
Jan 21 Tip: Here's sunshine for the "Procrastinators"
I'm guilty of being the biggest procrastinator ever...well, probably not the biggest. My high school yearbook said, "I would always be good at what I did." Well, I was good at being a procrastinator.
Then one day, after a workshop, I was in Seattle at a company giving a journaling workshop to executives, I was riding an airport shuttle bus that broke down on the side of the road. While we were waiting for a replacement, and praying that we don't miss our planes, I made a conscious decision that I was tired of being a procrastinator.
Somewhere during mid-flight, a gentleman and I were talking and I mentioned my decision. At that time, I had no idea of why I mentioned this out of the blue to this gentleman, but I did. I later learned, "because he was the one with the answer." Boy, I sure love it when the universal energies work this way. Don't you?
He asked me, "Why don't you combine what you teach -- journaling -- with what I want to harness?"
Great question...but I do love a challenge.
Well, to cut the story short...I had the answer by the time we landed. Either keep a "procrastination or excuse" journal, or to add it as an exercise in my regular journal whenever I was procrastinating.
Since I didn't want to start another journal, I choose the latter, and began...
Every time I didn't want to do something, I wrote a list of all the reasons of why I didn't want to do it (whatever it was).
At the beginning it was awful. The list was long and I did it quite frequently. I used it for everything from job to household cores (I hated making my bed) to cleaning out the car.
Surprise...
The lists got shorter, and shorter, and then all of a sudden I began making my bed immediately without any hesitation. I took out the trash without any hesitation. In fact, I felt uncomfortable when it was full.
This isn't to say that all my procrastination efforts are gone...but the major of them are. And I use this exercise whenever I struggle with doing something that seems overwhelming or hard too now.
It's amazing how much I'm able to get done now. Now, that I've used my best friend -- my journal -- to support me during this challenge. I'm sure you will find this a great help in helping you as well. That is, once you stop procrastinating the start (chuckle).
(c) Copyright 2002, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.
No permission is granted for permission to print.
Let me tell you about...
This tip is an expanded version of Tip #15 in my booklet: 51 Journaling Topics & Tips. If you would like to purchase is rather inexpensive packed how-to tips booklet, visit the Abundance Center's store...
http://www.abundancecenter.com/Store/main.htm
When you get there you will find two books available. You can purchase in electronic form or printed form. By several sets and receive a discount. They make wonderful "I just thought of you" or quick "thank you gifts" for your friends, family, and colleagues.
Recent Comments