I don’t get frustrated too often. As a rule I consider it to be a bad investment of my emotional energy. However, there is one thing that brings me close to that emotion; watching talented, intelligent, gorgeous, capable people perpetually wasting their time, their opportunities, their gifts and a good chunk of their life through procrastination. Always thinking, talking and planning but never actually doing. They seem to spend their life in a holding pattern. I wish I could magically harness their potential to an amazing attitude, a great work ethic and some fierce determination. Then we would see some big results. Of course that ain’t gonna happen so what we often end up with is talented, intelligent, gorgeous, under-achievers who live a life controlled largely by fear. Fear of failure. Fear of pain. Fear of being embarrassed. Fear of commitment. Fear of rejection. All kinds of fear. Even the fear of success. Yep, it happens.
Excuses or Reasons?
We human beings are pretty good at putting things off aren’t we? Let’s be honest, some of us are simply spectacular at it. Including me at times over my journey. If I really want to, I can find new and creative ways to put something off for years. And you should hear some of my excuses; they sound very legitimate, reasonable and logical. By the way, that’s the trick with making excuses; you need to be able to sell them to those in your world, otherwise you’ll be exposed for the procrastinating talent-waster that you are. And of course we don’t label them as excuses, we call them reasons. “I don’t make excuses, I give logical reasons.”
Sure you do Pinocchio.
Avoidance Syndrome
Some of us are procrastinating about certain things right now. Not you of course, but perhaps someone you know. Very well. If there’s a way to not do something that really needs to be done, most of us will find it. Big things. Small things. Domestic things. Medical things. Financial things. Family things. Relationship things. General health things. Destructive habit things. Fitness things. Career things. Yep, some of us have PhD’s in procrastination. We are Masters at almost doing stuff and world champions at rationalising, justifying and explaining what we’re not doing and why; it’s a time thing, a financial thing, a resources thing, a logistics things, a gut-feel thing.
Crap.
Analysis Paralysis
More likely, it’s a fear thing. A laziness thing. An apathy thing. An attitude thing. A you thing. A me thing. We are all success stories in waiting but sadly, some of us will simply wait too long. We over-analyse and under do; death by Analysis Paralysis. Some of us will never tap into, or explore our potential, and some of us will die waiting. Literally. If only the mystical, mythical, magical ‘right time’ actually existed. For the most part, the right time excuse is a convenient fairy tale used by people who aren’t ready to take charge of their life. Success or failure is never about time, it’s always about us.
If not Now, When?
So what will it take for you to actually address that thing (those things), once and for all? How much longer will you need before you’re ready? Ten days? Ten months? Ten years? And how many of my articles will you need to read before you’re ready to turn some of this theory into reality? Perhaps you just need to think about it some more. Or perhaps not. What will it take for you to make a brave decision, take a chance, get uncomfortable, use what you’ve been given, explore and develop your potential, to stop waiting and to consciously, consistently, passionately and diligently create your best life? When will you step out of the shadows of others and become the person that you know you want to become? When will your ‘soon’ become now?
Have I pushed a button yet?
A Cosmic Sign?
What will it take for you to stop thinking and start doing? Some kind of cosmic sign? A dream? An angel at your window perhaps? A lightning bolt? What about a health scare? They’re always good to get us moving. For a while. Maybe some type of serendipitous event or circumstance will do it? Perhaps a shift in your consciousness or an increase in your awareness is what you need? Or maybe you need something less spiritual and philosophical… like a kick in the ass or a smack in the head? Often works for me.
By the Way…
Everything you need to create amazing outcomes in your world, you already have. Do you have a brain? Can you make better choices? Can you do different things? Can you react differently? Can you learn new things? Can you make mistakes without dying? Can you apologise? Can you be humble? Can you take a chance? Can you confront your fears? Can you embrace new behaviours? Can you develop new skills? Can you find your own truth instead of becoming a clone of someone else? Can you tap into your untapped potential? Can you achieve more in the next year than you have in the last ten? Can you stop over-thinking and under-doing?
Then why don’t you?
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{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Craig,
Well I don’t (much!) procrastinate! (ok so I do lol)
I have been working on an exercise plan which I finalised (I think) today all ready to start properly tomorrow(which I know happens to be Monday…coincidence really!) I have been fine tuning it to be effective…hope it will be lol
I have been going up and down with the weight loss so it is time I got really serious and got on with it. Now with daylight saving I can get out at night and walk as I don’t have a lot of opportunity during the day unfortunately.
