Procrastination may be a thief...

byJessicaN

242 followers

Updated 10 years ago

This was originally a reply to a fellow WA participant, but posting it as a blog, with a few changes, may be useful for other folks too!

It’s very easy to get sidetracked ; it happens to me all the time, but the nature of my business is listening to and helping people (and, as it turns out, animals) and I tend to follow where I’m led these days – seems to be important right now. I am sure the Universe will let up on its demands for me soon and I will be able to focus on my own projects again.

Meanwhile, here are a few tips I've found to help one stay on track:

Meditate when you start your day. Often priorities become clearer as you take a few minutes to centre yourself. You can also use techniques such as self-hypnosis or binaural beats - I don't, but hear from others that do that these can be highly effective.

Make a list of the things you want to get done that day. Don't scrimp. Then go over your list and decide what the most important things are and put those at the top and focus on them. Recently I heard someone say "let the Universe take care of the other things," but I figure giving tasks a three-day limit can work wonders in the amount that can be accomplished; if it's not done on Day One, move it to the list for the next day, and to the top of the list on Day Three. If it still isn't done, then let the Universe handle it - you obviously have more pressing things to accomplish!

Look at your energy level. When do you have your best creative energy? That's when you focus on business stuff. You don't need to be your most brilliant self when sifting through your emails. Do that when your energy is ebbing.

There will be days when you're in "boss mode" (planning strategies, getting and implementing information, following & creating leads, etc.) and days when you're in "employee mode" (doing the paper work, running errands, etc.) If you're aware of these and use them, you will find you are more efficient and less likely to feel overwhelmed by things.

Focus is wonderful, but sometimes you need to take a break. Taking a break can actually enhance creativity. When I'm working, I get up and make tea, for example. Because the dog is on a feeding schedule, I will often be making tea when I feed her - double duty so that I don't have constant interruptions.(Social media is okay as a break, but you need to be very disciplined about it and you will still need to get up and move your body. If you don't have a rebounder, I highly recommend it! I also teach dance, so my body gets a workout regularly.)

As my husband likes to point out, the housework will still be there. I don't try to do it all at once, but break it up. I might throw a load in the washer or dishwasher during one of my breaks, then transfer the laundry during another (no one will run off with it if it takes a few hours!) Or I will clean the toilet, sink and maybe bathtub during a bathroom break. Consider making use of a slow-cooker for meals (you can make two or three days' worth of meals at once). Lovely "peasant-style" dishes, such as ratatouille, Irish stew, beef Bourguinon are three great meals. You can also make fabulous vegetarian dishes this way too. Get a big container (I have a long Tupperware one) and clean and cut all your lettuce at once. That way you have the basis for a nice healthy salad to add a few fresh veggies to. Well, I used to have a restaurant so I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea....hahaha

When you first have an idea, all that fire and inspiration is great. Even if you can consistently work on things, most of us hit a kind of wall at about 80 - 90% completion of a project. That's where you have to just push on through, to the best of your ability. Be good to yourself during this time. There is new energy waiting to spring forth once that project is complete. Just do it. It may not be "perfect" but if you've put your heart and soul in it, it will be "excellent." (and the truth is, at that moment of completion, given all the elements, it IS perfect! I was 95% finished my first e-book when I originally wrote this. Alpha version is out and circulating. It's called "Goddess: To Know Herself - Portraits of the Divine Feminine.: Let me know if you want a copy.)

Learn to recognize when you genuinely need to put your focus somewhere else for awhile. I've been on a real learning curve lately, plus navigating the height of our busy catering season. I was feeling a little "lost at sea," - reconsidering the original plans for my website, etc. - so I asked for guidance. This morning I awoke with the answer "you're still dealing with your lost children. Why don't you invite them to join your creative team instead of stressing about why they left?" (Two of my kids died from illnesses, 10 years apart.) It was as though a great weight was lifted from me - brilliant! They were both amazing people while they were here and I know things will move much more smoothly with the "extra help" from the spiritual realm.

So, most of all, if you "fall off the wagon," don't beat yourself up! When we fall under the sway of our marvelous minds, we sometimes miss the messages from other parts of ourselves and our lives. Be kind to yourself and all those other parts will share their particular wisdom with you.