Procrastination
Procrastination affects many of us. Many times, it is a way of avoiding actions we choose not to do. We should do them, we ought to do them, and we sometimes are expected to do them. But, yet, we just can’t get ourselves motivated to get it done. Much of the time motivation to get a project done comes from an internal stress that we finally succumb to, just to reduce the anxiety.
My story is true of all of the above. Writing for my website is not the only item on my list of to do’s that I have put off. However, I will use the writing of this article as an example to show how I overcame this annoying behavior.
I have been in the making of my new website for many months. Knowing the entire time, I wanted to start a web log. This means writing many articles. UGH!
Writing is not my favorite activity to do. I am spelling deficient, and looking at a blank page just makes me quiver.
Who would want to read anything I had to say? What authority do I have? What if I spell something wrong or use the wrong word? I will be perceived as stupid. What if people do not like what I write about? Putting ideas in the format of the web log seems so permanent. I can’t deny what I said when it is in writing.
I would rather wash the dishes or mow the lawn than write. Moreover, I am not crazy about doing those tasks either. However, really what I was doing was avoiding the real reason behind the procrastination.
FEAR!!!!
Fear is a major contributor in many of our lives. It stops us dead in our tracks.
In my case, it was causing various reactions in my mind and body. I felt stressed, confused, and my body felt sluggest and tired. Just because I was afraid to be heard. To tell my story.
Many Professionals, suggest that the best method to get over procrastination is the same message Nike has been preaching at us, Just Do It. Sorry, does not work for me.
A recurring lessons for me is to kinder to myself. Forcing myself to do something that is painful is not my idea of being kinder to myself.
So instead, I began using EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). EFT is a technique that involves tapping on meridian points while saying an affirmation of love and acceptance for yourself. Get this, even with the condition. It helps to balance the energy system similar to acupuncture but without the needles.
I use it with my clients for many issues and it works. So why not take the time to work with myself. First, I had to get over the belief that I was not worth the time. After all, there are dirty dishes in the sink and the grass needs to be mowed.
I started out something like this
Even though I am not worth or deserving of the time it takes to help myself, I deeply and completely love and accept myself.
When the intensity dropped for worth and deserving issues of the time for myself, I moved on to the fears. One at a time, I announced my fears. Accepting myself even though I help the fear. One by one, the fears vanished. Other aspects around spelling came up like the time I was dismissed first from the spelling bee competition in the fifth grade. Humm, the shame the spelling bee is still affecting me now.
However, as I collapsed the aspects of these issues, the procrastination became less of a problem. I started scheduling time to work at my computer. Making a task list daily and following through. EFT worked, the proof is in this writing.
I recommend you try this fantastic technique for yourself. Click on Free EFT Manual
by | August 1, 2005
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