So no more procrastination for me. Well not with this anyway!!! (oops sorry NO more at all!)
Thanks craig…for the whack around the head again…I needed that!
Hugs
Michelle x
DAMN YOU CRAIG! I have until the end of the month to decide if I want to apply to do a TAFE course. Never mind that I haven’t studied in 20 years (and wasn’t that crash hot at it then) but I have had enough years of treading water. I have had the application forms for weeks and haven’t even looked at them.
Do I want to do the course? Yes. Am I scared? HELL YES.
TAFE here I come!!!!
Thanks for the kick (but I would have got there anyway) lol
Love Joanne.
Excellent article! Your articles (the swift kick in the back side kind) are such a help. Thanks for stripping away our excuses.
Kristi Holl
Writer’s First Aid blog
Dear Craig,
I am still up hear on the sunny Sunshine Coast. The conference is over. We had an array of fabulous speakers, commencing with Barry Bull. I'm guessing that you on the 'motivational speaker circuit' may know of him. There was so much more – we had over 60 delegates drumming during a session – (what a great sound) – and others offereing better ideas.
Well, I fly out this afternoon, but I'm biting at the bit to get back into things. It was good to stay a couple of days after the conference, to get ideas down on paper…to set the wheels in motion….so there will be NO procrastination when I get home! No Way! I love the old Nike motto "Just DO IT!" (or is it still the same?)
The mornings are so bright up here. It has been a little easier to get out of bed & head for a long walk along the beach. Have just realised it is daylight savings at home. Like Michelle, there is not excuse for getting outdoors & moving about a bit is there?
"JUST DO IT!"
Have a fabulous day!
Kathryn
Heya Craig,
Must be Spring! This time last year we were doing the GYST Challenge. I reckon this post is leading up to another one, waddayareckon?
I’m going to make a list of all the things I’m procrastinating about… (I’ll do it first thing tomorrow)
Then nail them one by one.
Cheers,
Gb
Pushed the button? You have superglued it on…..LOL.
Michelle TAS
I have a dream to be in the Olympics 2016! I am going to explore my potential and do everything I can to succeed, I am very excited about the possibilities
My business etc is under control so this is my new dream, bring it onnnnnnn!!!
-EggCarton
You’re welcome Michelle x
Hi Joanne – get studying Baby..
( )
You’re welcome Kristi – ( )
Good to hear Kathryn…
( )
Thank you for the article on procrastination. It’s always nice to read an article that encapsulates your entire way of life so potently that it literally gives you a heartache
Hi Gb… another GYST challenge…
Hmmm.
I’ll consider it
( )
Hi Eggcarton – that’s a cool goal.
Get busy Olympian… ( )
Help: where can I hide? That was so in-your-face, Craig! It sure pushed a real sensitive button. I have been putting off my final 6 uni essays since Day 1 of semester. Seriously, if I don’t pull my finger out TODAY, I’m going to fail everything. I’m so behind, and so stressed that it has paralysed me and stopped me from STARTING.
My weight/fitness goals are another onging thing I procrastinate over and/or am so inconsistent with it isn’t funny. Or I can’t get the diet AND training thing happening simultaneously. It’s either one or the other, rarely both. I will train my butt off and then buy chocolate on the way home. WHY? Don’t ask. I don’t know why. Or I would eat well but don’t back it up with any training.
I have recognised bits of my holding pattern. I seem to be controlled by stress- which often is my own creation. Stress from PUTTING THINGS OFF FOR TOO LONG.
You really have a way of cutting through to my head, Craig. I can’t wait till RYL in Syd. *By the way, I’m not booked in yet! I will in a minute! I’ve had a busy weekend. I did the Gold Coast Sprintman Triathlon yesterday. 1km swim, 33 km bike, 7 km run. I had two simple goals: to finish and to have fun. Both were achieved. It didn’t matter at all that I came placed 21st out of 22 in in my age group, or that I was the 6th last overall sprintman finisher. I had my own agenda and I stuck to it. I proved to myself I can do it. Not just ‘think’ about it and ‘talk’ about it, but ‘do’ it.
