Step 0.5 — LET GO.
It never benefits us to procrastinate, yet we all do it. Constantly.
WHY?
Clearly, there’s nothing to gain from holding back on our dreams or helping someone accomplish theirs: whether it’s a job or a friend. Or when avoiding those dreaded adult chores like fun tax stuff.
In fact, the word procrastination itself sends shivers down my spine and reminds me about the 28 projects I should have done already.
Where do I even start?
Another day, wasted. Another day sinking in my pool of regret.
Whether it be hours of procrastination or years, at some point in our lives we’ve felt this heavy burden eating away at the life we thought we could have had.
First off, you are capable of living a life of ease, beauty, adventure, and whatever you truly desire. But there’s one thing stopping you from attaining this.
CONTROL.
Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don’t.― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free
There’s something about the word control that feels innately evil. It follows us wherever we go, and yet disappears in our most vulnerable state.
As if, we were never meant to have it.
Procrastination isn’t about not wanting to go get a task complete. It’s actually quite the opposite.
Most of us want and need projects that we procrastinate on to be completed because we value them greatly! Actually, most of time we value the projects A LOT. Our next album, business, or book. Or that assignment for our class that’ll determine our ENTIRE life. (Just kidding there is no class like this)
Point is, we procrastinate on projects we care about. However, we often act and appear very careless about them leading to the inevitable. procrastinating.
Reality is, procrastinating is much deeper than having the ability to complete a task. It’s actually starting a project with a resistance mindset.
Wtf is a resistance mindset?
Well, what are you normally thinking about when beginning a task?
Is it how do I even start?
Is it I rather do something more interesting or fun?
Whatever it may be, there’s a few mindset shifts that’ll completely change your approach to
… ANY PROJECT.
One as mentioned is
CONTROL.
but what are we trying to control?
Here’s a few common ones:
- The Result.
- Other People’s Reaction.
- Profitability
All of which we have NO control in.
(Sorry)
In fact, why should we have control of the results? Honestly, if the universe left us in charge of specific results we’d probably settle for far less than what we deserve, anyways.
Far less.
So, instead take a breath to realize results will only be determined by the amount of energy, love, and care you pour into it.
Isn’t it funny how sometimes we just have fun and something great starts to happens from it?
Find the fun in the process and the results will shine, naturally.
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all — Helen Keller
What’s next, people’s reaction.
Well, people are funny. At times we react to impress other people. At times we react loudly. At times we react with ease and kindness. At times we don’t react at all.
At the end of the day how we react to the world only tell us more about who we are as people. Not at the task at hand.
In fact, initial reactions are generally incredibly flawed. Being in marketing for years, taught me while studying and observing behavior that people’s initial reactions are bullsh*t and easily persuadable.
All we can ever do is put our heart and soul into the projects that are important to us and people will naturally see and respect the work behind it.
Procrastination is a beast we all face, even as adults.
But controlling ourselves solely will naturally bring a favorable outcome. Simply doing the task and knowing that is completed will create momentum towards our success.
So, go get it done. Do yourself a favor and take care of yourself. It’ll be much better on the other side.
