#3. I'll do it tomorrow
Yep. We have all said it a time or two. Without a doubt tomorrow becomes next week and next week becomes next month and so on.
Procrastination is a lie that causes us to believe that avoiding something is somehow more beneficial than actually doing it. Procrastination is deadly when it becomes a lifestyle. Yet we've all done it. Some of us more than others.
There are many reasons we procrastinate. However, procrastination usually occurs when people fear, dread or have anxiety about a task or change. To suppress the negative feeling we eat, play video games, surf the internet, cook, etc. We do anything other than the uncomfortable task. These distracting activities may make us feel better for the moment. BUT reality still exists and there is a task that needs to be completed.
This is exactly what happens when we think of stepping out of our comfort zone. We experience the fear of what people will think or the dread of possible failure or the anxiety of trying something new. Accordingly, we retreat back into behaviors, habits and patterns that make us feel safe and secure. Here are a few tips to help us get over procrastination.
- Go slow
We've all heard the saying "Rome wasn't built in a day". But Rome was built one second, one minute and one hour at a time. Understand that habit and behavior change is a process and it will take time — sometimes years — to master. Let's think of it this way. Rome is simply the result of the new habit or behavior developed during the process of building. Focusing on your developing habits and behaviors is more important than worrying about your outcomes. And while it is imperative to keep perspective of goals and dreams, I think it’s better to remember that there is growth in process. Embrace the process and appreciate the growth.
- Break it up into small chunks
Instead of looking at a large seemingly impossible challenge or goal. Break it up into more manageable pieces. For example, let's consider that we have set a goal to eat more fruits and vegetables. For some of use who do not enjoy fruits and vegetables this could seem unpleasant and dreadful. But if we think of it in smaller chunks it doesn't seem so bad. First we would consider how much fruit and vegetables we are currently consuming and from there decide how much more fruit and vegetables we want to consume. Second we would start with just one meal a day for one week adding an additional fruit or vegetable. Well that's not too daunting. Then the next week make it two meals and the third week make it three meals. In less than one month you've increased your fruit and vegetable intake during each meal.
- Tell someone
There are varying views on wether you should or shouldn't share your goals. I, obviously, believe there is great benefits in sharing. I believe it gives the person setting the goal accountability. Let's face it, if we could complete a task that gives us anxiety alone we wouldn't have any problems with procrastination. Telling a supportive friend or family member means that you have someone checking in on you to make sure that you are actually doing what you said you would do.
Many years ago I joined Weight Watchers and I did not tell anyone. Only my husband knew for obvious reasons. When I finally shared with a friend, I immediately felt a since of responsibility because I knew when I saw that friend again she would without a doubt ask me, "How is Weight Watchers going?"
The bottom line is that tomorrow is not promised to anyone. Do not put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
