The Pitfalls of Procrastination

by Angie Miller

Last week I blogged about New Year’s Goals, and this week I’m wondering how many of us have taken on those goals with a vengeance and how many are still procrastinating? Sometimes, when one of our goals seems daunting, so much so that we can’t bring ourselves to break it down into smaller, more manageable pieces, we are paralyzed by our own internal struggles. At the core of those struggles is often that doubting, nagging voice inside us that says that our goal is too challenging, something we don’t deserve, something we don’t have time for, or any other multitude of self-sabotaging thoughts. It’s those thoughts that stand in the way of us accomplishing that which propels us forward and helps us realize our dreams.

None of us wants to wake up one day and feel that we have let time slip away and we aren’t where we aspired to be. Life is too short to have regrets. So today, once and for all, it’s time to start start realizing our potential and attacking our goals. But in order to do that we first have to recognize why we procrastinate. Though the reasons are vast and varied, fear seems to be most compelling. When it comes to self-defeating behaviors that stand in the way of our goals, fear trumps.

Do we fear failure or success?

If procrastination is a means of self-sabotage, and it is, then fear is it’s greatest ally. Fear is that ugly beast that lurks unknowingly just under our consciousness and undermines our ability to succeed. Fear comes in two forms: Fear of success, and the flip side of the same coin, which is fear of failure.

If fear is our nemesis, how do we conquer it? Realize that fears are that which we create in our mind, so our mind is where we need to start.

1. Analyze your fears. Write them down on a piece of paper, evaluate them, and decide whether or not they are rational. Take a realistic look at what will happen if you succeed. What are all the potential outcomes? Remember that the more you own your fears the less power they have over you. When you take a good hard look, you may find that you can make your fears disappear just by accepting that they exist and recognizing that they’re bigger in your mind than they are on paper.

2. Take the first step. Set aside a small, manageable amount of time, 15 minutes or 30 minutes at the most. Set a timer, and then start tackling your goal. Your mission here is to break down the magnitude of that seemingly overwhelming goal, and to complete one task or one objective that gets you closer to your long-term goal. When the timer goes off, allow yourself permission to move on to something else. Chances are you’ll be immersed in your project and you won’t want to, but either way you took the first step and that’s always the hardest.

One step leads to the next, and just like weight loss, slow, consistent patterns of behavior lead to long-term results. When we face our fears and take that first step, we can realize our goals and maximize our potential. Remember, goals are the driving force behind our success and our ability to lead purpose driven lives.

Best to you in 2015!

Sincerely,

Angie

Angie Miller is the star and creator of the Bedroom Body™ Workout and other top selling exercise DVD’s. Passionate about fitness and education, Angie teaches at Northern Illinois University and is a Certification Specialist for the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). She is a freelance writer, group fitness instructor, personal trainer, and proud mom. Learn more about Angie at: http://www.angiemillerfitness.com