Despite starting off the month with the clear intentions to blog every day, I encountered two obstacles right away. These are so typical for me. I bet I’m not alone here, either.
Here’s the first one:
1. I LOVE a blank page! I LOVE the freshly fallen snow (which, as I write, is accumulating outside the window right now.) I LOVE the possibility of what could happen, of what I could do. . . so much so that sometimes It’s impossible to get started at all. This is a big problem.
Fresh snow is so lovely I never want to set foot into it. Photo by leonid_tit
2. While I know perfectly well what I intend in the way of creating products, finishing things I already began, and making 2011 the most powerful and profitable year ever. . . there is a lot of organizing to do first. I am perfectly aware of how easily “getting organized” translates into procrastination (read also: “writer’s block”). I certainly am of the tribe who goes about dusting shelves and sharpening virtual (or literal!) pencils before carving into the work.
I have to tell you, these two things are dream-killers. They will toast you until you’re crispy, if you allow them.
So how do I handle these two things? I’d love to say I’ve mastered them. But I haven’t,. Yet. I’m still working on making them go away by changing the habits and mental grooves that get me stuck there. But. . . I am making progress!
Here are some things that work for me. See, the snow image is fantastic because it illustrates the point so well. It doesn’t matter if I make tracks in the freshly-fallen snow, because more snow will just come along and cover it up. Nothing is permanent. I get a new page whenever I want. In fact, each new day is like a fresh page in my book of Life.
Telling myself things like “But I might ruin it!” are just lies and clever avoidance tactics. They keep me stuck and out of action, rather than having fun seeing what happens and tasting the fresh sharp thrill of snowflakes on my face.
The other dilemma — of getting organized — carries different baggage. I actually do need some level of organization and preparation before I can proceed with certain tasks or projects. But one cannot prepare forever; sooner or later you have to ship. Perpetual preparing prevents shipping. (You can quote me on that.)
I have learned that I need to prepare JUST enough that I know what the next steps are — and get the right resources in place. Then once I’ve gotten to that stage, it really is time to dig in and begin work.
Overcoming the inertia of rest is the hardest part of any task. Moving straight ahead is easy — once you get going 🙂
What keeps YOU stuck in procrastination? Or are you the rare person who never procrastinates? (If you are I want to meet you!) I’d love to hear what’s going on for you this winter, and how you’re leading yourself away from the bad habit place.