As 2012 unfolds and we begin by setting goals, hopes, resolutions, plans, dreams, etc. We set our priorities early on, and then find it difficult to keep to our plans, stick to our goals and realize our hopes and dreams. Today’s message is about setting and keeping priorities so that you can, in fact, feel and be truly successful. This is the time of year when we feel that we are starting with a clean slate, an open playing field… all things are possible; from shedding excess weight, changing jobs, getting organized, saving money, eating healthier, and the list goes on and on.
What then, gets in the way? What interferes with your best laid plans? What causes the ‘overwhelm’ that makes you shut down or fall short of your goals, hopes and dreams? Let’s start with that dreaded word: procrastination… the definition of procrastination that I rely on is “self-punishment”. Whenever we have something to do, take care of or handle, and we don’t do it, we carry the burden of it. As long as we are carrying burdens, we are punishing ourselves. This is really not how most of us want or plan to start a new year, but as I’ve stated many times, old habits die hard. In effect, procrastination leads to feelings of “overwhelm “, stress, exhaustion, disappointment, frustration, etc. Any wonder why we end up stopping before we even get out of the starting gate?!
Today, let’s start with small steps. Pick one thing that you can do today. It might be a short walk, a phone call, an e-mail that needs to be sent, or a healthy meal. It doesn’t really matter the depth or breadth of the task, it just matters that it gets done. Once you do it, STOP! BREATHE! FOCUS! Congratulate yourself! Job well done! Acknowledge it! Write it down! Make it real by validating it. You will not achieve your bigger goals, dreams and plans if you do not take care of the little ones. So, today, start with something that you can count as ‘done’! William James said: “nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task”. Let’s maximize the energy created by starting with what feels like a clean slate, and complete at least one task. Feel the shift in your energy as this one thing gets done.
I decided to write today because I have been putting off doing this for a few weeks. Lots of excuses, but of course, when we have excuses we do NOT have the results we are looking for. So today, for me writing this became my 1 thing I could accomplish. Next Wednesday, (Jan 11) Carmel-Ann and I will be hosting our FREE teleseminar and guess what, it’s all about priorities, procrastination and how to stop the “overwhelm”. Please join us so you can stay focused on your goals, establish your priorities and take that step into the life you deserve. Martin Luther King, Jr. said: “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
Check back for additional tips and strategies for overcoming the overwhelm in your life and leaving procrastination back in 2011… This is also a great place to post your thoughts and suggestions for others as to what works for you in staying focused and on point… If you’re interested in next week’s program, you can sign up here: http://www.beingwellwithin.com/seminars-workshops/teleseminar-priorities/
Wishing you a healthy, successful, joyful and procrastination-free year…
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