All too often the most difficult thing about any particular task is getting started. That is certainly the case when facing something challenging. It can also apply to the simplest of things.
The problem is that procrastination feeds anxiety and anxiety is a direct challenge to our mental wellbeing. We can face the predicament where more effort is put into avoiding doing something that needs to be done than the deed needs to see it through to completion. We can quite easily turn a molehill into a mountain.
One of the reasons for inaction is that we can fear success even more than we fear failure. Life has taught us to expect challenges and setbacks but we can be ill-prepared for positive outcomes.
Procrastination is not laziness. Rather it’s a deliberate decision. Faced with a situation, we make a choice. When the world says “go” we decide stop.
We find reasons for avoidance…excuses for ignorance.
Choosing not to face a situation or formulate a decision can build into a form of self-abuse. We add to the griefcase we are carrying through life. Whether we realise it or not at the time, we are choosing to add to our troubles.
Far better to deal with issues when they demand our attention and at the time they demand our attention.
It’s important to prioritise. There is no blanket answer to accumulated problems. And, rather than seeing a number of problems as one massive challenge, we should work on breaking things down into manageable pieces.
But, having decided on a plan of attack, action must then be taken. Action can be incremental…small steps but steps taking us closer to a solution.
If there is no way through then perhaps there can be a way around.
Gary Bentley Counselling 