No more burrying head in the sand. You shouldn’t need a wake up call or scare. The time is NOW. Who knows if tomorrow will ever come.
Thanks Craig.
Jules
Hi Craig
Checked my cerial after your blog last week,thought I was buying a good heathy one–over 30% sugar!!!!
Also checked out a drink I have at golf Vitamim Water “sounds healthy” There again about 30% sugar.I am now a lot more aware, reading a lot more Nutritional information labels on the packs.
One cerial had on its packet 5% sugar I thought thats sounds alright reading futher the 5% was your typical daily requirement in a 45 gram serve it also had over 30% sugar,very misleading
Murdoch
Dear Mr Harper
Thank you so much for todays article on two accounts
1. Wasnt expecting it-due to holiday Mon, that would have been ok with me. But glad you did.
2. Just what I needed first thing on a Monday. Weights/cardio done, first thing. Ive moved on from the oatbrits to hi bran weetbix-I like the crunch!
Im going to print this one, on the fridge, it worked for me.
Blessings
Hi Hips – the good news is that you can change it.
But will you?
( )
Jules – a week from today, write me (and everyone else) a (brief) report on how productive and effective you’ve been for the next seven days – we’ll be your accountability partner for one week.
( )
They’re sneaky aren’t they Murdoch?
Good work.
Hello Anon.
You’re welcome
20, 7
So not anonymous.
( )
Dear Craig
Thank you so much for the procrastination post, it means a lot to me but unfortunately I can’t deal with it today, I need to make another list, write another dialogue in my diary about my failed diet, spend at least 2 – 8 hours on internet surfing for “the answer” and generally procrastinating. Thanks anyway, c u tomorrow
Love
K
OK. It’s a deal. THANKS. I’m up for the challenge. I need to do heaps of uni work. I’m so over essays and finding these references though! I just want to get out there and work! You’ve been to uni- you know what it’s like, hey Craig!
I have just registered for the Syd RYL.
Hi Craig,
Fantastic post today…but it always is..
Just wanted to let you know you are really an inspiration.
Need a good kick in the butt and im glad your around to do it.
keep up the awesome work!
( ) Kate
Hi Craig,
Well don’t know what happened to my earlier post (maybe my computer) but just wanted to comment again that I enjoyed today’s post and even though I don’t think I am procrastinating (much,anyway) I found it (the article) just to be an energy boost all on it’s own.
Why is it that getting that stuff into your heads always translates to a better day! It does for me anyhow.
Onward and upward……..
cheers,
Monica ( )
Hi K – funny.
I hope.
( )
Cool Jules..
Thanks for your kind words Kate – even coaches need coaching and encouragement… ( )
Hi Monica
It must have got lost in cyberspace! Glad you enjoyed the post.. ( )
Errr… Hit the nail on the head!! Procrasination with a capital P on my forehead!!
…….must go and find that list I started ..ummm a couple of weeks or was it months ago????
Thanks Craig for your article and reminding me of why I need to kick myself in the butt (as if I could reach!!!) Cheers Annie
Guilty here… primarily of death by analysis. Great plans, little follow-through. I’ll always write tomorrow, there’s a good hour that I can fit in extra work coming up… on my day off, I can devote several hours just to this problem… I’m just not ready to tackle that part of the problem yet.
Yes, I know the answer. Do it now. Well, for the last 45 minutes, I’ve been working on one of my projects that has been in dire need of attention for the last month, and I have another hour and a half until I have to get some sleep. I’ll have another hour tomorrow before my “day” job, and I must get more done tomorrow. I’m the only one setting deadlines, but it feels great to actually set them, and when I go to bed tonight, I’ll feel great knowing that I only wasted 10 minutes of my time posting this comment.
I’m going to start setting deadlines as my second step… right after the first step of coming up with a very raw idea. I can always adjust the deadlines when I miss them, since I’m only setting the deadline for myself, but I can’t miss the deadline because of laziness anymore; I have to miss the deadline due to events completely outside of my control.
OMG Craig, I finally stopped procrastinating and signed up for the 50 km Ride Around the Bay in less than 2 weeks. I’m terrified and am doubting my ability to actually finish the ride – let alone get a decent time. I have visions of pushing my bike up hill over the Westgate Bridge. What the hell was I thinking!!!
J9
Hook my heart