The overwhelming weight of financial struggles was crushing me as my credit card debt continued to spiral. My breaths grew shallow, almost gasping, as the walls of financial insecurity seemed to close around me.

I started to see the cost of procrastination in my mounting debts and financial insecurity.

How did I become this person? What pushed me to this desolate pit where Netflix and pizza were my only companions and daily avoidance had become my troublesome habit?

To understand my journey, I needed to delve deep into my psyche, unravel the layers of denial, and embark on a journey of brutal honesty. Committing to this step revealed the real emotional cost of procrastination and its grip on my life.

Growing up, I was a people-pleaser, a yes-woman. I avoided conflicts like a cat avoiding water, dancing around issues instead of facing them. I never realized the cost of procrastination on my own well-being.

Ironically, I excelled at helping others avoid the cost of procrastination in their finances—I've been the go-to treasurer for various clubs and schools.

Yet, when it came to my own life, I'd rather bury my head in the sand than tackle my growing debts and life-altering decisions.

My story is not just about procrastination; it's about making a real change —and trust me, if I can change, you can too.

Denial and the Cost of Procrastination

In 2009, I experienced my first layoff, which hit me like a ton of bricks.

Fear built up, bills started piling on the kitchen table, and the word 'bankruptcy' became a scary monster in my mind.

Just thinking about filing bankruptcy made me feel like I was tearing myself apart.

But it couldn't fix the emotional mess inside me that got me into this whole situation in the first place.

Losing my job felt like losing a part of myself. My friends tried to help, but nothing they said could calm the emotional storm inside me that kept me up night after night.

I'll be honest: I felt a bit better when the debt was wiped away, and I swore I would never get in this mess again.

The first layoff exposed the raw cost of procrastination in facing reality.

Old habits die hard, and I was laid off again.

It was like a rerun of my worst moments. At 53, it wasn't just my house at risk; it felt like my whole future was about to crash and burn.

This second layoff wasn't just another crisis; it was the wake-up call that finally made me face the cost of procrastination and my recurring financial mess.

But solving it wouldn't just be about willpower; it would be about seeing things from a new perspective, almost as if I were stepping outside myself.

It was an emotional excavation, digging deep to uncover why I procrastinated.

Unraveling my layers of denial, I began to face the cost of procrastination on my personal journey.

I faced my inner fears and hidden shame and began the challenging journey to improvement.

I sorted out the emotional blocks that held me back and got real about my strengths and weaknesses.

Navigating these challenges, I unknowingly honed skills that would later define my approach to procrastiantion and productivity coaching—turning personal pitfalls into powerful lessons.

The 'Suzanne Strategy'

One day, the puzzle pieces finally fit together.

I had a moment of clarity:

• What if I turned that empathy, compassion, and dedication inward?
• What if I made myself my top priority, leaning on my history as a successful treasurer for various groups?

You might think creating 'Suzanne' was sidestepping the real issue of my procrastination, but you'd be wrong. It was like flipping a switch.

Creating 'Suzanne' helped me take account for the cost of procrastination in my life, by requiring me to be proactive about my finances.

This approach took the edge off in two game-changing ways:

1. Suddenly, I was rolling up my sleeves and diving into my—or rather, 'Suzanne's'—finances.
2. This little mental shift axed the self-criticism and self-blame that had always been my go-to excuses for delay. For the first time, I had the breathing room to tackle my personal issues while also sorting my finances.

Eventually, 'Suzanne'—the personified avatar embodying my success stories—merged into just me, the person I'd always longed to set free.

I didn't have to change who I was at my core; instead, I learned how to use my true self to my advantage. My so-called flaws morphed into my strongest assets, and I learned to truly appreciate myself, warts and all.

The creation of 'Suzanne' was more than a personal finance tactic; it became a cornerstone of the empathy-driven coaching strategies I now employ to help others.

This was a game-changer for my whole life. It showed me—and it'll show you too—that turning things around isn't just doable; it's right there for the taking.

Real Talk from a Former Procrastinator

The following pivotal strategies stand out, marking the milestones of my progress. Each step forward was a step away from the hidden cost of procrastination.

These weren't just random tips; they were game-changers for me. By living these lessons, I didn't just kick procrastination to the curb; I got to know the real me. And that's why I'm sharing this with you—so you can see that you can beat procrastination, even when times get tough.

Reflecting on these strategies, I recognize them not just as steps in my journey but as the framework that shapes the way I now guide others as a procrastination and productivity coach.

So, if you're reading this and thinking, 'There's no way I could ever get over procrastination,' trust me, you can.

Digging Deeper into Each Step

These steps became my personal life hack guide. They weren't set-in-stone rules but more like guiding lights, showing me the way out of my procrastination pit and into a life that actually feels rewarding.

• Taking Time to Think: Look, I didn't just breeze through these steps. I sat with them like you'd sit with a good book or movie, letting the messages really sink in. I wanted to understand what each step was truly about, feel it in my bones, and then live it out in my day-to-day life.
• Trying Stuff Out: Not every step was a home run from the start. I had to experiment with different approaches, make some tweaks here and there, and learn from my mistakes. This was all about trial and error until each step felt like it was truly a part of my daily life.
• Making It My Own: I customized these methods until they worked just right for me. But hey, this journey is yours, too, and you're free to add your own twist. Trust me, you've got the power to beat procrastination on your own terms. If I managed, believe me, you can too.

This journey taught me so much more than just beating procrastination; it helped me embrace the messy, wonderful rollercoaster of being human.

As a procrastination and productivity coach, I now help others understand the cost of procrastination and how to overcome it.

How to Turn Procrastination into Your Own Success Story

Procrastination nearly had me beat, but it became the nudge I needed to grow and see life differently. The transformation was hard but life-changing, and it's a wisdom we can all benefit from.

Your journey might look different from mine, but the lessons are universal.

Embrace your authentic self and tap into your strengths.

With determination, self-compassion, and a bit of courage, you can rewrite your story and conquer the habit of delay, not just with finances.

It's never too late to take charge of your destiny. Your unique capabilities could be the key to a more satisfying and proactive life.

I encourage you to take that step and plunge into the exhilarating, procrastination-free existence that awaits.

I made that leap, and the rewards have been immeasurable. As a procrastination and productivity coach, I'm committed to helping you do the same.

Together, we can navigate your challenges and harness your potential, moving past the pitfalls and costs of procrastination.

So, if you're prepared to reduce the cost of procrastination in your life and transform your deferred dreams into immediate achievements, reach out.

Let's make today the day you start creating the life you've envisioned.