When you follow your purpose and true desires, it can certainly take you out of your comfort zone. I know, it’s true for me. And what happens then?
A part of me comes up with excuses to avoid to move forward, or reasons why I can’t. My little escape into procrastination begins. It can take various forms but the good thing is, I know me well enough to catch that part of me in the act so I can stay in momentum.
I would like to share with you what I have come to learn about procrastination and three tips of how to slay this sneaky beast.
Tip #1 – Procrastination is NOT about wasting time…
We so often blame it on lack of time when we aren’t doing what we really want. I have never spoken to any woman who didn’t feel the time-trap. But I came to realize that time is an external resource and it’s rarely the real issue.
“Busy-ness” was a strategy of mine to feel in control. As long as I was doing something, I felt I was making things happen. Being busy was also a great strategy to avoid taking certain actions and to procrastinate.
But it’s about quality actions over quantity and here is my strategy:
Start with writing a to-do-list, write down everything that you could possibly think using these three categories: The things that you:
- need to do – basic actions/ foundational, routine activities/immediate goals
- want to do – medium term goals / experiences
- desire to do – bigger dreams / visions / intentions
Keep writing until everything is out of your head onto the paper.
Then look through each list and choose one or two items from each that would make the most impact towards your goal right now right here and focus on getting those done. You will feel less overwhelmed and more in charge of your time.
Tip #2 – Procrastination has got everything to do with your fears and doubts and limiting beliefs.
We experience a loss of creative flow and momentum by allowing our fears and doubts to eat up our energy. You may let opportunities float away because they’re too scary or uncomfortable. Or because you listen to that ‘what if…?’ in your head.
My tip is, make time to create clarity, clarity and more clarity. Especially, mental and emotional clarity.
I do a practical and energetic flow-check every month to gain clarity so I know what to let go of and what exactly I manifested. I can then create a very clear and relevant action plan each month and I take the most impactful actions.
Two other fast daily habits to maintain mental and emotional clarity and to continuously deal with any blocks:
- write down your thoughts and feelings for 5 minutes as they come into your awareness without any filter. Writing instantly raises your vibration as it gets you out of your head.
- Cleanse both your physical and energetic body with three powerful breathe straight in the morning whilst in the shower. With your out-breathe, let go of any heavy energy, stress, frustration, worry and let it all washed away with the water. Then, breathe in whatever you need for the day… love, courage, creativity, curiosity, focus, positivity, patience…? Whatever it feels right for you.
Tip #3 Know when you’re most productive and know when you need to recharge.
It’s important to recognise the above because you can label yourself procrastinating when, in fact, your energy or motivation is naturally at low levels as a result of your monthly cycle.
You’re hormones are changing week to week. This affects your mood, emotional and mental capacity in your daily life. For us women, there is an optimum time to be productive or creative. We need to know when to be busy and keep working, and when to rest and recharge. As you go through your cycle each month, your body is guiding you when to be productive, when to rest, when to work out, reflect and contemplate and when to cleanse and heal.
It can be hard to really listen and follow this guidance and cycle, because life is busy and our society doesn’t support us to tune into our rhythm. I know, I can get days when I have to fight my own nature.
I used to be such a doer and wouldn’t stop for anything, and, trust me, constantly taking action is just as unproductive as procrastination. Especially, that, after too much action, I got exhausted and then oscillated into procrastination. It was not easy to change but when you align with your feminine rhythm, you amplify your flow of creation and life will become more effortless. It’s allowing you to understand your makeup as a woman on a deeper level and to redefine procrastination that leads you to create a better balance between action and rest & recharge.
Originally published at dianaadamko.com