The Antidote to Procrastination
Procrastination Kills Productivity
No surprise there!
I’ve done my own survey and asked people why they don’t do what they say they want to do. I was surprised that the #1 answer was…………
I DON’T HAVE TIME!
Okay, maybe I wasn’t all that surprised because that’s my #1 answer, too! This has been my excuse and I was able to point to my schedule to prove to myself (and everyone else) why it was true. I just didn’t think it would be such a common excuse. The funny thing is (and it’s not really funny at all), I always find the time for things that are important to me. Or that inspire me.
My ‘lack of time’ excuse is generally related to starting something new. Or continuing something old that just doesn’t light me up anymore.
Here’s a sample of the things I want to start or complete but don’t seem to find the time:
- Writing my book, “Flirting With Life” which will be a daily guide and based on the Friday emails I’ve sent out over a period of 8 years
- Finishing two coaching programs I've paid for (needless to mention I paid a lot of money for these)
- Listing a number of collector items and some Kate Spade purses I have on eBay
- Learning the circular breathing technique on the didgeridoo
- Learning to play the guitar, learning to speak Italian and French
- Organizing all of my class material and downsizing where needed
And this is just a partial list. Part of the problem is that these are just ‘to-do’s’ at the moment.
And while I love to check off things from a checklist, I don’t seem to get to these big ticket check boxes. So, these stay in the realm of unfinished business and take up mental energy. Can you spell p.r.o.c.r.a.s.t.i.n.a.t.i.o.n?
And nothing kills dreams, productivity, or self-esteem as fast as procrastination.
What about you? What promises do you break to yourself? What have you been putting off but can’t quite bring yourself to take off of your list? When do you give the excuse that there isn’t enough time?
Here is ONE BIG thing that will boost your energy and help you eliminate the dragon of procrastination. Are you ready?
……Stop Complaining
What? Surely that can’t be my number one tip! What’s up with that?
Complaining takes up a lot of energy AND it keeps our challenges, frustrations, and problems in the forefront of our mind. We invite others to complain with us and agree with us. And complaining depletes our energy.
When we stop complaining, we actually start to take responsibility. And when we take responsibility, we aren’t a victim of time or talent or money (or anything else for that matter) and we get to choose what we want to do. There is a different energy to the feeling of ‘choosing’ to do something instead of ‘having’ to do something.
Try it now. Get into the feeling of ‘choosing to’ instead of ‘having to’. It’s like the difference between joy and drudgery. If we have two choices and one is joyful and uplifting and the other is dreadful and depleting, which one are you going to do?
And joy leads to momentum, which is the antidote to procrastination.
Complaining keeps our mind in the basement where life is a challenge to get through and where fulfillment is some far away desire.
CALL TO ACTION: For the next 24 – 48 hours
- Avoid complaining. If you find yourself frustrated, unhappy, challenged, or complaining, keep it to yourself (you can do anything for two days, right?)
- Pay attention to your language. Replace the phrase “I have to” or “I need to” with “I choose to” or “I get to”
Let’s face it, when you start to discover what you are capable of, when you notice momentum flowing, something wonderful and magical happens. You know it because you’ve been there before.
You feel empowered and inspired. You feel unstoppable. You feel passionate and powerful. Don’t let procrastination spoil those feelings.
Say 'YES' to yourself by moving toward joy and momentum!
About Janet
Janet is a transformational coach who helps women move beyond the negative voices in their head so they can unleash their purpose, unmask their self-confidence, and uncover possibilities that they have been blind to. Bottom line: she helps them to stop settling, start experiencing the magic of their dreams again, and live their aligned life.
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