Why are you procrastinating?
October 2nd, 2008 | Published in Authenticity In Entrepreneurship, Strategy, Taking Care of You | 10 Comments
Yesterday, my friend Cristina reminded us all that October is Anti-Procrastination Month. You really should subscribe to Cristina’s blog as she is going to be posting some really great tips this month on how to get past that pesky procrastination.
Now, I’m all for tips on getting past procrastination. To me - a driven, results oriented, motivated woman - procrastination is one of the most maddening mind-sets to be in.
However, what I’d like to offer is maybe a different perspective. What if your procrastination is telling you something? What if it’s not just you not wanting to do something? What if it’s not just you feeling lazy, lethargic, or just simply putting something off?
In my experience, most of the times I’ve procrastinated something, there was always some deeper reason why I wasn’t accomplishing the task.
Sometimes it’s not out of fear, or boredom, or feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes, the energy of the situation isn’t quite right for some reason, and sometimes, there is a greater truth evident.
Let’s take my recent business escapades as an example. Last week, I needed a break. I needed to get away from my computer, away from my business, and I needed to do something completely different. So, I went back to my entrepreneurial roots and started making soap. Holy wow did I have fun. I got so creative, a few of my friends are now sitting in an abundance of soap 
Anyway, simply because I can’t help myself, I started wondering what it would be like to get back into that type of business. And then the wheels started turning and I started thinking of business names, tag lines, mission statements… heck - I even had a web design created, and some of you took my survey - thank you (and yes, there is still going to be a drawing for a fabulous prize for those who participated…)!
But - something was holding me back. I didn’t take the final step toward actually bringing that business into being. I held off, and kept making little excuses… I was sort of dragging my feet on taking the plunge… second guessing myself… And thank goodness I did.
Thanks to Lisa and Katherine, I was able to see that there was a greater truth at work here.
In my case, the greater truth was - there were some things in my current business that weren’t working, I was too close to the situation to see what they were. I needed time away, doing something completely different - and a couple of really eye-opening, deep coaching sessions to bring out the truth of what was wrong.
What was so frustrating was, because there were certain things I was hanging onto that were no longer working in my business, the business wasn’t moving forward. It was stuck. And for a motivated, driven, results oriented woman like me - that sucks, quite frankly - and it’s draining, exhausting and stressful. It’s also very uncomfortable. For someone who is used to seeing results and success - and fast… to be stalled like that is really annoying.
Now that I’ve worked with my coaches, and have been able to see exactly what was going on (we can’t do this work on ourselves alone, ya know), I feel energized and I can now move forward being my successful self again. Ahhhh… feels good to be back.
So - the moral of the story is… when you’re procrastinating, ask yourself - is there a deeper reason? If so - explore it. Find someone to help you explore it.
And, if there is no deeper reason, get your butt movin’ would ya?
About Jenn Givler
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:02 pm (#)
I understand this feeling completely and exactly. I’ve been going through the exact same thing. I haven’t made soap (too much in the cabinets now, along with a lot of other body products. LOL) I secured my domain name, started taking pics for the site, the whole bit, and sill have not published the site.
But am working on some other creative endeavors.
I am a creative type person and I believe my problem was I was putting too much pressure on myself work wise and not enough into my creative self.
Now to just find a balance between the two.
Congrats on getting unstuck, and moving forward!!!
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:46 pm (#)
You are so true Jenn that sometimes procrastination means more than just not wanting to do something. For me, when I am writing, I will find myself, getting away from the computer for everything other than sitting there writing. And I have to stop and say, Ok, what is it? Why do you not want to write this now? And sometimes it is because I am not wanting to write about that topic but I want to write about something else. Or sometimes I have something else I need to do at that time instead of writing.
And by taking the time to ask yourself, why am I stopping this action? It will give you the reason and you can move forward towards the goal in a different way.
Such a great way to look at procrastination Jenn!
Your friend,
Teresa Morrow
October 3rd, 2008 at 2:52 am (#)
Jenn, thanks for the link love.
But even more, thanks for offering such a refreshing take on beating procrastination. I just may have to quote you on this for my readers!!!
I am going through the same thing you just went through. I only hope I can make it through as well as you have!! It’s a scary ride, but I’m so ready for it!
Thanks for sharing your journey! It gives me hope!
October 4th, 2008 at 12:33 pm (#)
Terri - I loved reading your story on your blog about getting back into soap… boy did that sound familiar!! I think the moral of the story for me is not to lose sight of that creative side of myself and let it be ok if I want to get away from work for a while.
