The Why We Build Podcast! The Art of Putting It Off: Procrastination in Remodeling
Episode Summary
In this solo episode, host Greg Woleck takes a humorous and honest look at one of the most common challenges in both life and remodeling: procrastination. After admitting he procrastinated on recording the very episode you’re about to hear, Greg dives deep into why we procrastinate, how it quietly erodes profit and trust in remodeling companies, and what leaders can do to overcome it.
Through laughter, Latin phrases, and leadership lessons, Greg shows that procrastination isn’t laziness — it’s often protection, perfectionism, or plain old fear. You’ll hear real-world examples from design-build life and walk away with practical tools to break through inertia and build momentum.
🧱 Topics Covered
- Why procrastination feels productive (and why it’s not)
- “Head-trash”: what it is and how it drives avoidance
- Five root causes of procrastination — from perfectionism to the illusion of “Future You”
- Where procrastination hides in remodeling companies
- The true cost of “We’ll figure it out in the field”
- Five ways to beat procrastination with clarity, structure, and motion
- Why leadership procrastination quietly drains culture and accountability
💡 Key Takeaways
1. Procrastination isn’t laziness — it’s head-trash. It’s everything you think that makes things harder than they really are.
2. Fear wears disguises. Perfectionism, overwhelm, and avoidance are all forms of self-protection.
3. In remodeling, procrastination costs real money. A late estimate, a half-finished checklist, or an unspoken conversation each erode margin and trust.
4. The best antidote is motion. Shrink the task. Do one small thing. Action shrinks anxiety.
5. Done beats perfect. Momentum creates mastery — you can’t improve what you never start.
🛠️ Practical Tools Mentioned
- Shrink the Task: Start small — one step creates momentum.
- The Five-Minute Rule: If it takes less than five minutes, do it now.
- Schedule the Hard Stuff: Creativity and strategy need structure.
- External Accountability: Tell someone. Deadlines need witnesses.
- Reward Progress: Celebrate completion, not perfection.
🗣️ Memorable Quotes
“Procrastination isn’t a time management problem — it’s head-trash management.”
“Perfectionism isn’t about high standards; it’s about fear. Fear that what we produce won’t be good enough.”
“Procrastination on preparation doesn’t save time — it borrows it from the future, with interest.”
“Leadership procrastination spreads faster than drywall dust.”
“The best way to beat procrastination is to build something worth not delaying.”
🧩 About This Episode
Host: Greg Woleck Podcast: The Why We Build Podcast Episode Length: 18:00 – 20:00 minutes (solo) Theme: Leadership, Productivity, Mindset in Remodeling
🔗 Connect with Greg
- Website: RemodelersAdvantage.com
- Podcast: Why We Build Podcast
- LinkedIn: Greg Woleck
- Instagram: @whywebuild_ra