In my ongoing research on Procrastination I’ve recently identified a new variation on why we put things off. Previous types include:
- Not knowing what needs to be done
- Not wanting to do it
- Not serious/Acceptable consequences
- Adrenaline rush
Here’s another:
- Lack of Commitment.
Let me give you an example. An online business owner, let’s call her Liz, gets an idea to create a new free gift for people who sign up for her newsletter. She knows that others are successful with videos so that is her plan – to create a useful video. She starts a script, makes a few notes, and that’s as far as it gets. Another contribution to the idea graveyard.
Liz isn’t fully committed, and without that drive the project will never take shape.
This variation has elements of the first 2 types of Procrastination. The steps and outcome are not completely clear (but when are they ever?) and she’s holding it in a kind of limbo– not fully going for it, but not rejecting it either. Somewhere in between.
This kind of lukewarm non-choice can feel like a fog. I’m not really sure what I want. I don’t have the energy to go after my dreams. What if I’m wrong? And in the extreme the result can be a wasted life full of regrets
But we can do something about it.
If you recognize this state of mind in yourself– this hanging back and not fully committing yourself, take look at your Not Done list. Identify the items that you really have energy for. Cross out the things that are never going to happen. Be ruthless. I like to tell myself that in a parallel universe I’m doing this. It’s not going to happen in this one but somewhere I’m learning to tango and studying calculus.
It is liberating to make decisions. When those “Never Gonna Happen” items get removed from your list and you focus only on the items you care about you can make significant advances. (Tweet this)
Another way to propel your progress is to actively choose. Take a look at the things you say you want. Ask yourself, “If I could have this, would I choose it?” Surprising insights come up when you ask this question. Sometimes you get a NO. Sometimes the desired item may need modification. When your inner voice says YES to the question then say, I choose this.
Actively choosing sends a powerful message. If you aren’t familiar with the famous Goethe quotation you’re in for a treat, and if you are it bears repeating.
