I am a procrastinator. I said this all the time and freely used it as an excuse to myself for why only eight out of 15 tasks on my daily To Do lists got done. I procrastinate - it was my mantra. I owned it totally. It was me. And I felt bad about undone tasks. I felt like an underachiever.
Then one day, I started to think....why am I a procrastinator? Was the root the traditional reasons experts give (you know - fear, lack of focus, task so big you don't know where to begin so you don't, poor time management skills, TV)? But, I had tried the experts' traditional fixes for these, but they didn't work for long. So was the root something else?
"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)
"Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV)
I have a good friend named Lynne. Every time she begins to do something, especially something new, she smiles a huge smile and says, "I can do this!" And she gets it done. She is awesome and such an inspiration. Hmmm.....
Could it be my thinking? Had I said "I am a procrastinator" so much I was "eating its fruit"? I started to realize that procrastination is a conscious act. It was a decision. I decided to change my thinking. Instead of thinking, "I am a procrastinator," I began thinking, "I do not procrastinate. I can do this now!" I also began saying it out loud. And I also stop focusing on how many things on my daily To Do list didn't get done and started focusing on the things I did.
Am I perfect now? No. But I get more done now without unreasonable delays. In my planner, I now track and focus on my daily accomplishments. If I don't accomplish a task on the day I planned, I write it down to do the next day and it gets done. I face the challenge everyday to do a task now, but I can do this - I do not procrastinate!
Question for Comment: How do you deal with procrastination?
Question for Comment: How do you deal with procrastination?
Hi Sharman, thanks for letting me/us into your world. I was reading your blog about procrastination today and my next book title and purpose for the book came to me! The book is actually for one person, my husband - whomever that may be. I made a note of my thoughts so I would not forget. Actually, maybe it will just be a poem that I will give him after we get married.
ReplyDeleteI don't procrastinate any more either. I just choose not to do what I'm supposed to be doing when I'm supposed to do it at times. Words have power, so like you I stopped saying I was a procrastinator. I work from a list and like you I move things to the next day when they aren't complete. Some have even moved to the next month (got to be realistic about the lists I make)
Secondly, I read "the jokes on me" - I can relate to the part about the height. I fit into that category, too. A few years ago I started wearing 3 inch heels. A few people asked me why I was wearing heels because I was already tall. I told them, because I liked the shoes and they matched my outfit. Confidence, definitely! Most men I date are my height or shorter. I had to get comfortable with that. My preference is a taller guy; however, I will not pass my blessing by waiting for someone tall who doesn't have the sense to see me for the queen and lifemate I am.
Psalm 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
I just want to say thank you for sharing again and to let you know how much your openness is helping me.
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