How to Use Human Design to Avoid Productive Procrastination and Achieve Your Goals
We've all been there. You're going non-stop, moving a mile a minute, attained the illustrious inbox zero, done all the tasks, attended every meeting … but you take a step back and realize somehow, regardless of all the time, energy, resources, and thought you've invested over the past who knows how long, you aren't seeing the results you really intended to achieve. You wake up every day and know you're giving something your all, but it's not the thing that makes you feel fulfilled, grounded, satisfied, meaningfully accomplished or content. It's like the feeling of digging in sand: for every scoop you hoist away, there is a sure and steady trickle back into the hole you were so intent on emptying. To be candid, it's flipping exhausting.
The Draw of Productive Procrastination
So what exactly is going on here? There are many terms to describe this particular phenomenon, but for the purposes of this post, I'm going to use the phrase "productive procrastination." Productive in the sense that you are aware that you are doing activities and "things" that are socially accepted as useful things to be doing [enter any such activity that resonates with you]. The procrastination part of this phrase comes in the glorification of busyness when really you're avoiding the things that could be deeply meaningful and impactful because you're so invested in the idea that you will get to the really "big" things once the 10,000 tiny things (or tasky-tasks, as I call them) are done.
In Human Design theory, this sort of constant productivity and performing production is because a lot of our world is structured to suit the Generator energy type. As a Generator myself, I love nothing more than a long to-do list of tasky-tasks. It enables me to shut off my brain and just respond to the items on the list. Thanks to my defined sacral, I am the Queen of tackling a bunch of seemingly unrelated items in record speed – and have been often praised for my ability to do this. But the deeper into busy work and productive procrastination we get, the harder it can be to discern what it is that actually matters on a more profound and very personal level. It's like living on energetic junk food, it can be wildly delightful and satisfying but at a certain point, the sugar crash hits and the inner pilot light goes out (yes, I am mixing a lot of metaphors). This feeling of being in the crash and realizing you haven't achieved the goals you hold near and dear is, frankly, devastating. It is especially hard when everyone around you is commending you for your ability to take every volunteer opportunity or manage 100 different projects or keep your house absolutely spotless but you are still feeling in your innermost self that something is off. So how do we right this ship?
Setting meaningful goals
The first step to help you suss out what is productive for you is getting really clear about what you'd like to accomplish. Now the you in this equation is essential. Try to quiet the voices of all the other people/influences in your life that might be piping up right now, and just focus on dialing up the volume on your own inner voice. Setting personal goals can be challenging, so I'd recommend starting less with a tangible thing and more of a feeling. Imagine what you hope to experience. What does that feel like? What feels expansive in this scenario, what feels inviting? Start with clarity of sensation. Next, it can be helpful to consider your core values. What is important to you? Picture your values as your personal North Star. A truly meaningful goal should make that star shine brighter, not send you off course. Some examples could be valuing your time with friends, a comfortable and secure living environment, freedom to explore the world, or simply having the things you like. Ensuring your values align with your intended goals is a helpful way to support yourself as you go. For example, if my goal is to write a 1,000-page novel and I know I need significant focus time for this, but I value living in an engaging and fun community, I'm going to need to learn to set some boundaries so my socialization needs don't lead to … you guessed it, productive procrastination.
You can start as big or small as you like – and remember, this is less about getting the end goal and more about the process itself. Life is hardly linear and making time for fun, rest, and enjoyment, and getting lost off your charted path can be as valuable as working away at your goals. The point is to increase your clarity and awareness of when you're doing what so you can be in the energetic driver's seat.
Now, let’s break this down by type:
Generator
As the signature worker bees of the Human Design types, productive procrastination may be your MO. I fully own that it is one of my special skills and it has taken me time and effort to be able to toggle between when I'm getting carried away by the satisfaction of just getting things done and when I'm being nourished by the activities I'm engaged in.
Here are a few things to look out for:
Can you see the big picture of how your tasks are leading to achievement or are you set in doing and figuring out what it all means later? If the latter, it’s time to pause.
There is a rush that comes with finishing tasks but feeling satisfied and accomplished requires intention. Are you considering your intention while using your response mechanism?
Are you starting to feel burnt out? This is a surefire way to spot if you’re responding from an inner need to do so or simply because you can. It takes longer for Generator’s energy to hit that “max capacity” realm, but you may notice you’re dragging a bit more and generally feeling frenzied instead of focused.
Ways to get back on track:
Practice the art of "no." It is important to remember that saying no is just as important as saying yes – if not more so. Tune into your inner authority and wait for the feeling of being pulled toward something before committing your energy to. Remember, while you have a LOT of energy, it is not endless. Where you focus your energy is important.
