Deb's Newsletter
The "P" Word |
October 7th, 2008 |
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EMPOWER YOURSELF The “P” Word “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” Aristotle My name is Deb Raven and I am a procrastinator. I think that I will start a support group for professional procrastinators. Would anyone like to join? Today is Oct. 7. My last newsletter was sent out on Aug. 28. So, you may ask? Well, I have failed. When I first started writing my monthly newsletter, I made a commitment to myself to send it out within the first week of every month. Simple. Doable. After all, I built in a 7-day window! Three months into my commitment, the newsletter didn’t get done during the first week of the month, but it was completed during the second week. Then it was the third week. Then the fourth week. Then, I found myself scrambling to get it done on the last day of the month! Then came September. Even though I had an extremely busy month, (by the way, our wedding was absolutely perfect and the honeymoon in the Whiteshell was spectacular), I have been back at work now for 2 weeks and could have completed it. “Done is better than perfect” I tell my clients. I was fully aware of my monthly commitment to myself. It nagged at me every day. It was on my “to do” list almost daily. It wore me out just thinking about it! Why didn’t I just get it done? Well that, my friends, is a stellar example of procrastination. You know that you HAVE to get something done and you just keep putting it off. It weighs heavy on your mind, therefore, draining your energy. Being on your “to do” list everyday and not accomplishing it is a constant reminder of how inept you really are! It frustrates you, stresses you out and can even leave you feeling paralyzed to make an attempt at completion. It is a constant reminder of failure. Why do we do this to ourselves? If I remove myself from my personal situation (of failure), I can see things a lot clearer, (which a coach helps you to do). Of course not getting something done on your “to do” list does not mean that you are a failure. Not getting something accomplished can mean many things, such as: • There are too many things on your “to do” list. • You may need more knowledge or training to get it done. • Your list is full of things you “should” do, not “want “to do. (This doesn’t mean that the list is full of only fun things. There will be chores etc. to be sure. But, it is important to discover in yourself why you WANT to get them done. This may be a stretch for cleaning the bathroom!) • You want it to be done perfectly, so you just keep putting it off until a better time (mine). • You are avoiding doing it. • You are so overwhelmed that you would benefit from delegating some of the list to others, but they could never do it as good as you. • You have a permanent “excuse” for not making time for fun or relaxing because you are just too busy. Procrastination is usually the symptom of one of the above, or countless others. It is our “fall-back” or our “safety net”. It is our reason for not getting something done. In reality, it is our EXCUSE for not getting things done. Simply an excuse. Now what? Well, admitting that you are falling back on excuses for not getting things done is half the battle. Plus, you need to own this. If you see your excuses to be only a problem for others, there is rarely any hope for change. Change can only occur when you become aware of what you want to change, and then take small action steps to slowly change your pattern of behavior. Trust me, this will not happen overnight. But, new habits, which are much kinder on you, can be developed over time. If your friend or colleague is not a “failure” for not getting something done, then why are you? This Month… 1. Make a list of what you procrastinate doing? 2. What is your excuse? 3. Does this behavior bother you, or just other people? Empower Yourself – Try This: If procrastination is a problem for you, take a look at your list and try to become more aware of what you are putting off – daily, weekly, monthly, yearly. Now remember – start small! Write down in your day-timer, planner or “to do” list the things that you will do anything to avoid for that day. Just that day. Now, here’s the challenge; move that task up to the top of the list and do it before you do anything else. Absolutely ANYTHING else, for example, before: • Turning on your computer • Checking messages • Having coffee (Yikes!) • Chatting with friends / co-workers The point is – just get it done! Done is better than perfect! You will feel so good for getting the monkey off your back and empowered to take on all the rest of the challenges of the day. Who knows, with your renewed sense of energy, you may even tackle that box of photos you have been meaning to deal with…. Cozy Fall Blessings to All, DEB RAVEN – Mentor for More Life Is What You Make It 204-257-4240 |
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Past Newsletters:
December 18th, 2008 - The Most Wonderful (Stressful) Time of the Year
November 5th, 2008 - Own Worst Enemy
October 7th, 2008 - The "P" Word
August 14th, 2008 - Forgiveness
July 10th, 2008 - Who Are You?
More Past Newsletters