Jan 10
30
Things in perspective
We are all guilty of procrastinating at some stage in our attempts to achieve our goals. In his book “Eat that frog“, Brian Tracy uses an old metaphor to help people overcome their procrastination. The metaphor says, if the first thing you do in the morning is to eat a live frog, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that it’s probably the worst thing you’ll do all day.
Eat That Frog!: Get More of the Important Things Done, Today!
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A strategy for achieving your goals
Emotions
There is, of course, the use of goal setting as a solution to overcoming procrastination. Is goal setting really the answer or are there a number of other underlying reasons why we fail to move forward with our intended actions. There is certainly an element of self sabotage brought about by a fear. A fear, that isn’t necessarily a fear of failure; there is also a fear of success and being able to cope with it.
When you first set your goal or decide which direction you are to travel; you’ll more than likely be filled with excitement. However, over time that excitement diminishes, why is this? What has happened to drain all that energy filled excitement away? Perhaps a change in your emotions. If that’s the case, what’s the reason for the change? In many cases, security takes over the excitement of a new task and you decide to stay in your comfort zone. Looking back to the time when you first set the goal, what was it that drove your desire or need for the change? Looking back, would it have been easier to maintain an interest in your current situation?
Displacement activities
At its highest point, or lowest depending on where you’re looking at it from, it would appear you are trying to get away with the least effort for maximum output. What are the excuses you use for not carrying through with your goal? You’ll probably find yourself using a range of displacement activities; the activities that you use to take yourself away from achieving the goal you’re procrastinating from. You may even dislike these displacement activities more than the task you are procrastinating about.
Think back to when you first set your goal and how you were filled with all the enthusiasm you could ever wish for. Then, for what appears to be no reason at all and in many cases without warning, we are suddenly full of excuses, for not working towards your goal. Your actions all become very ‘last minute’ behaviour.
Language
The language you use when setting your goals is often the route of the problem. Misappropriated language can create a misunderstanding, eventually leading to a misinterpretation of the goal and the eventual outcome looking nothing like what was expected or just not being achieved.
Motivation
Is the lack of motivation to blame for the procrastination? Where does the motivation come from? All motivation is self motivation regardless of where you think it’s come from. Yes, I know there are motivational speakers and there’s music, pictures and paintings that all help with your motivation. These only make you feel good.
Values
Have you ever given consideration to your values? Many people claim they have, but have they addressed their hierarchy of values. The majority of people accept we have values and claim to be following them, they probably are. However, if a value is at the lower end of this hierarchy, then it receives less attention than one higher up the list. For instance, if you have a value of money and you never seem to have any money you’ll be wondering why. If your value for spending money is higher up the list than saving money then you’re not likely to have a great deal of savings.
What about that end result, how important is it? Considering you are continually learning everyday from all your experiences, surely your journey has as much value as the end result! How often do you concentrate more on the end result, than the journey itself? The following quote says it all.
“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” Greg Anderson
A little fore thought and careful planning will help to ensure you achieve the success you are seeking. Planning entails implementing a number of straight forward steps and the consideration of a number of simple procedures. These procedures usually have a number of elements to drive them forward; what are the drivers for achieving your success. Consider how much your goal is affected by each of the following:
- The newness of your goal
- The difference between, what you’ve got and what you want
- How much your goal challenges you; is it pain or pleasure?
- Are you releasing bad energy?
- What is your level of satisfaction?
- Are you achieving closure?
If the above are some of your drivers, what causes the dreaded drop in energy levels?
How much does each of the following affect your attitude or change in progress? Which of them comes before the other? In other words which is the chicken and which is the egg? Please add your comments below.
- Is the language you are using positive or negative?
- What are your displacement activities?
- What are the emotions you are experiencing?
- Where is your motivation coming from?
- Have you addressed your hierarchy of values?
Thank you for reading this post, please let me know what you think and share your experiences. While you’re here please take the time to sign up for the newsletter or alternatively you may prefer to subscribe for regular updates in your favourite reader or by email.
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View Comments "Things in perspective"
Hi Paul,
Man this ties in with my latest post, you are absolutely right, I'm positive in the wat I write and communicate, but it's only my past that makes me thankfull for what I have.
Great work here
Thanks for your comment. Placing things into perspective is so important in our lives and dealing with past, present and future are crucial to helping that work.
I really liked this article, Paul.
You have outlined some great steps in taking to overcome procrastination. I always think about the analysis paralysis stage – there is so much information that sometimes you are stuck in the analysis phase (which can micmic procrastination). Sometimes you just have to say Just Do It, and make the decision or take the next step that will get your momentum moving again. I also think that if we change our thoughts towards what we are procrastinating against and realize that we have a choice whether to do the task or not, it can break the procrastination habit. Changing your mindset towards the task is important in this case.
Karen
Karen,
Thanks for your comment.
I love the phrase, “analysis paralysis”; it really sums up the procrastination situation. Stuck in a position of studying the situation provides no help to progress. As you say sometimes it's a case of saying, 'just do it'.
Regards
Paul