Newsletter 7, Sept 2008: Procrastination Is A 4-Letter Word
When there is a hill to climb, don't think that waiting will make it smaller
The children are back at school, the holidays are over, what else can prevent you from getting started on those things that need to get done? It's time to get on and do those things we have been putting off until 'one day' - did you know that 'one day' isn't on the calendar!
For all of us procrastinators - and at least 95% of us procrastinate occasionally - it's time to kill procrastination before it kills us.
Procrastination is not always a bad thing - instead of reacting immediately to every situation and action point, it gives you a 'safety zone' of time to let things settle and analyse decisions. But it also stops you getting on with life, fulfilling your true potential and performing at your best to get the results you deserve in every area of your life.
Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried
How many opportunities have you let slip through your fingers because you didn't act on them?
What could you have done that would have significantly improved your life, but you didn't quite get around to it?
Procrastination is a 4-letter word: FEAR
Fear of starting, afraid of keeping going, terrified of finishing, the fear of failure or the fear of success. Whether that fear is real or imagined - the mind doesn't know the difference - it stops us in our tracks. So what can we do?
The first thing is to identify what it is you are procrastinating about. Then in one list identify why you want to do whatever it is, and a second list identify why you don't do it. This will help identify where the fear is. Is it in starting? Knowing where to begin? Ability to do it? The actual result? Consequences of achieving it (or not)?
If this doesn't give you an answer then think about whether what you are procrastinating about is something you really want to do - or is it someone else's agenda?
Assuming it's something you want to do, identify one small action that would start moving you forward and break the inertia. The first step can be the hardest and once started it gathers momentum and becomes a lot easier.
Think about the outcome you want, and identify how you will feel once it's achieved. What will be the benefit to you and why is that important? This should give you the inspiration to start.
The physical sensations of fear and excitement are virtually identical, but excitement gives you energy and fear holds you in place. So if the feelings are the same, choose excitement and move forward in a positive frame of mind.
If you would like some further insight into how you can kill your procrastination then please break the inertia and contact me. Remember your first session is free so you really have nothing to lose.
Many thanks goes to AnnA Rushton for the inspiration for this newsletter. I met AnnA on holiday recently and she gave such insightful talks. To find out more, please go to her website at www.procrastinationkiller.co.uk
