Ah, procrastination. It’s a big bugaboo for  at least 20% of people in the United States, according to psychologists. Most of us think of procrastination as just putting off work, but it can be more than that. Procrastination means coupons expire, gift cards go unused, and the laundry gets done only when the clean clothes run out.

Procrastination is missing out on opportunity. If you’ve ever struggled with procrastination personally or professionally, it can be stressful and frustrating—especially when you don’t know why you keep doing it.

For the real estate investor, seizing opportunity is at the forefront of your responsibilities. Overcoming your patterns of procrastination will take time and small, consistent efforts. When you examine why you procrastinate and discover what gets you motivated, you’ll finally be able to achieve your true potential as a real estate investor.

Have you ever labeled yourself as a procrastinator? Procrastination can show up in a lot of different ways and stems from plenty of reasons — but it’s never good. Whether you feel that you “work better under pressure” or just can’t muster the will to get things done, procrastination isn’t as harmless as it may seem.