Morty Lefkoe’s approach to overcoming procrastination and the fear of public speaking:
Addressing the Root Causes of Procrastination and Glossophobia
For many people, procrastination and the fear of public speaking (glossophobia) are two of the most frustrating and persistent challenges they face. Whether it’s putting off important work or dreading the thought of giving a presentation, these issues can hold people back from achieving their full potential.
However, Morty Lefkoe, the co-founder of the Lefkoe Institute, has developed a unique method for addressing the underlying causes of these problems. At the heart of Lefkoe’s approach is the belief that our behaviors and emotions are not determined by external reality, but by the limiting beliefs and interpretations we develop over time.
When it comes to procrastination, Lefkoe argues that people often form beliefs that make certain tasks seem aversive, overwhelming, or unrewarding – causing them to put them off. For example, someone who believes “studying is boring” may have had negative experiences with studying in the past that led them to generalize it into a global belief. This belief then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, making studying genuinely unpleasant and causing them to avoid it, even when it’s important for their goals.
Similarly, the fear of public speaking is often rooted in beliefs like “I’ll be judged and criticized” if they speak in front of others. These beliefs may stem from past experiences of embarrassment or criticism, which the person has generalized into an ingrained fear.
To overcome these issues, Lefkoe’s method involves a structured process of identifying the specific procrastination patterns or public speaking fears, uncovering the underlying beliefs driving that behavior, and tracing the origins of those beliefs to past experiences or interpretations. By examining alternative interpretations of those past events and realizing the belief is a subjective interpretation rather than an objective fact, people can consciously eliminate the old limiting belief.
In the case of the person who believes “studying is boring”, they would be guided to trace that belief back to specific incidents where they found studying unpleasant. They would then be asked to consider alternative explanations – perhaps they were tired or distracted during those study sessions, or they were studying in an ineffective way. By realizing the belief is not an absolute truth but rather a subjective interpretation they created, they can let go of it.
Similarly, someone with a fear of public speaking might explore where their belief “I’ll be judged and criticized” came from. They may recall a specific instance where they gave a speech and received negative feedback. By examining other possible interpretations of that event – maybe the audience was having an off day, or the criticism said more about them than the speaker – they can start to dismantle the limiting belief.
The final steps involve reframing oneself as the creator of one’s life, not just a passive recipient of beliefs and circumstances. This empowers people to see themselves as the authors of their own experience, with the ability to consciously choose new beliefs and behaviors.
According to Lefkoe, this process of identifying, examining, and eliminating limiting beliefs is key to overcoming procrastination and public speaking anxiety at their core. By addressing the root causes rather than just treating surface-level symptoms, people can make lasting changes and become more productive, focused, and confident communicators.
Lefkoe argues that his method is more effective than traditional approaches, which often rely on time management techniques, accountability partners, exposure therapy, or motivational strategies. While these can provide temporary relief, they don’t necessarily address the underlying beliefs that are driving the problematic behaviors. By contrast, the Lefkoe Method aims to empower people with the understanding that they are the creators of their own experience, and the ability to consciously choose beliefs that serve them.
Of course, overcoming deeply ingrained habits like procrastination or public speaking fears is no easy feat. It requires courage, commitment, and a willingness to closely examine one’s own thought patterns and interpretations. However, for those who are ready to take on the challenge, the Lefkoe Method offers a powerful path to becoming the focused, confident, and self-directed individuals they want to be. By addressing the root causes of these issues, they can unlock their full potential and live more fulfilling, purposeful lives.
The Lefkoe Method for Eliminating Limiting Beliefs including procrastination.
- Identify the undesirable pattern or behavior (e.g. procrastinating, fear of public speaking)
- Uncover the underlying beliefs that are driving that behavior (e.g. “studying is boring”, “I’ll be judged and criticized”)
- Trace the origins of those beliefs to specific past experiences or interpretations
- Examine alternative interpretations of those past events
- Realize the belief is not an objective fact, but rather a subjective interpretation you created
- Consciously eliminate the old limiting belief
- Reframe yourself as the creator of your life, not just a passive recipient of your beliefs
The key is that Lefkoe believes the root causes of issues like procrastination and public speaking anxiety lie in deep-seated limiting beliefs that people have developed over time. By identifying and eliminating these beliefs through this structured process, people can make lasting changes.
The core idea is that our perceptions and behaviors are not determined by external reality, but by the subjective beliefs and interpretations we have created. By uncovering and consciously changing these limiting beliefs, we can overcome the psychological mechanisms behind self-defeating patterns like procrastination.
According to the Lefkoe Institute, this approach can be highly effective, as it addresses the root causes rather than just treating the surface-level symptoms. The goal is to empower people to see themselves as the creators of their own lives, not just passive recipients of their circumstances and beliefs.
Citations:
[1] https://www.inc.com/david-finkel/the-root-cause-of-procrastination.html
[2] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/overcoming-procrastination-understanding-root-causes-demming-ph-d
[3] https://soulsalt.com/what-causes-procrastination/
[4] https://www.betterup.com/blog/what-causes-procrastination
[5] https://mcgraw.princeton.edu/undergraduates/resources/resource-library/understanding-and-overcoming-procrastination