Ahh, procrastination. We all do it from time to time and then usually beat ourselves up about it. But WHY?
Why do we procrastinate? And then why do we proceed to beat ourselves up about it?
Kinda crazy, huh?
I’ve come to a few conclusions about this…
One is that we procrastinate for a few reasons: we don’t really want to do it or we are afraid for some reason (whether it’s of what the outcome might bring, or if we stop doing what we’re doing in the moment we may miss out on something, or maybe we’re afraid that it will be the wrong decision), and other reasons that I may not even think of right now.
I’ll tell you this.. when you procrastinate, you’re not doing it because you’re lazy. You’re not doing it because you have no self-control. It simply doesn’t work that way.
Truth is most of us will do something we don’t really want to do if there is a perceived value in getting it done. So, I may wash the dishes even when I don’t really want to because I want the space to be clean. A clean space is the value to me (for various reasons).
On the other hand- if you don’t think it’s worth it or you don’t care about the consequences of not doing it, then you’ll not do it. You’ll procrastinate.
Here’s a journaling practice to help you stop procrastinating…
Notice when you procrastinate and ask yourself some questions…
Why do I not want to do this right now? Or why am I putting this off?
Is there something I am afraid of if I do this?
– Am I afraid that if/ when I get this done that I may not like the outcome?
– Am I afraid that I’m just not able to do what it is I’m putting off?
– Am I thinking I’m going to miss out on something if I stop and do that thing right now?
– Am I simply afraid that I’m making or going to make a wrong decision?
If you feel the task is lacking value, consider why it may actually be valuable…
Example: When you’re a kid, your mom tells you to clean your room but you don’t want to. You don’t really see what the point is. Here is a possible value- to make your mom feel good. If you clean your room when she asks you to, you could look at it as a way of saying “thank you” to her for all the things she does for you.
If you are unable to find value in the task, then, why are you requiring yourself to do it?
-Did someone ask you to and you agreed but didn’t really want to do it? Or maybe you’ve changed your mind?
-Do you feel there is an underlying obligation for you to do it (this is expected of you as a “sister/ brother/ daughter/ son/ mother/ father/ employee/ the one with the financial means, etc”)?
I hope you find this insightful. And if you like self-awareness practices like this make sure to sign up for my email. I send weekly practices straight to your inbox, with love.
Wishing you so many blessings!