Introduction
Perhaps the first lesson of the day is that a simple awareness of a tendency to procrastinate is an important part in overcoming it.
Once we have wasted time, it cannot be regained. So let’s think about some ways that we can be better about persisting rather than procrastinating.
It is amazing to me how many of us continue to put things off until we arrive at what we believe will be a better time to do it. We convince ourselves that there will come a more convenient time, a time when we are better prepared, a time when there are not so many other things vying for our attention.
Why do we do this? How do we recognize it when we do it? Is there anything we can do about it, or is it just part of the human experience? What about the times when there are “legitimate” excuses for putting things off? How do we motivate ourselves to do the things that we are procrastinating about?
The experts tell us that most all of us procrastinate, and many of us do it chronically, habitually. In fact, according to Psychology Today, 20% of people identity themselves as chronic procrastinators. Hopefully you do not fall into the chronic category, but I believe that everyone has room for improvement in this area.
So … let’s get to it!
- Exercise:
Evaluate your to-do list. Is there anything on there that you have been waiting for perfect conditions to begin?
Is there one step you could take towards it … today?
Integral Development Forum 