“I always wanted to be a procrastinator but never got around to it.” – Anonymous

A week ago in this space, the topic was avoidance.  That topic was framed around the idea that leaders have a tendency to avoid things that are unpleasant.  Maybe it’s a difficult conversation, maybe it’s a difficult decision, whatever.

Today’s a little bit different.  The topic is still “leaders not doing things”.  But now it’s about things we tend to think of as positive, things that could be fun, things that we know will lead to great outcomes. 

Now it’s more about putting things off than just avoiding them.  How many things do you know you need to do as a leader that you aren’t doing?  Maybe it’s some knowledge you need to gain, or maybe it’s encouragement you need to give, or maybe it’s a process you need to fix (and you know how to fix it).

Sure, there’s still some level of avoidance going on.  But in a lot of cases, the only thing we’re really avoiding is work.  Gaining knowledge that we need to better perform our role in the world is 100% positive, other than a little work.  Building up a team member who needs it is 100% positive, other than a little work.  Fixing a broken process is 100% positive, other than a little work.

Are you getting the picture?  How many positive things are we not doing because it just feels like work?  We miss out on so many opportunities for better organizations and better careers and better lives because it’s just less work to stick with what we’ve got.

Most leaders I know are perfectly content to be less than their best.  They’re happy being “good enough”, and no amount of pushing or pulling will get them to move.  They usually make good money, and they’re happy to spend their lives underachieving as long as that good money continues to roll in.

Don’t be that kind of leader.  You are on this planet for a purpose, and no one’s purpose is to just get by with the bare minimum.  You are here to do whatever it is you do at the absolute peak level that you’re capable of.

Embrace that.  Stop putting off what you’re supposed to be.  Just go be it.