Don’t be a Pro at Procrastination

It’s about time. It’s about time I start writing frequently.

Well on a more serious note, it’s actually about time to get things going the way you have envisioned. I guess I owe a backstory to my readers before I get some motivation down their throat that will get them up and running.

So what is this post going to be all about? This post is to stimulate a spark of implementation within all of us. A spark that is possible only after the inception of an idea, rigorous and considerate planning, evaluation of possibilities and challenges and charting out a roadmap of a potential trajectory. The most important part here today is not the four out of many steps that precede the implementation phase, it is the ‘doing’ part that essentially is the reasoning behind investing so much time and effort into actualizing something.

All of us must have heard of the word ‘Procrastination’ but lets delve a little bit into what it actually means for individuals who value time and covet growth. Procrastination is a phase where we have everything ready to set sail but somehow, either we aren’t convinced whether the winds are in our favor or whether we can endure difficult tides. Well prior to this sticky phase, there is another phase where we think uncontrollably, perhaps overthink at times. We think every possibility and barrier out, we dive into depths we haven’t before, we go all out in ascertaining why we are doing what we are doing and how sane is it to pursue it. This is driven by pure hardwork and it definitely is not a breezy task.

Why understand this phase? It is particularly imperative to digest that after so much effort, if one enters and dwells for long in the procrastination phase, the entire point of thinking, assessing, planning, estimating, mitigating and what not is lost because even though the thought had direction, it lacked motivation.

Procrastination is a rather sticky and pertinent patch. If you enter the loop once, you tend to beat around, rather butcher the bush you are beating around because you are continuously re-doing those same exercises you have already carried out without initiation of necessary implementation measures.

What we really need to understand is that procrastination is not all that bad, the amount of time you invest in that segment is what either controls or propagates the damage. In his book ‘Think Again’, Adam Grant shares how rethinking our ideals and value systems from time to time revolutionizes our existence and makes us more receptive to changes, absorbing truths and realities better. Similarly, thinking about your idea from every single angle and point of incidence (taking you back to Grade 8 science) is good only to a certain extent. Beyond a saturation point, thinking can eat up your chances of actualizing what you have thought endlessly about.

But how do you actually draw a line between re-thinking and procrastinating? Its very simple unless you have an unique approach you want to pursue. The moment your gut calls you out that “Hey! You have all the essentials you need to kick start and I think we should proceed further now”, you should know that you need to start writing the next chapter because the one preceding it has played it’s part the way you wanted it to.

The main aspect is the ‘I am going to do something out of everything I have deciphered’ part. As long as you do not get rid of the baggage that procrastination hands you, there is absolutely no point in even taking the first step. Thinking and re-thinking can take you only so far. Mulling over the same thing again and again to no avail is not advisable because it is practically disappointing.

Yes think, but also start somewhere. Knowing when and how to accelerate is very important to sustain in the fast paced environment we thrive in everyday. There are literally millions more who are waiting for an opportunity to take a leap ahead. Hampering your chance in such a volatile environment is not something you should put yourself through.

Get rid of those second thoughts, that baggage pulling you down, those thoughts of failure pushing you around, those jitters creeping up your spine, those opinions that deride your ideas, those negative pullbacks that sometimes strike you and so many more reasons there might be to not take your first step. But there is just one reason to move forward – to do justice to your efforts, sacrifices and the mere courage to consider yourself capable of striving, sustaining and striking.

Its better tried than resented. Its better accomplished than treasured only in your thoughts. Its better unsuccessful than unattempted. Its better ventured than dwelled upon. Dear friend, its better done than only thought.

For once just take that leap without thinking of how will I combat, survive and come out of any difficulty because the resentment of not doing something at the right time will dig a hole in you that you can never completely scurry out of. So get over your procrastination today because that’s a nation where reality has no scope. (Yes I know, that wasn’t a great joke xD)

Try it out and if this post makes even a minuscule difference to you and your life, I’d be more than happy to know and cherish! Adios amigos, until next time!

P.S – Thought it might be helpful to know that I procrastinated a lot about this post, but I got over that and actually wrote it today! So, now its your turn!