Procrastination or Pivot? How to Tell the Difference (And What to Do About It)

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Let’s be real. If you’ve ever stared at your to-do list and felt… nothing? Like you should want to work on it—but instead you’re dragging your feet, dodging tasks, and wondering if you’re suddenly lazy?

You’re not alone. And you’re not lazy.

You might just be in the murky middle—that weird, foggy space between what used to work and what’s next. The place where burnout whispers, momentum stalls, and every decision feels like a damn identity crisis.

So the million-dollar question is:

Are you procrastinating… or are you pivoting?

Let’s break it down.

The High-Achiever’s Dilemma: When Motivation Disappears

If you're anything like me (hi, I'm Ellyn 👋 former scientist turned burnout coach + systems strategist), your identity is probably wrapped up in achievement. Getting things done. Checking the box. Hitting the goal.

So when that drive disappears? It doesn’t just feel uncomfortable—it feels wrong.

You start spiraling:

• “Am I just being lazy?”

• “Why can’t I get it together?”

• “Maybe I’m just overwhelmed…”

But what if the issue isn’t that you’re avoiding something?

What if your system is actually trying to tell you that something’s shifted?

What Procrastination Really Looks Like

Let’s start with procrastination—because ohhh, I know her well.

Procrastination is usually about fear. Fear of doing it wrong. Fear of judgment. Fear of not measuring up.

Here’s how procrastination tends to show up for me (and probably for you too):

• Reworking the same draft again (hello, perfectionism)

• Complicating things that could be simple

• Getting stuck in Notion tweaking, instead of doing

• Convincing yourself it’s “not ready” when really, you’re just not ready to be seen

💡Procrastination = I want it, but I’m scared to want it.

What helps me beat it? Momentum.

• One small step forward

• Dumping my thoughts into my Notion quick capture

• Chatting with my C-Suite GPT (aka my AI co-founder)

• Asking: “What’s one 5-minute action I could take right now?”

Because once I move? I keep moving.

But Sometimes… It’s Not Procrastination. It’s a Pivot.

Now here’s where it gets tricky.

Sometimes, it’s not about fear—it’s about misalignment.

You’re not avoiding the task because you’re scared of failing. You’re avoiding it because it doesn’t fit anymore.

That’s when you’re not procrastinating. You’re pivoting.

The signs:

• Dread, not nerves

• Disconnection, not fear

• Relief when you think about not doing it

I recently had a huge realization: I kept dragging my feet on launching something… and it wasn’t because I was scared. It was because I didn’t want to do it. At all.

When I gave myself permission to pause? I felt relief.

And that was the sign: I wasn’t resisting—it was redirection.

How to Tell the Difference: Procrastination vs. Pivoting

Let’s break it down:

ProcrastinationPivotingFear-based (perfectionism, comparison)Misalignment-based (values conflict, disinterest)You still want it, but you’re scaredYou don’t want it anymore—but you’re scared to admit itResistance comes from insecurityResistance comes from boredom or dreadYou feel anxious avoiding itYou feel relieved letting it goSmall actions spark momentumSmall actions feel like dragging dead weight

If what used to excite you now feels heavy AF—and the only thing keeping it on your to-do list is guilt?

⚡ It’s probably a pivot.

What to Do If You’re in the Murky Middle

Let’s not sugarcoat it: the murky middle sucks.

But it’s also where the real clarity comes.

Here’s how I’m navigating mine (and how you can too):

1. Journal It Out

Ask:

• What feels heavy?

• What feels exciting (even if it’s scary)?

• If I gave myself permission to shelf this—what opens up?

2. Soundboard With Someone (or Something)

Text your biz bestie. Talk it out with ChatGPT. Let the swirl get out of your head so you can see it clearly.

3. Redefine “Success”

Ask yourself: Does this still align with my values?

That’s what led me to a huge pivot: I realized I don’t want a calendar full of calls. I want a business full of digital products, plug-and-play templates, and freedom. And that clarity? Changed everything.

💥 Pivoting is scary—but staying stuck is worse.

This Is Your Permission Slip to Pivot

If no one’s told you yet today?

✨ You don’t need to finish something just because you started it.

✨ You don’t need to explain your pivot to anyone—not even yourself.

✨ You don’t need to feel guilty for changing your mind.

You’re not flaky. You’re evolving.

And if you're in this middle space, where everything feels a little foggy and nothing feels 100% clear?

You’re not broken. You’re becoming.

Want a Space That Supports the Murky Middle?

That’s exactly why I built Burnout-Proof Business.

✅ Systems that hold you when motivation dips
✅ Tools that help you find clarity when everything feels foggy
✅ A behind-the-scenes look at how I’m pivoting in real time

Because building a burnout-proof business doesn’t mean always knowing the answer—it means creating space for the evolution.

→ Join Burnout-Proof Business here: coachellyn.com/bpb

Bonus Tools That’ll Help:

• 🧠 The Values Mini-Course: Find Your Values and build your internal compass. Click Here >>

• 🤖 Build Your C-Suite GPT: Get on the list here for updates on how to create your own AI business sidekick. Click here to Check Out the Shop >>

• 📥 Join the Sunday CEO Diaries: Get candid insights, systems tips, and behind-the-scenes pivots straight to your inbox. Click Here →

You don’t need to push harder.
You need to pivot smarter.

Let’s make this next version of you—and your business—the most aligned one yet.