Make some space for yourself! The generator strategy may be to respond but it is not about being in constant reaction mode. There needs to be space for receptivity (particularly depending on your variables) to be able to ensure your mind isn’t taking over for your authority.
Have some fun. When you're edging on burn out, it can be hard to remember what it feels like to be in a space of joy. Pay extra attention to what it feels like to pet your dog's head or dance around your room to an amazing song for a few minutes. Generators are driven by vibes, if you've lost your connection to what yours is – give yourself a few minutes a day to intentionally look for it.
Manifesting Generator
Similar to generators, Manifesting Generators have a seemingly endless wealth of energy to spend – but a professional multitasker, it is important to be conscious of where you are splitting your focus and why.
Your productive procrastination looks a little like this:
Juggling too many things at once. There is a difference between having 10 tabs open and trying to be actively engaged in all the tabs at once.
You lost the plot. You started the day with a very clear intention but by the end of the day, you’re so exhausted you can’t even remember what you set out to do.
Burnout. Just like Generators, Manifesting Generators have an energy store but there is a catch. If you push yourself through activities that don’t feel ultimately fulfilling, expect the frustration, anger, and eventual exhaustion to kick in. If you feel like you’ve lost your sparkle, it’s a good time to pause.
How to flip the script:
Think of your long-term vision as the North Star. Before you take on a new task, ask yourself: "Is this taking me closer to my guiding light, or am I just chasing shiny things?" It is also important to check in to recenter yourself in this. It can be easy for Manifesting Generators to get caught chasing the needs of others. Ask yourself if you’re taking action from your gut or is your mind taking the wheel. Another red flag is if you’ve stopped informing. If your connection to your strategy has fallen into the background, you are likely missing key opportunities to recruit others to help you out. Accountability partners, support circles, whatever you need to be successful can’t find you if you don’t inform.
Break down your big goals into bite-sized pieces. Instead of "Write a novel," try "Write 300 words today." It’s completely fine if in between writing those words, you went grocery shopping, learned a new dance, and practiced your language lessons. You can also experiment with habit stacking to scratch the itch of multitasking. This can help you build in new pathways towards your goals into your existing routine.
Make space! It doesn’t have to be every day, but set a reminder to sit and do nothing for period or time, regularly. Consistency may not be your thing, but like generators, manifesting generators need space to be able to clearly hear their authority. Fostering a safe space to be still will also help you break out of an endless responding cycle – it might feel weird at first, but sitting in the discomfort will help build inner resilience.
Projector
There is a very telling phrase, “If you want something done, give it to the busy person.” In this instance, you can likely swap in “Projector” for person and get the picture. Generator conditioning may have you worshipping productivity, but remember your gift is your perspective – not the million and one things you can do.
If you’re caught in a productive procrastination spiral, it may look like:
Being nominated to everyone’s fixer. You’re not only advising, you’re holding hands, over-owning, and making yourself personally responsible for ensuring everyone else’s needs are met.
You're stuck in a pattern of prepping, studying, and perfecting. Every hour spent on something requires four more of review, revisions, and second-guessing. Things that should take 30 minutes are sucking you into a whole day.
Self-care? Personal aspirations? Those are far off dreams for you to accomplish right after you finish this other thing that someone needs you for…
How to hit reset:
Let’s face it, you are tired. Rest cannot be avoided – particularly when it is such a powerful tool for magnetizing the things you will need to finally accomplish your goals. The most productive thing a Projector can do is rebel against the Generator grain and take a nap. Go off the grid. Leave one day’s schedule completely open and don’t force yourself to do a dang thing.
Set boundaries like they're your new favorite hobby. It's not selfish; it's self-preservation. If your energy is constantly crowded with other people’s wants and needs, it will be impossible to find space for your own. It can be hard to set boundaries at first, but going back to your core values and being clear with yourself about whether or not activities or invites align with those will give you some extra validation.
Your gift for seeing others so clearly is amazing. Unfortunately, it can be extremely hard to perceive yourself. This is true for all types, but the Projector lens has an external default. If you’re struggling to get in touch with your innermost self, tarot can be incredibly illuminating. You may also consider sound boarding with a friend or trusted advisor – heck, type it out into ChatGPT! The more you’re able to put the internal into the external realm, the better you can perceive it.
Manifestor
Manifestors want to do it all. And good luck telling them they can’t! But just because you can, doesn’t always mean you should. For this type, energy is cyclical and it is vital to not get swept up in a million and one tasky-tasks. Manifestors are designed to initiate, envision a world that doesn’t yet exist, solve problems most people barely understand. It’s like being tasked with designing a conservation area and volunteering to cut every tiny blade of grass by hand instead of you know, working on the design.
