The Art of Deflection
As the year winds down, it’s easy to feel the pull of deflection. End-of-year burnout sets in. The holidays approach. Our calendars fill with parties, family gatherings, and travel. And suddenly, the easiest answer to unfinished work is: “Let’s revisit this in January.” Or maybe it looks like handing something off instead of closing it out ourselves.
Deflection is subtle. It doesn’t always feel like avoidance—it can sound reasonable, even responsible. But left unchecked, it creates a cycle of punting decisions, delaying progress, and carrying unfinished weight into the new year.
How to Recognize Deflection
Delay disguised as planning: “We’ll circle back after the holidays.”
Reassignment without accountability: “Maybe someone else can take this.”
Energy depletion: You’re too drained to give it focus, so you redirect or avoid it.
Minimizing the impact: Convincing yourself “it’s not that urgent,” when in reality it matters.
What To Do With It
Pause and Reflect
Ask yourself: Am I deflecting because it truly requires more time—or because I don’t want to face it right now? Reflection is the first step to clarity.Break It Down
Big, looming tasks are easier to deflect. Shrink them into one or two simple actions you can complete before year’s end. Small wins keep momentum alive.Flow More Naturally
Instead of pushing tasks away, find a more natural rhythm. Maybe that means setting lighter milestones for December but still keeping progress visible. Avoiding deflection doesn’t mean overextending—it means choosing progress over paralysis.Hit It Head-On (Even in Small Ways)
Address the lingering task directly. Acknowledge it, take one step, or set a firm commitment. Momentum is built by action, not avoidance.
The truth is, deflection is tempting—especially in December. But what if instead of punting, you chose to meet it with awareness? To practice a new flow that honors both your energy and your responsibility? That shift turns December from a month of deferrals into a month of momentum.
TISM Connect Reflection Prompt:
Where are you tempted to deflect right now? Instead of pushing it into January, what’s one step you can take this week to address it head-on?