Are You A Sloth? Image via Wikipedia
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As humans, we are apart of a club with the notorious reputation of procrastination. If we didn’t procrastinate then there would be no need for deadlines and schedules.
It isn’t that we don’t want to get things done, we just prioritize things poorly. This begs the question: what are you putting off until “later?”
That “Later” Word
Few words are as perfect for the procrastination arsenal as the word “Later.” Later is a great way to commit to doing something without having to do it. It makes you look good, responsible, and committed. Is “later” a common word in your vocabulary? When you say “later” does your husband, wife or kids walk away rolling their eyes, saying “sssuuurrreee.” If this happens to you, then you may be a procrastinator.
What Are You Avoiding?
A lot of people are avoiding different things. People are avoiding exams, home improvements, and meetings. Many other people are avoiding basic things like saving money. We don’t know why, and we have yet to hear a good reason why, but people have this need to put off saving money!
People also like to put off planning for the future. Maybe it’s the reality that today is here, and tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet, or maybe everything happening today is just more important, but it’s important that we stop avoiding the necessary things in life just because they are further up the road.
Ask any elderly person how fast their lives have passed by and they’ll typically snap their fingers. While retirement may seem far off, it is no excuse to put it off any longer, because before you know it you’ll be using a walker talking about the way things used to be.
Planning Isn’t Your Enemy
As tedious as it might be, planning isn’t your enemy. In fact, planning is your ally and can be your jail-break buddy if you plan correctly. Anything can be accomplished with a good enough plan. You might have heard the phrase “The only thing worse than a bad plan is no plan.”
Show me a successful person and I’ll show you a person who planned. It is true that everything will rarely ever go to plan, but imagine how good things would be if even 25% of the plans worked out? Just remember, each day you procrastinate is one day that you’ve lost, and will never get back.
As much fun as it is to fly by the seat of your pants, when disaster strikes it really is destructive. Make a commitment today to make some plans and stick to them. Anything will do. Make a short term plan and a long term. Commit to eating a salad. Just get started with a baby-step and you’ll be sprinting before you know it!
About WealthArtisan
The project I have been putting off is my photo albums. I have about 2.9 million pictures of my kids that I have to do something with. I am getting nervous because my son graduates in 2012 and so many parents give their kids an album of their kid’s lives. I gotta get my act together!!!
Hi Kris,
That sounds like a really lovely gift idea! My wife and I have been meaning to put together some photo albums as well. It’s one of those really enjoyable things that we just tend to put off. Don’t worry though, I know you’ll accomplish it. Maybe set a date where you know you’ve got a little free time?
Thanks,
Timothy
I would need about 4 years of free time, and the patience of a saint. Unfortunately, I have neither!
Thanks for the encouragement!
Planning is essential. Without long-term plans to guide us, and short-term plans for the immediate steps, we’ll have to rely on luck and good fortune to get us where we want to go.
I find that by thinking big picure – and I mean BIG picture – as my first step, it’s easier to have everything else follow. Once your goals are in front of you, and you can imagine how taking certain steps might get you there, it’s motivating and becomes easier to take action right away.
Another way to say it is: first figure out where you’re going, then decide how you’re going to get there. Then, you’re motivated to move forward, instead of sitting idle procrastinating, or running in circles.
Hey Squirrelers,
I couldn’t have said it better myself. Often, to figure out how to get somewhere, you need to look at the destination first, and choose the most logical path to reach it. It may sound too simple, but honestly, reaching goals is just like getting to any other destination except it takes longer, and instead of driving on roads, you’re using time as the streets and decisions as the turns.
Thanks,
Timothy
I am amazing at doing what Squirrelers talks about – thinking BIG picture – but then taking action is my problem. I will cloud my brain with a few great ideas/tasks and then accomplish nothing b/c I will sit there and let these things just float around in my head. I need to concentrate on one, pick one, attack one, execute ONE… one at a time. Multitasking has truly slowed me down more than anything.
Hello Finurlife,
Squirrelers is a very intelligent person with an excellent blog as well. Be sure to follow him so he can keep you updated. Try not to beat yourself up too much. This world wants everyone to be in a big busy rush, but force the world to slow down and operate at your pace. You’ll make better decisions, and feel less stressed.
Thanks,
Timothy
Your article speaks to one of my major problems, putting things off for later. This is something that has plagued me for a long, long time…………..
ok, im back, had to put this comment off until later, lol. I know bad humor.
But seriously, I do this waaaay to much and need to make more plans..well, not just make plans, but follow through with them. I am the master of notebooks, notes, comments, thoughts, but it is the follow up and through that has really derailed many of my dreams.
Well, today all that ends! In fact, I have to go so I can get some stuff done…RIGHT NOW!
Hey Freddie,
You’re not alone in this. Execution is the hardest part of any plan, especially if it is even slightly risky. Good work on your new found vigor, I hope you accomplish much.
Thanks,
Timothy
I am very very bad at this. I put off even simple things, like commenting as soon as I read
Recently I have been writing down “everything” that needs to be done, small or big… and then prioritize based on what is important to me and how long each task will take… also break down tasks if possible…I have been doing this only for the last month or so, have to finish a gazillion stuff before next week, hopefully I can get atleast half of them done…
I’m so lazy at planning my FUN, but not at all when it comes to finances. Weird like that.
I’m not avoiding anything this year though. It’s just hard for me to finish some things I start. If I can complete 3 main things this year, I’ll be happy!
Hey Sam,
It’s great that you have the opposite problem than most. Obviously, this is bad for you fun and enjoyment time, but financially you’ll be sitting pretty. Once you’ve got a vault full of money, I’m sure you’ll find a way to get better at planning your fun, lol!
Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks,
Timothy