You mean there’s no button I can press to rid my life of procrastination forever?

There’s no magical sentence that once I hear it I’ll be transformed and never put anything off again?

What about a potion?

Surely, there’s an elixir that will amazingly reprogram my mind and turn me into a chief executive a&& kicker.

We actually believe these things exist. Admit it! We wait and hope that one morning we’ll wake up cured. Or we’ll get hit in the head and turn into an instant genius, like John Travolta did in “Phenomenon“.

No, my friends, there is no magic pill to cure the crippling plague of procrastination.

You still there?

C’mon, I’m not naive enough to think some of you hit the back button on your browser after I dashed your hopes and destroyed the one strategy you were certain would work – eventually. Wouldn’t we all like to stay in our comfortable little bubble while accomplishing every single goal we set. Hasn’t happened yet, has it?

Surprised?

Time For Some Honesty About Procrastination

Comfort is the enemy.

You knew that already. Sitting on the couch…there’s no risk there. I know. I’ve worn plenty of holes in couches. I’ve watched plenty of TV shows that I can’t remember the next day. I’ve surfed the internet aimlessly and for what?

Simple – to avoid the risk, the discomfort, and the uncertainty that comes from stepping outside my comfort zone, doing something difficult or painful. Working out is a great example. I can take a morning walk with the best. It’s exercise and a great time for prayer. I can hook my bands around the door frame and rock some pull downs, no problem. Feels good to get that blood flowing through my muscles. These things are easy. Doing the 7 minute workout – now that’s hard. Being out of breath sucks. Not being able to do the last couple exercises with proper form feels like failure. No wonder I avoid it at all costs.

What challenges are you putting off?

What discomfort are you avoiding?

What risk are you not taking?

How is procrastination robbing you of the life you should be living?

Tough questions  that I know you don’t want to ask yourself – but you must. I did. I knew what the answers were already but being honest with myself and putting them down on paper made them real. Once they were real, they could be dealt with. How did I deal with them?

Planning – I schedule time for nothing else but the thing I put off doing. Nothing can get in the way because nothing else is planned.

Partnering – My wife makes a darn good partner. She stays on me and I stay on her. A friend, sibling or co-worker would make a good partner if you’re not married.

Doing – I’m repeating the advice of others but that just means it’s reliable. If you wait for motivation to come, you’ll be waiting a long time.

Action is procrastination’s kryptonite. Do something – you may discover you never want to stop. [reminder]In what areas of your life are you plagued by procrastination? What strategies have/haven’t worked?[/reminder]