The Value of Procrastination

Yes, you read the title correctly!

Let’s focus for a moment something I have never heard anyone else talk about – the value of procrastination.  That’s right, VALUE.

One of the reasons the things you want to happen, don’t happen, is because of our old pal procrastination.  The message you usually get about procrastination is that it means you are lazy.

However, in my experience, procrastination is a BIG message from you to you.  It means that something about what you want is not a good fit; out of order; or not serving you just yet.

Here’s an example from my own life.  I used to be the kind of person many love to hate:-)  For most of my young life, I could eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, as much as I wanted — and not gain a nano-gram.  In fact I would often LOOSE weight!!  Then, I turned 40.

Those who have made this transition in life will know what I’m talking about – suddenly, everything changed.  One day as I walked passed a shop window, my reflection stopped me cold.  Who IS that pudgy person???  Wow had I gained weight!

Seems that while my metabolism had obviously changed, my eating habits had not.  I’d also taken on a desk job so I was much less active at this point in my life than previously.

It was clear I needed to start watching my intake – this was not hard.  Where procrastination got me was exercise.  I knew I needed to do it and I did not.  I procrastinated.  For several YEARS.  One fateful New Year’s Eve, as I put “exercise” on my resolutions list for the ump-teenth time, my brain finally kicked in and I asked myself, “Why am I not doing this?”

As I reflected on the question, I became aware of a picture I had in my mind that exercise equals gym work out.  You know, lifting weights and things.  Now I don’t know why I had that image in my head, but I did.  And I realized I just didn’t want to do that kind of exercise.  This is what had been stopping me.

Once I recognized that, I could begin entertaining other images – types of exercise that were much more in harmony with my background and training as a dancer.  I finally landed on Pilates.  This was the click for me.  I started exercising regularly and still do my Pilates mat work out almost every morning to this day – and love it.

I hope that helps you get the idea of what I’m talking about.  What’s important here is that once I got clear on the MESSAGE of my procrastination (“I don’t want to work out in a gym”), it became easy to end procrastination by turning my attention to something I really wanted.

So this is my invitation to you.  Look again at what you want and have been procrastinating about – from the point of view of the MESSAGE procrastination may be giving you.  Here is a brief activity to help you with this:

1)  Write down what you want.

2)  Reflect on your experience of procrastinating on this.  How have you been avoiding it and for how long?  Write that down too.

3)  Now look again at this from the point of view of the MESSAGE procrastination may be giving you.   Write down any thoughts you have about this:

• Is something missing?
• Is it not a good fit for you?
• Is it out of order?  (Does something else need to happen first?)
• Would something different serve your goal more effectively?

A final clue – ask yourself “What would be easy?”  Because if it feels difficult, you are probably not going to do it!  So seek solutions that feel GREAT!!

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Want more help with getting past procrastination?

Audio Now Seminar:  Empowered to Act Now!

8 easy steps to getting what you really want!  Identifying the Value of Procrastination is Step 2 of the 8 step process, designed to help you move toward action.
Instructor:  Annie Kirschenmann

Procrastination can be a habit that causes stress. It also reduces productivity in the workplace and stops us from creating what we really want in life.

Learn Any Time!

This seminar provides you with an opportunity to explore procrastination; as well as engage new tools for ending it, by taking action in ways that make sense.

Learn anytime with this dynamic Audio Now seminar.  Listen in the comfort of your home or office – whenever YOU choose.

Click here to learn more!