I’ve been putting off writing this article on procrastination for some time!
It was easy to put off because I had so many great reasons:
I’m tired.
I have to work 6 days a week.
I have to watch DVDs from the library quickly because people are waiting for them.
I have to check Candy Crush every day or I lose spins for free stuff.
I need to keep informed so I scroll through news feeds on my phone for hours.
Clean my place when I have a term paper to write.
Or I need to go someplace, any place, so I don’t have to face what I know I need to do!
It’s so easy to stay with a job that’s well below my skill set, date people who don’t have my best interests at heart, refuse help or gifts from others without the need to give them something back in return, or make light of compliments or my talents.
I have been working six days a week for years. I keep telling myself that I don’t want to do it anymore but year after year, I do little to change that. Working six days a week at two part-time jobs with no benefits was safer, and easier, than pushing myself to work one 40-hour job or start my own business.
It’s scary to put myself out there and it’s my fear that keeps me in this “What if” loop. What if I fail? What if no one likes me? What if I freeze? What if … What if…. What if……
So, let’s play this out. What is the worst thing that could happen to me? Maybe I won’t get the job that I applied for. Maybe I won’t get any new business on my website. Maybe the guy I like doesn’t like me back? Maybe I could freeze and would have to apologize and give a client their money back.
So why am I so caught up in these fears? I have tons of evidence that people respect and admire me. Why do I doubt them? Why do I make light of their compliments when I also feel devastated when I don’t get their approval?
I love the quote by Marianne Williamson: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that others won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do… It’s not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
I have learned that when I procrastinate, it’s usually because there is a belief that is getting in my way. While it may be “easier” not putting myself out there in the short run, it certainly isn’t helping me long term. It also hasn’t helped my growth, finances, relationships, or sanity.
When I started looking at my reasons for procrastinating, it all boiled down to fear. Looking at fear requires courage and a willingness to see things differently. Doing meditations, journaling, and asking a good friend or a counselor are all great ways to find your belief systems or notice patterns that you struggle with or are more deep-seated. When I look at fear head-on, I have discovered an old belief or pattern that is no longer serving me. When I look at the “why” with curiosity, rather than judgment, it’s easier to see why I created that belief, and it allows me to look at it rationally to either eliminate it or change it. Sometimes the Universe reminds us that we need to change our relationships, jobs, or our living situation because we’ve outgrown them or in my case, settled for crumbs. Now I can see the gift in procrastination. It’s the Universe’s way of telling me, “It’s time to grow now. We have something better in mind for you.”
So where are you procrastinating? What are you missing out on because you won’t turn around and face your fear, instead of running from it?
I would love it if you would share your comments and experiences below with others about things that have worked for you, be supportive of others who are brave enough to share their personal experiences and cheer each other on.
Until next time…
Leanne Psychic Medium
Comments