…So I have posted in the past about feeling down or frustrated with my business.  I have mentioned how overwhelmed and stressed out I feel at times.  I then shared how I goal setting and accomplishment has helped lift me out of that mindset.  I also have posted on focusing on the positives, meditation or mindful breath work, or repeating positive affirmations can lift a nasty mood.  Finally I have posted about how exercise, eating healthy, and feeling balance can help when feelings of worry, irritability, or stress come about.  But last night I learned yet another tool for moving on from focusing on frustration and I would like to share this with you!…

“Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week.” ~Spanish Proverb

“The best way to get something done is to begin.” ~Author Unknown

…What do these two quotes have in common?  They speak to an underlying concept that typically self-sabatoges many of us when we are working towards getting something done.  Procrastination; a nasty little vice I was not aware was plaguing me!  And wouldn’t you know, as it has been happening with all my blog posts recently, where there is one teaching point revealed to me there is often another!  I listened to my first coaching call last night for my program with Alicia Forest and the first thing she talked about reminded me of procrastination.  And then I get into my email this morning and open up an article from Spark People about procrastination!  So what better to write about then this idle habit that can be very self-destructive!…

…”I’ll do it later.”  “I’ll get to it tomorrow.”  “I don’t feel like calling her back right now.”  “I’ll study tonight.”  These are all examples of procrastination in action.  Putting things off and not getting tasks done can lead us to feeling stuck and immobile.  This sort of behavior can really deter us from getting what we want.  This self-delay can really slow down our goal achievement.  This inaction can keep us from reaching our dreams.  I realized last night that this is where I am struggling currently.  I was feeling really down last night, sort of tired, and just stuck.  After listening to my coaching call I came to appreciate I am not making as much progress as I would like with my business right now, not because I do not have any clients, but because at times I am completely paralyzed by procrastination.  So what can I do about it?…

…I have decided to take the advice I received on my coaching call.  I am going to start “do”ing.  I am going to just create an action step and get it done, one at a time.  I am not going to worry about what might come of it or how it might serve me or even how I will get something accomplished.  For one reason I become immobilized is that I think of a great idea and then start to worry how it is going to get done and who is going to like it.  But this is not the way to think.  For as my coach says over and over, “Done is better than perfect.”  I am just going to trust and have faith that if I set out to do something that someway, somehow it will get done and it will reach those that are meant to receive it… 

…Here is an example for you from my own experience.  I have decided I want to gain more credibility and exposure in front of my target market.  I desire my name to be recognized and for people to see me as the expert.  So I have decided my first action step is to create an Interview with the Expert booklet for nurses.  I am not sure yet where this will be posted, how it will be viewed, or even who will read it.  I just am working on getting expert interviews right now and creating the booklet.  Then I will figure out where to go with it.  But if I sit around thinking, “who is going to read this” and “how will I get this out there” it will never get started and thus it will never get done!  So I am just starting it out in the way I know best and working on it and getting it going so that I can get it done.   I am no longer going to be motionless because of my procrastination.  I am going to just go for it and get it done!  One thing at a time!!…

Do you notice yourself as stuck?  Do you ever feel your progress is at a standstill?  What are your experiences with procrastination and how do you invigorate yourself to get working again and get doing?