Today I’ve walked the beach, worked with 3 clients, worked on a puzzle (it’s what I do when I’m sorting things out), responded to email and a bunch of other small tasks including cleaning out the junk drawer. It sounds like a full day and it was except today was my writing afternoon and I have no words on the page (well technically now I do).
Ever had the experience of needing to do some mundane task like laundry or vacuuming instead of the task at hand? Me either
I procrastinate, particularly when it comes to writing – which is odd because I like to write – and bookkeeping – which I do NOT like to do, but I’ve hired someone else to do.
I sit down look at the blank page and suddenly it becomes very important to order Jakes Bravecto (it’s on auto-ship!), clean out my junk drawer or check in on social media. We all know the rabbit hole that can be!
Today as I pulled the drawer out and dumped it onto the counter, my mental chatter was squealing ‘What are you doing!’. I paid no heed and began sifting through the junk. After about 15 minutes I stopped, left the assorted elastics, candles, batteries, and whatnots on the counter, went up to my office, did some energy work, and sat down at my desk to banish the blank page with some words.
Experts define procrastination as the voluntary delay of some important task that we intend to do, despite knowing that we’ll suffer as a result. The latest research is showing that it’s likely that procrastination has its roots in an inability to manage emotions.
It’s a coping mechanism to temporarily relieve stress with the underlying belief that at some point in the future you will be better prepared emotionally to deal with the task at hand. It actually causes more stress and the cycle continues.
The frontal systems in our brain that house our executive functions like self-regulation, emotional control, impulsivity, and planning are less active when we procrastinate.
The mental tools that could most help us manage procrastination are less available to us. All is not lost though! Using some of the energy work and mind-body tools that are available you can clear your energy and get it moving. Shifting your perspective and noticing/naming what you’re up to can help engage your executive functions and get the task done. In my experience pretty quickly once you tune in to it.
I’ve had a lot of change in the past couple of months and with change comes stress, even if it’s change you want. Writing is a little vulnerable for me. It’s taken me a few years to lean in and develop my voice and it’s still tender.
Given my increased stress load I needed to process some of that energy before I could open up and create. I shifted my energy by doing some breathwork, a couple of rounds of tapping, Emotional Freedom Technique (you can grab my free self-love tapping sequence here) and some webwork which took all told less than 10 minutes. I do love that there are an abundance of tools available…..remembering to use them that’s another story.
I did spend a couple of hours putting words to the page, writing this newsletter, and part of a longer article, now I need to go downstairs and clean up the mess from my empty junk drawer.
Take a few minutes this is great to do while you do dishes, shower, drive or errrmm well while you procrastinate. Ask yourself what’s underneath the procrastination is it Fear? Uncertainty? Grief? Stress? Overwhelm? Use the tools you have to help clear the energy and get back on task.
Please tell I’m not alone! Click comment and share your procrastination breakthroughs?