Many people struggle with procrastination, feeling frustrated that they “can’t get started” or that motivation comes and goes. Surface-level advice, such as to-do lists or time management tips, can help temporarily, but deeper patterns often drive these behaviours.
In my mentoring practice, I support individuals in exploring these patterns through a narrative and reflective approach, uncovering the meaning behind habits and empowering lasting change.
The challenge
A client, Alex, came to me feeling stuck. Despite having clear goals, she repeatedly postponed important tasks, felt overwhelmed by self-doubt, and struggled to maintain focus. Conventional advice hadn’t produced sustainable results.
How we worked together
I guided Alex through a mentoring process designed to:
1. identify underlying narratives – exploring her personal stories about productivity, self-worth, and expectations.
2. reflect on unconscious blocks – examining beliefs and patterns contributing to procrastination.
3. develop meaning-making strategies – using narrative reflection and creative exercises to connect motivation to values and purpose.
4. integrate practical steps – introducing simple routines to put insights into daily life.
Through 1:1 mentoring sessions, we combined reflective dialogue, guided exercises, and narrative techniques. This helped Alex recognise recurring patterns and understand how they were linked to deeper fears and beliefs.
What it looked like in practice
- Mapping the story: Alex wrote about past experiences with goal-setting and success, highlighting recurring patterns of hesitation and perfectionism.
- Reflective inquiry: Through structured reflection, she examined how past experiences shaped her current behaviours. Questions we explored included: “What meaning do I assign to success?” and “What fears arise when I try to take action?”
- Meaning-making exercises: Using creative prompts, Alex visualised desired outcomes, reframed obstacles as opportunities for growth, and connected tasks to her personal values.
Putting it into action
We developed simple, sustainable routines for daily practice, accountability, and reflective journaling to integrate insights into her life.
What changed for her
Over the course of several sessions, Alex experienced:
- greater awareness of the triggers behind her procrastination
- increased confidence in taking action aligned with her values
- tools to reflect on challenges without self-criticism
- improved focus and sustained motivation
Her procrastination shifted from being a source of frustration to an opportunity for self-understanding, growth, and purposeful action.
Making it work for you
Narrative and reflective mentoring offers a deeper pathway for anyone struggling with procrastination, self-doubt, or habitual blocks. By uncovering the stories that drive behaviour, you can develop insights, take meaningful action, and reconnect with your goals in a sustainable way.
If you’d like to explore your own patterns and uncover what’s holding you back, I offer 1:1 sessions for both individuals and professionals.
Book a first 30- or 60-minute consultation session with me, to learn more.