Procrastination – you did it again, you said you were going to write that blog article, balance your check book, create that new video, call a potential client, follow up after networking. But…. You didn’t you spent time doing other “important” tasks that you feel comfortable doing.
In reality procrastination is just another word for fear. What are you afraid of? This morning was I was supposed to be making calls to radio stations to see about setting up interviews for my book, Put Your Big Girl Panties On and Kick Your Fears in the Ass. It was amazing all the important things I just had to do. I had to go to the bank and make a deposit, I had to do things I can’t even remember this evening as I write this – they were so important. Finally I stopped and said “Ok it’s time to make those calls!” I spent just a few additional minutes thinking about what I was afraid of … the irony of it … being afraid of making calls for my book Put Your Big Girl Panties On and Kick Your Fears in the Ass. What was I afraid of? I was afraid they would say no because they didn’t like me. And guess what happened, I had one radio host say he would pass, that one actually took me by surprise. At some level I thought that if they answered the phone they would want to schedule an interview. And while I was disappointed I made the rest of my calls and on the last one I got scheduled for an interview.
Now I need to get ready for my interview … I can feel the procrastination starting… so what am I afraid of … what if my book is successful, will I be able to write another book…
Can you see how my fear of the future is causing me to procrastinate so I can pretend that I’m not going to get to the future?
Where are you procrastinating and what future is it keeping you from?
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Jane works with Women CEOs, Partners, Principals and Executives who are looking for Clarity, Focus and Release. My clients and colleagues call me a thought provoking Business Therapist. My focus is helping overwhelmed women executives regain clarity, let go of ambiguity, uncertainty and fear, while bringing focus to their goals and objectives. I ask the hard questions knowing that you’re ready to answer them.
Jane is also the author of Put Your Big Girl Panties On and Kick Your Fears in the Ass.
Additional information is available at www.lovasconsulting.com. Contact Jane by email jlovas@lovasconsulting.com or by telephone at 703.594.6028.
Jane, you nailed it. I procrastinate when I’m afraid – afraid of being rejected or afraid of failure. Powering through usually helps, but finding my big girl panties will be helpful, too 😉
Thanks!
Sandi
Hi Jane! I go in waves – sometimes I constantly procrastinate, other times I am on the ball. You’re right. It’s absolutely fear that keeps us stuck in procrastination mode. I think a way to keep us on the right path is having an accountability buddy – someone else that knows what we’re committing to for the day. Even if it’s 5 minutes “I’m doing X, Y, Z” That way, we can’t really hide and we have to do it. Thanks! Janet
Procrastination is such a challenge for everyone and most especially for those plagued by low self-esteem. It also is true of people who may not be accountable to others in their efforts (ie self-employed individuals) Love your honety, Jane! I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been in this ‘spot’ before!!
Get out of my head, Jane Lovas! How do you know that whenever I’m on deadline to write a magazine article, that is when my files MUST be purged and organized? Your story of calling for the radio interviews will spur me to tackle my procrastination gremlins head on and give them a swift kick in the a**. Cheers!
Well, I am here commenting on your great post because I’m procrastinating… delaying the start of my 2-hour commitment to work on my new program. Why? I think I avoid certain actions because I’m afraid they’ll be hard. I’ll have to struggle. It won’t be any fun, OR I won’t be any good at it.
Though sometimes procrastination, or what we call procrastination, is an inner wisdom telling us, “You know, you need to wait. You’re not lined up yet.” The trick is to know the difference!