The Call of the Sirens
What if the very things that make you feel productive are actually the siren songs of procrastination — tempting, soothing, and quietly pulling you off course?
We all have our tricks — reading one more article, perfecting our plan, tweaking our process. They make us feel in control, yet they often keep us from moving forward. I call these fantasy games of procrastination.
We don’t waste time. We refine, we prepare, we optimize. It feels good — almost noble — because it’s all done in the name of excellence.
Take me, for instance. Right now, I want to start a new online video series on transformational leadership — my lifelong work, the essence of what I’ve been doing for over twenty years.
And because I care deeply about it, I fall into the trap. I read, I surf, I cross-check models, theories, principles… And when I can’t find exactly what I’m looking for, I search again.
Delightful. Stimulating.
And yes — a perfect, elegant siren song of procrastination.
In Reality, I’m Not Getting Anywhere 😥
While I was (gently) complaining to my husband about not finding anything truly exciting — he’s my go-to when I need a motivational boost — he suddenly asked:
“Have you heard of Fantasy Games?”
“No,” I said. “Is that some kind of online game?”
He laughed. “Not at all. ‘Fantasy,’ as in illusion. It’s a creativity blocker. I read about it on a blog.”
That caught my attention. And it made so much sense.
The Four Syndromes
I have discovered somewhere ( don’t remember exactly ) that they are four types of Fantasy Games that inhibit creative output.
It’s like a mental algorithm whispering: “If you want to create, you must first do this.”
And so, we behave as if we don’t yet have enough to begin — enough knowledge, enough tools, enough clarity, enough perfection.
We get attached to the syndrome that feels the most comfortable… and lose ourselves in it.
They go like this:
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The Knowledge Syndrome
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The Tool Syndrome
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The Process Syndrome
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The Maintenance Syndrome
“In my case, it’s obvious: I suffer from the Maintenance Syndrome!”. My husband burst out laughing — he works in IT. “
“And you?” he asked. “Knowledge!”
The Gremlins Whisper
When it’s time to turn ideas into something tangible, I tend to skate for a while.
Now that I’ve unmasked the Gremlins whispering “learn more” in my ear, I know what I must do.
My rational self — Dom Smart, sitting somewhere in my executive brain — steps in gently and says:
Pause.
Breathe.
Mantra 1: I already know enough to begin.
Mantra 2: Progress beats perfection.
And suddenly, I feel that quiet sense of contentment that comes from serotonin — not the fleeting thrill of dopamine.
Reflect
Now it’s your turn.
What are you trying to produce but still leave hanging?
Which of these loops traps you — more knowledge, more tools, more perfect processes, or endless maintenance?
Recognize your favorite pattern. Smile at it. Thank it. Then let it go.
Look again: do you already have everything you need?
Let go of the outcome and simply do what you do best.
That — right there — is your real contribution.
Take five quiet minutes today to notice where you get stuck — learning, refining, organizing, maintaining.
Then, take one imperfect step forward.
Which fantasy game is yours?
Tell me — I love seeing how awareness shifts everything.
The sirens will keep singing.
Just make sure you’re the one steering the ship.
