I was just staring at a blank document. Now I’m not. I acted and solved a simple problem. I didn’t even know where this article was going. And after reading the title, Warren G is probably in your head. Am I right? Here’s the deal. We all get stuck. In fact, this happens multiple times daily and sometimes we may not even realize it. Things just get brushed aside. A workout. Laundry. A task or project at work. The “honey-do” list. Sometimes we spend more time avoiding a task than it takes to accomplish it. You are reading the words of a professional procrastinator.
When it comes to business, I work well under pressure. I don’t miss deadlines. I do everything possible to get the job done with high quality. And quality is the result. But, at what cost? Unnecessary stress. Anxiety. Take it from me, those killers accumulate quickly and take a toll on physical and mental health. And they exist from the moment the task is known to the moment of completion. How is that possible if we aren’t working on the task? Well, it’s in the back of our mind. And our mind likes to remind us that it needs to be accomplished. It may be a quick thought that gets filed back away, but stress occurs and begins to accumulate. At first, it’s no big deal. But over the course of inaction, it really adds up. And then, the task begins, and the stress is exponential. And undue.
This whole process could have been easier. I could have put my full energy into the project right away. But that’s not always possible due to priorities. Plus, I like to lie to myself with the “I work better under pressure” excuse. Typical procrastinator logic, though it’s not logic at all. Here’s my simple solution, which is also very difficult for certain individuals like me. Work on the task every day. Even if it’s just a few minutes. Jot down a few notes. Execute. Take action. By doing this, that “back of the mind” stress is quelled. You don’t give stress the power to accumulate and overtake your thoughts. Now the deadline approaches. Stress will undoubtedly surface, and that’s okay. It’s a part of life. But it is not nearly the amount of stress that it would have been under full procrastination mode.
This solution does not start and stop with business. In fact, it probably has more benefits in daily life at home. A neater and more organized home. Side note – your environment can produce plenty of stress. A dwindling “honey-do” list if that’s such a thing. Less stress on relationships.
Let’s make a pact. Act daily. Get shit done. Reduce stress and anxiety. See the benefits.
Remind yourself of this every day. I know I will. It doesn’t always work but keep at it and form or improve an incredibly beneficial habit… proactiveness.
Chris