Do have a project that you desperately want to get underway but you feel so overwhelmed that you don’t know where to start? Maybe you sit down at the computer to start your project but find yourself still looking at Facebook two hours later?
What is it that is standing in the way of your motivation?
Procrastination and depending upon what your goal is there are various reasons why you’re doing it.
Fear
This is the biggest reason why most people procrastinate is the fear of failure and even the fear of success, among others.
Successful people have failed more times than you could imagine, but they don’t look at it as failure. They see it as a step on the path towards finding their success.
As for the fear of success, that is very real for many people. Maybe you’re concerned that things may become overwhelming and you’ll be required to fly by the seat of your pants. It’s the fear of the unknown.
Fear of success is one of the reasons people don’t look after their health or find it difficult to lose weight. It sounds strange, but there is an emotional safety in being overweight or unwell. If you are fit and healthy, what safety net do you have to fall back on?
When you’ve aligned yourself with health, you don’t feel the need for one.
I like to think of fear like this – False Experiences Appearing Real. Whatever you’re worried about hasn’t even happened, so don’t worry because it will only hold you back.
Instead, take back your personal power and make the decision whether or not to do something. Don’t let fear decide for you.
Perfectionism
This will stop you in your tracks every time. If every successful entrepreneur had waited until their idea was perfect before launching, there’d be no successful entrepreneurs. While there is a place to have standards, waiting until everything is perfect will be your undoing because you will never start.
Not being good enough or not knowing enough
If you wait until you know everything you won’t start. One of the best things I have done was to start writing a fitness column for our local paper, even though I was nervous because I had only been in the fitness industry for a short period of time.
I asked myself if I knew enough to be writing a fitness related column each week. I decided to jump in feet first and as I came up with ideas for articles each week, it became apparent to me that I knew more than I had given myself credit for.
I have actually learned a lot about myself through writing these articles.
Learn as you go. You’ll be amazed at what you do actually know, what you’ll learn and what you’re capable of achieving.
No defined goal
Trying to define your goal can be difficult if you have an idea but you’re not 100% sure of your direction. Ask yourself lots of questions and really listen to the answers. Ask other people questions. Keep learning and you’ll find your way.
So what can you do to take steps and squash your procrastination?
Have a plan and take action
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- Take a few minutes the night before to plan your day – setting out your day and what you need to do gives you a place to start and can help to alleviate the feeling of being overwhelmed.
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- De-clutter your life – Clutter is like a heavy backpack that you carry around all day, every day. Its energy stands in your way. If you have a lot of stuff to clear, start small, start with a plan and take steps to move forward every day. This also includes electronic clutter and the clutter in your mind.
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- Look at those you are spending your time with – we’re all the equivalent of the five people we spend the most time with. Do you have any energy draining people in your life who are holding you back?
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- Continue learning – don’t stop learning. It doesn’t matter how old you are, there’s always something to learn.
- Make fitness a priority – all successful people make their health a priority. Even if you find weight loss difficult at this point, at least make a start with an eye towards keeping your body strong. A strong body can achieve many things. You will be amazed at how it changes your outlook.
Don’t wait until you’re ready to get started. Create a plan and start. Don’t be afraid of taking small steps. Be afraid of standing still.
Kathryn Eggins is a Wellness and Motivational Coach. After turning her own life and health around, she now guides others who are fed up with feeling like they’re living life on a treadmill to empower themselves with the skills to create the life and health they truly want.
