Lessons from the Universe – 5 EASY STEPS TO MOVE THROUGH PROCRASTINATION

The definition of procrastination is “the action of delaying or postponing something.” Within the definition itself we are being called to action, an action that we know we need to take, and yet we delay it, postpone it and make excuses, putting off the inevitable… there are oh-so-many reasons why we can’t get to that right now!

Fall is an interesting time of year for me.

To be completely transparent, it’s my least favorite season. For me it’s message is that winter is imminent, and whether I chose to admit it or not, summer is over. I love the summertime! I love that the sun doesn’t go down until almost 9pm. I love being outside by the pool, and most of all, I love the energy of people in general during the summer months. There is a more childlike vibration that I experience in summer. Oh summer, can’t we postpone the chill of fall for just a few weeks longer!?

During the fall I notice an energy of overwhelm creep in. I can almost feel everyone’s TODO lists filling up and there is this kind of pressure in people’s (especially mom’s) energy collectively – do you feel that too? Kind of a dreadful vibe?

As I do my own personal work, I know that this experience of the change in vibration is my opportunity to continue to be mindful. If I get tugged by the frequencies around me when I am aware, I don’t let myself get trapped by it. I ask myself, can I hold the vibration of how summer feels even as the tree’s branches lose their leaves (and some people lose their patience)?

Another message that fall brings is that nature does not procrastinate. I can’t talk the sun into waiting another hour to set so I have to surrender to the flow of it, Mother Earth adapts without resistance, surely I can as well.

If everything is in this flow, including us, what role does procrastination play in our lives – why do we even have this trait? It really doesn’t seem natural in comparison to the way the rest of the universe works. We don’t see the behavior played out in any other aspects of nature, only human nature.

Procrastination, in simple terms, is a way that the human psyche talks itself into staying the same. We don’t really like change, do we? The reason? Because change means we have to go into unfamiliar territory and this triggers fear so instead of going down the path of getting it (whatever it is) done, we decide to put it off. . . As frustrating as this can seem to our analytical mind, our systems are set up to stay the same.

Here are 5 tips to help you get stuff done and stop procrastinating;

Admit you are procrastinating when you keep putting something off. Awareness of our present state of being is the key to making a change in behavior. As you come to terms with the fact that you indeed have been procrastinating, be mindful not to judge yourself.

Be grateful for the aspect of you that does play the waiting game. When I realize that’s the part that wants me to stay safe I am able to release self-criticism because it’s my ally! The goal is to manage it better so I can use the energy to propel me forward instead of stop me in my tracks.

Set an appointment with yourself to get it done. How many times have you told yourself you will get to it when you have time and then weeks or even months go by and you still have not found the time. You have to make the time! Put it on your calendar just like you would any other appointment.

Remember you are worth your own investment. When we procrastinate we are unconsciously letting our energetic system know that we aren’t putting ourselves’ first. This is kind of an esoteric concept, but if you can tap into the difference between what it feels like when you keep putting things off and compare it to how it feels when you do get stuff done, you can understand what I mean by this. When we put ourselves first we send the universe the message that we are ready to receive more.

Celebrate your accomplishments. Taking time to acknowledge our achievements, no matter how seemingly small, creates a pathway to more motivation to get things done. It’s a way of training ourselves through positive reinforcement so the subconscious aspects of your mind that used to stall will begin to give way to the pleasure centers that enjoy reward.

As with anything, it may take some time for you to get out of the old habits, but if you follow these steps and be consistent you will experience less procrastination. And just like the seasons, you’ll be in a more natural flow, which brings ease and enjoyment to life!