In what aspects of your life are you given to procrastination? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“Step one is to start at step one.”
“No one wants to be the skydiver who pulled the rip cord too late.”
“Life lived for tomorrow will always be just a day away from being realized.”
Image from Unsplash by Dayne Topkin
Although I tend to avoid absolutes in statements like today’s quote, I do believe Lincoln was on to something with this one.
Consider all the times when you put off and procrastinate on the big and small matters in your life.
How often do you feel the nagging sensation of regret and self-criticism associated with such delays?
Alternatively, how do you feel when you go the extra mile and put a cherry on the top of your day by exceeding your and others’ expectations?
Going to bed with an extra gold star or happy face always feels great!
EXERCISE:
What can and will you do today that you would normally put off until tomorrow?
How will you reward yourself for this extra effort?
Image from Unsplash by nit niu
When we think of the word “collar” most of us think of the piece of clothing around our necks. In Young’s day, it was often used as a term to apprehend or arrest a criminal.
If you watch police shows on TV, the term often points to the success rate of bringing in the bad guys and taking them off the streets to pay for their crimes.
Procrastination is indeed a thief.
What has it stolen from you over the years?
How is it picking your pockets these days?
EXERCISE:
What strategies can and will you use to collar procrastination and free yourself of its choke-hold on your life?
Image from Unsplash by Jason Strull
How familiar are you with the concept of BE, DO, HAVE?
One way to describe this idea might sound like: in order to HAVE the life you desire you must DO the things that are consistent with your vision, values and BEINGNESS.
Other examples of this could be wanting to be healthy and fit without the proper nutrition, exercise, and rest, or wanting to move up in your career without doing the hard work to earn your advancement.
Where are you procrastinating and still thinking about what you most want in your life? What must you begin doing today to not have this habit become your undoing?
Image from Unsplash by Ethan Elisara
Following a two-year career as a middle school science teacher in Philadelphia, I secured a job as a pharmaceutical sales representative with the Upjohn Company.
That’s right — in the early 80s I was a legal drug dealer, promoting Motrin for pain and arthritic conditions to physicians, over other meds available at the time.
My training was rigorous, with an initial one-month stint in chilly Kalamazoo, Michigan in January. The company — which is now part of Pfizer — was about a century old at the time and took great pride in preparing over 1,000 sales reps to be among the best in the industry.
Once our book learning was complete, we were sent out to work with our district managers, to get field experience meeting with real doctors, intending to influence them to prescribe our magic orange tablets.
In the beginning, my manager did most of the work, describing features and benefits of our medications over those of our competitors. Following a few such interactions, my manager, Stan Ershler, informed me that he had to leave. I indicated that I would head right home to continue my studies. He said, Absolutely not! Go out and find some more physicians to talk to — see what happens! I definitely could have used a pill for panic attacks at that time!
With great patience and a bit of tough love, I was out the door, diving in the deep end in my new career.
Where are you hesitating or procrastinating on taking action because you feel you need to learn more?
In what situation is taking action and getting in the game likely to be your best teacher?
Image from Unsplash by Kamil Pietrzak
Where has procrastination, putting things off, or just a hint of hesitation resulted in your experiencing negative consequences? Perhaps you have missed an important professional or personal opportunity?
Although delays and inaction rarely have life-threatening impact, they can chip away at our overall success, fulfillment, and life satisfaction.
Alternatively, where has acting too quickly or jumping the gun resulted in false starts, penalties, or disqualifications from important events in your life?
What value could having a far better grasp on your personal and professional timing have on your future?
Consider picking up a copy of Dan Pink’s book, When – The Scientific Secrets of Perfect to Timing – to glean a few nuggets of wisdom on this important life skill.
In what aspects of your life are you given to procrastination? Here are a few procrastination-related posts you may have missed.
“Life lived for tomorrow will always be just a day away from being realized.”
“Never put off for tomorrow what you can cancel.”
“Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.”
Image from Unsplash by Pawel Janiak
Today’s quote, and the related statement, “Just Do It,” helped make Phil Knight (CEO of Nike) one of the wealthiest people in the world, with an estimated net worth of 34.7 billion.
I am sure you are thinking there were many, many steps on his and Nike’s journey to success, but it all started with that first step. From there, it was on to the second and third… and the wonders of momentum.
It is a fact that something in motion will stay in motion unless acted upon by an external force.
How often do you stop yourself before you even begin?
On what priority project are you procrastinating, or stopped in your tracks?
What one step will you take to begin the journey to realize what you desire?
Consider sharing this goal or objective with a friend, family member, mentor, or even reply to this post to let me know what you intend, and for added social support.
Image from Amazon
Someday is not a Day in the Week: 10 Hacks to Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life, is Sam Horn’s newest book.
Sam is one of the reasons my book, The Quotable Coach – Daily Nuggets of Practical Wisdom, became a reality.
In 2013, I had the opportunity to spend two full days in her home, along with a dozen other lucky – or shall I say, committed – individuals who wanted to launch special projects and not wait for “someday.”
Her many personal stories and experiences fully demonstrate, and will inspire you to seize each day as precious moments not to be missed.
Consider watching Sam’s TEDx South Lake Tahoe talk. What one dream have you been putting off for “someday” that you will act upon today?
Image from diamondresortsmembers.com
Time management is perhaps the most universal issue facing the majority of clients seeking the support of a coach.
Who hasn’t read books and blogs, or attended at least a few workshops or seminars on time management?
The proverbial “to do list” has killed more trees, or now takes up a good deal of our hard drives, with no end in sight! Unfortunately, the more we add to these lists the “behinder” many of us feel.
Today is the day I’d like you to take out your red pens and scissors, or use your backspace and delete keys to literally cancel things from your list. This powerful act of saying “NO” once and for all to certain tasks will be challenging at first. This is due to our habit of dragging the weight of the world around. Select and cancel at least one task, meeting, or other commitment each day this week. Eventually you will get to the point where many items never make it to your list in the first place.