Damn Procrastination!

Procrastination is a very important issue for many of us. “Oh, I should go to the gym and do some workout… Well, I’ll do it next week, for sure!” or, “I should grab a book… I have only read magazines and the internet lately… Look, I will make some time tomorrow and go to a book store and will definitely find something interesting to read…” or, “I should call mom. Well, I will do it tonight…” And things repeat themselves, sometimes forever!

Yet, what are we doing when we postpone things? We don’t just sit and do nothing, do we? We do something else. Hm! That’s interesting! What might be the difference between the two? If you agree, I’ll suggest an exercise!
Let’s take a tangible, simple situation. It’s Saturday morning. We tell ourselves: “I should go to the gym, I haven’t been there in months. Oh! I need to put my things in the bag… I wonder if they are all clean… I wonder where my shorts are… what should I do, take the car or walk. No car, it will be more difficult when I come back… Oh! When I get to think about that abs workout … wait, I’d better go to the supermarket and buy the things on the grocery list from the kitchen. I’ll call Mike, maybe he can come along. I’ll bring the car back and have a couple of beers afterwards…”
Does this sound familiar to you?

Let’s take apart the case a little bit! First, we realized we had a need. Then we started to consider the drawbacks along – and got stuck. The result is zero motivation. By repeating it endlessly, the association between the respective need and discomfort gets beaten, forged and all we get is what in the jargon we call a “neural-behavioral highway”. After a while we don’t even acknowledge the source of discomfort. What is the result? Procrastination! As a matter of fact, we switch to another action, where the shortcomings do not exist and the discomfort related to those activities vanishes.
What to do?

Well, all we have to do is no longer take the “highway”! After pinpointing the need, we only have to shift the attention on the positive aspects, such as: “I could meet some interesting people at the gym”, or „look at how well my abs look now” or “I am so proud of myself for getting at the gym and I feel so in shape after training”. We do not focus on the shortcomings of the course but on the bunch of benefits once things have been done. The shortcomings will not disappear but, as in the martial arts, we will use their power by redirecting it to the benefits of the situation. Motivation will increase significantly. I know, you are going say: “Well, ok, but if we don’t take the highway but a county road, we will reach the destination later.” You are right! But if we continue to go on that road for a few times it will turn, imperceptibly, into a new highway! The modern highway we wished for! I can guarantee it!

Disclaimer: This text has absolutely nothing to do with the conditions of Romanian roads…