CPTSD Could Be the Reason You Struggle to GET THINGS DONE

Summary

This video discusses how procrastination, especially for those with childhood trauma, can feel like a form of paralysis, holding you back in life. The speaker shares personal experiences with procrastination and explains how unresolved trauma, stress, and overwhelm make everyday tasks feel much harder. The key to overcoming this, they argue, is through action—taking small, consistent steps that build momentum and break the cycle of avoidance. The speaker emphasizes that while taking action is difficult, it leads to fulfillment, productivity, and personal growth.

Takeaways

• 😔 Procrastination can feel like paralysis, especially for those with trauma, preventing them from taking action.
• 😟 Childhood trauma can exacerbate procrastination, turning it into a vicious cycle that impacts many areas of life, including relationships, career, and health.
• 😣 Procrastination is not about laziness, but a deep emotional struggle rooted in stress, exhaustion, and trauma.
• 💪 Overcoming procrastination requires addressing the underlying trauma and gradually taking small steps toward action.
• 🎬 Taking action, even in small doses, builds momentum and a sense of accomplishment, making future actions easier and more natural.
• 🛑 Procrastinating doesn't reduce stress but adds to it; avoiding tasks creates more chaos and stress.
• 🚶‍♂️ Action can be a muscle that you train slowly—start small, like brushing your teeth, and build from there.
• 💡 Creativity and productivity come with effort, but it is worth pushing through to achieve your goals and find fulfillment.
• 🌱 Embracing action helps avoid falling into a state of paralysis or victimhood and gives life purpose and meaning.
• 📈 Success may not come immediately, but consistent action leads to personal growth, vibrance, and unexpected opportunities.

Q & A

What is the core idea of the script regarding procrastination?

The core idea is that procrastination can be much worse for people with trauma, particularly those who were abused or neglected as children. It can create a sense of paralysis and hold them back from achieving their potential. Addressing the underlying trauma is key to overcoming procrastination.

How does the speaker describe procrastination beyond simple laziness?

The speaker describes procrastination as more than just laziness. They call it a form of paralysis that infects the will and sabotages one's sense of self-worth and purpose, causing significant harm to relationships, career, and well-being.

Why does the speaker compare procrastination to a parasite?

Procrastination is compared to a parasite because it drains the person's motivation, infects their sense of purpose, and prevents them from taking meaningful action on their own behalf, much like a parasite gradually weakens its host.

What does the speaker say about the difficulty of starting tasks for people with trauma?

The speaker explains that starting tasks can be particularly difficult for those with trauma due to the emotional exhaustion and overwhelm that comes with trauma symptoms. Even small tasks can feel monumental, leading to a cycle of avoidance and stress.

What is the speaker's personal experience with procrastination?

The speaker shares that they used to struggle with procrastination a lot, feeling demoralized by it. However, they eventually overcame it, which allowed them to build a successful YouTube channel, write a book, and grow a team.

What strategy does the speaker suggest for overcoming procrastination?

The speaker suggests taking small, consistent actions to overcome procrastination. They recommend starting with manageable tasks, even when it feels hard, and gradually building momentum by doing a little more each day.

How does the speaker link trauma with the inability to take action?

The speaker links trauma with the inability to take action by explaining that unhealed trauma can cause constant stress and emotional exhaustion, making everything seem more difficult. This leads to a vicious cycle where stress fuels procrastination, which in turn causes more stress.

What role does integrity play in overcoming procrastination according to the speaker?

Integrity plays a key role in overcoming procrastination, as the speaker emphasizes the importance of setting an intention and following through on it. Accomplishing even small tasks reinforces a sense of personal integrity and helps break the cycle of avoidance.

Why does the speaker caution against extreme approaches to tackling to-do lists?

The speaker cautions against extreme approaches because trying to do everything all at once can lead to overwhelm and burnout, causing a person to fall back into procrastination. They recommend a more measured, sustainable approach of taking small, consistent actions.

What does the speaker say about failure and productivity?

The speaker acknowledges that fear of failure can hold people back from being productive, but insists that putting work out there, even if it's not perfect, is more important. They accept that making mistakes is part of the process and encourage others to push through the fear of judgment.