“I’m going to make those marketing calls. Yup, tomorrow I will.”
“Dang, there’s the alarm. I’ll hit the snooze button – just one more time.”
“I’m going to start an exercise program. I’ll look into it next week.”
“I’ll get that GST report done – one of these days.”
“I’d really like to tell her how I feel about what she said to me. But not now. Maybe there will be a good time later – maybe.”
“Let’s get together for a visit. I’ll call you one of these days.”
Do you allow yourself to get sucked- in to these thoughts and actions, or lack of action now and then? I do, or did, or won’t anymore.
The more I chose these putting-off thoughts and actions, the more immobilized I became. When I chose to do that, I felt inadequate, frustrated, unworthy, and then rushed or panicked. The next emotional “trip” was blame, guilt, or anger – maybe all three. My situation was because of somebody or something else – not my fault.
I don’t know about you, but those feelings don’t seem champion-like. Those are not feelings that I want to embrace.
If I could give you easy steps to procrastinate procrastination so you can feel energized, worthy, productive, happy, and successful, would it be of value to you? If so, read on.
Procrastination is proof that we can postpone our happiness, dreams, and success until another time. We hope and wish that something will magically happen, so our lives will finally be amazing and incredible. Procrastination is a pathetic excuse for not attempting, succeeding, learning, or growing. It’s a pathetic excuse for not using our potential NOW, for not living NOW. Yet many of us procrastinate on a regular basis.
The psychological payoffs for procrastination are immense.
We:
– avoid doing things we perceive to be fearful or uncomfortable
– eliminate risk and avoid change
– can be critical of others and use their inadequacies as justification for our own inactivity
– blame others or the world for our circumstances and results
– win sympathy from others and feel sorry for ourselves
– waste our days, weeks, and years agonizing inside about things we didn’t do
– justify sloppiness or incompetent work because “I just didn’t have enough time”
– avoid success and the perceived responsibilities.
Procrastinating procrastination involves conscious awareness of our actions (or inactions) and making new conscious choices. There are only two choices.
- Do something so it is “done.” Then you can fully experience the feelings of pride, joy, exhilaration, wonder, awe, and great learnings. These are in-the-moment NOW feelings. The outcome may not always be as you pictured it, however there is always a great lesson when we look for it.
- Don’t do something, because it is not important now and is therefore “undone.” Accept this without any feelings of guilt, anxiety, or remorse.
Here are 6 easy steps to procrastinate procrastination. Do them, or procrastinate – your choice. Decide for yourself how good it feels.
** Note: this next part took me a few hours to write because I had things to do with each step.
- Take 15 minutes ONLY and do one thing you really want to do; i.e. a walk, play with your child, bubble-bath, reflect on things for which you are grateful, read a really good book (like mine). Focus your attention only on your experience and the great feelings. You are an amazing human being!! ** Excuse me; I’m going outside for a run with my dog, Tip.
- Do something that you have been putting off. Start now! You’ll find the task is not as bad as you perceived. Choose to enjoy the project and especially the feeling of accomplishment, or movement in a desired direction. ** By gosh, it feels good to complete that GST report.
- Ask yourself, “What is the worst thing that could happen if I do this?” Usually, the perceived fears or challenges are insignificant compared to what you can gain. ** Although I was afraid to ask Carol about our conversation, I did it anyway. I learned I had misunderstood. She was not upset at me. She was frustrated because of her own procrastination. She’s doing something about it now, just as I’ve done.
- If you find yourself being critical, blaming, or sympathetic of others, ask yourself, “Would I want others to do this to me?” ** I will not allow my critical thoughts about him to destroy our working relationship. I am going to see him, now, to talk about this head-to-head and heart-to-heart. He’s a great leader, a wonderful man, and thank goodness he’s not a copy of me. I will clearly set my boundaries in regard to what I am willing to do.
- Evaluate your commitments. Are you stupendously prepared? Have you invested the time to do the job in an exceptional way, fully utilizing your abilities and talents? ** I get to practice that presentation one more time. Now I know I’m ready!
- Gauge your self-talk. Ensure it is positive and supportive. Do you should on yourself or musterbate? “I should do this.” “I must do that.” These debilitating mental conversations are an attack on your self-fullness. Be proactive rather than reactive. ** I will visit my neighbour this afternoon. I’ll easily finish this article today. Today is a fantastically productive day for me.
Will any or all of these steps work for you?
If you want to be a champion, take ownership of your life and act now – not tomorrow, NOW! You’ll like how it feels.
When you act in ways that allow you to feel really good, you’ll find you can be, do, or have anything you want. It’s the Law of Attraction – and it works.
