Procrastination Blues - Never!

Photo: Sketa Oz

Aristotle stated, " we are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

So many people, including me on occasions, get stuck behind the deeply debilitating disease of procrastination and within that we often say to ourselves - "oh, I can't get started..."  We fear what it might turn out like - that it won't be as good as it should be or we fear what others might think  of us - if we do start.  Then again, secretly, deep down is it actually a fear of success? Not ever having been in that sphere of achievement, can be confronting - How will I handle it?  What will others think?  What will they say? 

We cut ourselves down before we even begin; so afraid of beginning because with have built up all the excuses in the world that our brain starts to believe - we are not good enough - so why should we even try.  There goes another dream to the graveyard to non-believers.  

So how can one actually get started, with all that self doubt, hanging around?  How can we get rid of that noose that kills off so many great ideas?

1. Number one rule is  - recognise that your mouth is your worst enemy - what you spit out of your mouth, eventually becomes reality.   These are the excuses you feed yourself and others as to why you might not start or why it hasn't worked to date.  You educate your brain to believe, this is a great reason not to go any further with the idea - so eventually - you don't.
2. You have to find a real MUST reason, as to why you want to begin and succeed on that particular goal.  Without a solid reason that supports the foundations of your goal - it's like building a house without the concrete slab  - eventually termites and other bugs come to destroy what you work so hard to build.  Your reason has to be rock solid.
3. Finding a way to use accountability as your go to when you start to lose your impetus, is a must.  I have a particular video, I like to watch regularly - when I recognise things aren't where they should be or if I've had a hard day; get side tracked doing things for other people.  Getting side tracked is what your brain is supposed to do.  It protects you and saves precious energy for basic survival.  But you have to find your accountability to spur you on - whether that is a video, a great friend, a loved one or a memory of someone you've lost, can give you the impetus you need, to get back on track.
4. Establishing good habits is something you can't get away from.  You were told it as a child - get into a habit of doing... and it will become second nature and it won't seem like a burden.  You will just do it - just like brushing your teeth.
5. Stop worrying about your competition - let them do what they have to do and you do what you have to do.  Find out about you and what you are trying to achieve. Know your goal back to front - know what you want, how you you are going to get and just do it!  The more time you spend checking out the competition, the less time you have to work on your own goals.  Time is finite.  If you don't do it now, when will you it? 
6. Put three things on your list of things to do, daily - and do the hardest thing first.  "Do that which you are afraid of most"  - get it out of the way, first up in your day.  The longer you leave it, the harder it will seem and the less likely you are to do it.  When you get on top of the hard things, everything else seems easy and you gather confidence along the way.  Before you know it, you are flying towards the horizon of goals achieved.
7. Lastly, never tell yourself - I don't have enough time.  You will always make time for the things you deem important.  If you don't value your goals and dreams enough - they will never become a reality.  It is your responsibility to give birth to their reality, and take as much due care with them, as you would a real baby. 

Wrap them up tight, protect them with all your might and set them free, when the time is right! :) ​

Photo: Sketa Oz Images