Insight
Hard now, easy later : My path to handling procrastination
Hello Resilient Readers,
Welcome back to the world of pragmatic dreams, where I share my life experiences to establish a guide to forging a path of determination and growth. It has been several weeks since I last posted as multiple life events have kept me occupied and eventually led me to a holistic understanding I'd like to share with you.
Embrace the friction of hard to live an easy life
I recently learned the hard way the consequences of pushing to tomorrow what can be done today, including taking difficult decisions and facing the hard conversations. When you avoid a hard conversation or task, you're taking on a debt that has to be repaid (with interest) at a date in the future. Time doesn't fix anything when it comes to relationships or growth. Making minor repairs along the way helps avoid the major repairs later on, even if a minor repair means letting go off a friend or partner. I understood my well being and success is proportional to the number of hard conversations I am willing to have. I was brought up in a rather traditional environment where highlighting sensitive topics, hurting feelings and being unconventional was not perceived well. I was potentially prone to develop a mindset of non-risk taking, remaining in the safest and most comfortable zone, avoiding failures and eventually missing out on life accomplishments.
I have been a victim of procrastination naturally, and I feel I was by default programmed for it. To this day, I consistently hack my mind to counter stalling behaviors. Over the years, I have progressively built different versions of myself to fight procrastination and embrace the hard path for a more rewarding future.
Hard now, easy later
It's an interesting paradox that doing hard things makes life easier. When we embrace voluntary struggle, we’re better equipped for the involuntary struggle that inevitably comes. So I wake up early, I get cold, I move fast, I lift heavy, I focus, try to be present and aim to have the difficult conversations sooner rather than later.
Procrastination is a thief of time and potential. It lures us into a false sense of comfort, delaying tasks that, if tackled promptly, could propel us forward. My problem was not laziness but the fear of failure that held me back. Here is what I use to combat my own self:
*Set Clear Goals: all broken down into tasks with achievable wins
*Create a Schedule: allocate specific times for each task. My routine is so dear to me, it became my number one life principle. It builds momentum and discipline- undefeatable over time
*Practice Self-Compassion: I will not attain perfection and I don't aim for it. I accept the mistakes and want to learn from them
The journey over the outcomes
In my pursuit of goals, it's crucial to celebrate the efforts I make rather than solely focusing on the results. The journey itself is a significant part of my growth and development. Here's why celebrating effort matters to me:
*It helps me foster resilience: I acknowledge my work, regardless of the outcome, builds inner strength and resilience.
*It encourages my consistency: recognizing the effort put into consistent actions helps me maintain momentum and dedication.
*It reduces pressure: shifting the focus from outcomes to efforts reduces the pressure of achieving perfect results, allowing for a healthier mindset.
*It promotes my learning: celebrating effort emphasizes the importance of learning and growth over simply reaching a destination.
Final Thoughts
Consistently fighting procrastination, choosing the hard path for future ease, and facing tough conversations head-on are not just strategies for success—they are principles that shape a life of resilience. Remember, the journey and the efforts we put into our endeavors are just as important, if not more so, than the outcomes we achieve. It's the challenges we face and overcome that define our growth and pave the way for a brighter future.
Stay steadfast, embrace the journey, and let perseverance be your guide.
Until next time, keep dreaming pragmatically