I'll do it tomorrow because there's always a tomorrow right? I mean why rush and do it now when I can sit here tomorrow and think about it. Or maybe even leave it for a couple of days...Sound familiar?
But then there's that feeling....that feeling of guilt that maybe I could do it now - it might mean an item crossed off my to do list...mmm, no, I don't think I'm ready to tackle it today... I'll add to to the list for another day...
Well firstly, you're reading this - so perhaps you're intrigued about trying a new perspective for getting things done - where you could feel accomplished, on target and well organised.
What about today?
What tasks or activities have you been involved in this week that you feel confident and competent to undertake without any hesitation? Thought of a few? That's great. Do you feel a sense of purpose and satisfaction for being able to complete these or is it just second nature? I encourage you to explore what drives you to complete these. After all, we find it much easier to complete activities that we enjoy, find easy and where we feel there is benefit and value from accomplishing them.
Consider these questions:
- What are you most proud of achieving in the last week?
- Why does it stand out?
- Does it align with your values and life purpose?
Take a few moments to answer these and really connect with the feelings these bring forth. What can you learn about yourself and your behaviour towards completing the tasks associated with your answers? For example identify where your passion runs free and your determination stems from. Then, lock in these feelings so that you can call upon them whenever you need to. You might find it useful to write down a description of this or virtually place it in a tin that you can access at any time.
Now consider the things you have been putting off. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day right? Pushing today's to do list to tomorrow only delays that feeling of having to complete the task (sometimes even feeling like a chore) you really don't want to do. It's time to ask yourself:
- · Why am I putting it off?
- · Why am I procrastinating?
- · What is it about the task I don't want to face?
- · What purpose does this task serve?
- · Have I signed up to something that I don't really need to complete?
- · What could I let go of?
Inside us all is this strong wiser self who feels bold and able to tackle anything that comes our way. When we connect with this persona it can help us to face the things in life we so often try to out to the back of your minds. Tapping back into the feelings of achievement I asked you to consider earlier on in this blog, how could you bring the stronger, more committed and bolder person to the forefront?
Go on, go back and look at that to-do list again and tackle it from another perspective... How amazing would it feel to get one item crossed off today and not tomorrow?
What you waiting for? Procrastination is just a moment of time so seize the day and make it count.