Signals of productive procrastination:
You’re not just hesitating to delegate work, you’re straight up refusing to. Delegating requires informing others but when you’re in a productive procrastination spiral, it can feel like it’s literally too much work to explain what needs to get done to someone else and just do it all yourself.
Nothing is going as planned. Similar to the above, if you’re finding that every time you try to get something started, the wheels are coming off immediately, it’s probably time to pause. The Manifestor perspective is very focused and if you’re only noticing what isn’t working – even if there are many other things in motion that ARE working – you’re busying yourself cleaning up messes that likely don’t need your specific energy.
You can’t remember the last time you had alone time. It is true, every type loves to bask in the glow of a Manifestor – but if all day every day is booked, then there is no time for you dear Manifestor. A key element of your signature is finding quiet moments for peace. There is a delicate balance between initiating and receiving inspiration. If you don’t set the boundary and create space – there’s a good chance you’ll wind up bored and exhausted, no matter how much time you fill.
How to get back on course:
Build in rest cycles. Schedule a solo weekend trip, hide in your closet for 30 minutes, go for a very long walk with noise canceling headphones. Working this into your regular routine will help kindle the flame of your inner inspiration. If you are constantly going at full blaze, you won’t be able to discern your next goal from a running list of things you “should” get done.
Face the discomfort. I know you are restless, but constant motion will only lead you back to point one here. When a Manifestor is antsy, it’s a bit like an energetic waiting signal. There is someone or something trying to get your attention so you can initiate the next big thing but you have to be patient. Focusing on breathing exercises, meditation, or other tools that help your body relax will support you in honing the messages and direction coming through.
Get inspired. Sometimes physically taking yourself out of the every day can be just the trick to shift your perspective from the minute to the big picture. Spending time in nature and literally going to higher ground can be ways to expand your view. If you’re not an outdoorsy type, delving into the world of imagination can work as well – pick up a new fantasy novel or flip through magazines. Reconnecting with things and places that feel awe-inspiring will help you get back in touch with the potential within
Reflector
Reflectors, you rare and wonderful chameleons. Your receptivity and ability to mirror the world around you is a true gift. With this, however, comes the challenge of not getting swept up in all the thoughts, feelings, pressures of every single other being around you.
For our reflectors, productive procrastination may look like:
Burning the candle at both ends. And not even just one candle, but a full cathedrals worth because you’d rather just keep going than let anyone down.
Anticipating other’s needs and making no space for you own. You don’t have time to take a vacation because you’ve volunteered to cover for everyone else’s holidays.
Decision fatigue. You’ve either been making choices too quickly or sitting on unanswered invitations for so long you’re overwhelmed to the extreme. Considering options for every single potential angle may seem like the reasonable thing to do, but every new potential for consideration is taking you farther off course. Planning to plan is now an all encompassing activity.
How to get back to your strength:
Set the scene. You do your best, most aligned work when your environment is matched to what you’re hoping to accomplish. If you’ve always wanted to learn to skateboard, hang out in the local skate park or play videos of skaters to get you inspired. If you’re in need of focus, find a space that feels energetically quiet (remember, energetically quiet could very well be a room filled with stuff, for you). Check out your Human Design environment for an extra boost.
Rest, rest, rest. Reflectors are the tuning forks of the Human Design types, so if you’ve spent significant time and energy helping to rebalance everyone around you, you’re going to need space for a personal tune up. Your design naturally intakes the energy of everyone around you which can be pretty intense. Resting, making space to decompress, and finding room to just be with yourself, can be incredibly fortifying.
Break things down. Your strategy is to wait a full moon cycle before making major decisions and while that may be liberating, it could also cause the pressure to make choices to grow so big that you keep putting things off. Leverage your ability to plug into the energy of others and lean on someone with defined centers that align with the decision you’re trying to make and have them help you break it down. Taking small, lower stakes steps will help you build the comfort and trust you need to navigate the bigger unknowns. It can be challenging for Reflectors to break out of a routine they feel content with, so using a support system will help you adjust.
Moving towards your goals
Productive procrastination can affect all Human Design types, but recognizing the pattern is the first step to breaking it. By understanding your unique energy and decision-making process, you can start to align your daily actions with your deeper goals and aspirations. Remember, it's not about doing more—it's about doing what matters most to you.
Take some time to reflect on your recent activities. Are they moving you towards your true goals, or are they just keeping you busy? By making small shifts in how you approach your tasks and prioritize your time, you can start to break the cycle of productive procrastination and move towards a more fulfilling and aligned life.