For me, I’ve been reminded this last week that I need to get away from work - truly put it down and go do something completely NOT related to my business. That truly clears my head, keeps me grounded and centered. I’m already planning some really interesting adventures thanks to my fabulous coach Lisa.
Teresa, I love the idea of asking yourself why you don’t want to do something… that works really well for me too. Having that inner conversation can be so revealing!
Cris - I totally hear ya on it being a scary ride. I confided in a few of my really close friends last week that I was really scared. I don’t like uncertainty - especially when it comes to huge decisions like my business.
Plus - I really couldn’t see a next step… if I gave up coaching - what the heck would I do??? NOTHING was coming to mind and that was truly frightening.
What I’ve learned is, that uncertainty was ok. And it was exactly what I needed - because it allowed me to be completely open to whatever was next… open to lots of possibilities. Even the possibility of just retooling the coaching biz
October 4th, 2008 at 3:55 pm (#)
This is such a great topic, Jenn. I had a real breakthrough this week regarding a large project I have been excited about, but getting much/any traction on (a.k.a. procrastinating).
The thing I think is so important, when you notice you’re procrastinating, is not to heap a load of self-judgment on top of it. You know, the “Argh! I’m procrastinating! I’m such a (fill in the blank) slacker!” stuff. Be nice. Being mean just makes it harder.
With my thing, I broke through the haze with two steps: first, I realized I had given myself an unrealistic deadline that was about a month in the past. In the past! So I picked another, more realistic and compassionate deadline in the future. What a concept.
The other thing I did was a 30-second brainstorm of all the options, all the possible steps I’d been considering that were making me overwhelmed. I got them all down on paper. Looking over them objectively was SO much less overwhelming than trying to hold it all in my brain.
When I asked myself which of these options I’d like to do first, there was an obvious one that popped out - which freed me from trying to do them all at once (and failing). It seemed easy to proceed - and I’m actually excited about the project again!
October 6th, 2008 at 3:13 pm (#)
Jen! What awesome insight. I just love how your comment oozes self-love… when so often we DO heap self-judgment on our procrastination.
October 6th, 2008 at 6:57 pm (#)
Ahh Jenn!
So THAT’s what you decided eh! : ) I’m soooo proud of you! Especially because you hung on with all that you had while riding the [seemingly] tidal wave of “I’m-out-of-control-because-I’m-not-certain-what’s-next-please-God-HELP-ME-NOW!’
As you know I’ve been a bit on that ride myself and I too am now coming through to the other side with some new clarity that is in many ways similar to yours!
I also loved the peeps who have commented here — because I don’t know about you — but until we talked — I thought I WAS THE LONE RANGER! : )
That is what’s EXTRA SPECIAL about sharing our journeys on our blogs and with each other. We are never alone in Spirit of course — but it is luxuriously comforting to know that others are PHYSICALLY with us also! : )
Blessings to you my friend! Thank you so much for your friendship, honesty, and integrity! Love being on this spiritual journey with you!
Stephanie Bell the Spirit Coach
http://twitter.com/SpiritCoach
October 7th, 2008 at 11:32 am (#)
Awww Stephanie - thank you! And you’re right - I’m not a fan of uncertainty at all… well - I can live with a little bit of it. But, when it comes to, “holy wow I have no clue whatsoever what to do with my life…” That is really scary.
The key - as you and I have delved into is to get really, really quiet, go inside, and listen. And that’s not always easy - especially if you’re like me and your mind-chatter is belligerent… LOL!
During the few days I was in that uncertain place, I really learned how to get quiet - REALLY quiet.
It’s bliss.
October 8th, 2008 at 10:44 pm (#)
Jenn, what a blessing it was for me to take the time to read this today! I always save things (lol…is this a form of procrastination?) until I have time to go back and really think about what I am reading.
This was so helpful to me! Very calming! I find myself in a constant procrastination battle with my “to do” list and this has made me realize I need to go back and see what is holding up progress on some of those things…those things that keep getting bumped from one day to the next until the next thing you know a month has gone by and they are STILL on the list!
All of the comments resonated with me as well!
Wishing you much continued success!
October 20th, 2008 at 12:07 pm (#)
Beautiful post - open and honest.
I go through this quite often (well, two or three times a year) and because it’s really not me, I know there’s something else happening.
And really, when I remove things, I feel so much lighter and my number one value, FREEDOM, comes rushing to the fore again