The secret to moving beyond procrastination
'Overcoming procrastination is not, I repeat, not about cramming additional work into your day … overcoming procrastination is about simplifying your life to make space for the activities that matter most.' Richie Norton, health & wellness author
Do you find yourself trapped in a familiar cycle? You have a clear idea of what you want to achieve or what you need to do, but taking action seems like an insurmountable task. Perhaps you've heard yourself say, 'It's not the right time' or 'I'll do it tomorrow.' If this sounds like you, it's worth considering how this habit affects your self-confidence and the pursuit of your bigger goals.
What strategies have you experimented with to combat this habit?
Let's keep it simple here. We won't delve into the psychology of what holds us back or explore ways to move forward. Instead, we'll focus on the very real costs associated with avoidance and procrastination.
When you put off something that seems difficult in the moment, you might not realize that the consequences of delay can be more challenging to deal with.
Avoidance doesn't just result in failing to achieve the milestones you're striving for. It also brings about those persistent thoughts that accompany us when something remains unresolved, uncertain, or unclear. Unanswered questions and unfinished tasks leave us lacking vital information needed to progress, leaving us stuck.
So, what lies beneath those 'can't,' 'shouldn't,' and 'won't' statements?
What are you telling yourself about the challenges at hand? What evidence supports these beliefs? If your doubts are related to someone else's reaction, remember that you'll never know the answer until you ask.
Have you considered taking a few minutes with a pen and paper to explore these thoughts? Setting aside just 10 minutes to jot down whatever comes to mind can help free up mental space and provide new insights. It's like doing a brain dump on paper, and you might be surprised at what you uncover.
Now, let's think about your realistic options and choices. What will happen if you continue down the same path or do nothing at all? The cost of avoidance acts like compound interest, exponentially growing the discomfort you were trying to evade in the first place.
Breaking free from the cycle of avoidance is crucial for your personal growth and achieving your goals. By understanding the costs of procrastination and confronting the underlying beliefs that fuel it, you can make significant progress in your journey towards success.
'The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.' Mark Twain