through the Jungle Chimp Management If you’ve ever thought “I know what to do, I just can’t make myself do it,” this will make uncomfortable amounts of sense.