3 Critical Questions to Ask When You’re Procrastinating
Published on 8 Sep 2008 at 8:09 am.
14 Comments.
Filed under Business Development, Feature Articles, Personal Development Strategies.
A few reasons why people come to me is because they feel stuck or because they know what they should be doing and they just don’t do it. They feel frustrated, stressed out, and often angry at themselves which only makes them feel worse.
They think that procrastination is a bad habit so they judge themselves harshly.
Not all procrastination is problematic. In fact, there are reasons why people hesitate to take action that are valid.
A good reason to take it slow is when you need more information or clarity in order to make an informed decision. While it might appear as if you’re dragging your feet, rushing forward impulsively or without the information you really need to say YES can cost you time, money, and energy. And if you’re the type of person who tends to make emotional decisions you often regret, having some boundaries such as waiting 24 hours before saying YES can be empowering.
So what about those times when you’re just not sure why you feel stuck?
Asking three important questions can clarify why you might not be moving forward.
1. Is this the right and best time for that goal, intention or desire to happen? You might have a dream of exponentially growing your business to open your flow of abundance. Timing can be an important element in reaching a desirable result. Market trends, cash flow, adding new target markets, reorganization, the economy….all affect timing. What are the factors you need to consider when implementing action?
Stay alert to fear-based excuses and reasons you might be using to say, “It’s not the right time” when it really is!” One other thing to consider is the Universal Law of Divine Timing. I encourage folks to tune into their spirit and intuition when making choices. When we partner with the Universe, things flow much better than when we don’t!
2. Is this the right goal? Is it something you really want? Or is it something you think you should want or what others want for you? This is a revealing question. So often I see people saying they want something and when they dig deeper, they realize it’s more of a should rather than a passion or deep desire. Anthony Robbins says, “People are not lazy. They simply have impotent goals— that is, goals that do not inspire them.” When we are fully on board with a decision to have something we truly desire, we can become unstoppable.
3. Do you have room in your life for … more clients, a relationship, greater business success….? Do you have the time for it? Do you have the systems and structures to handle the extra business? You might want to have a relationship and you have so many demands in your life that you don’t really have the time and energy for someone new. A colleague told me about a woman who desired a new romantic relationship. She redid her bedroom and made room in her home in preparation of meeting someone special (which she did!). Consider what might need to shift to open space for what you say you want and take action!
PS - There’s still time to register for my new tele-coaching and mentorship group beginning Sept 9. for 12 weeks and say YES to your dreams and desires. Experience having a team to cheer you on, celebrate your successes, and hold you to your best by combining spiritual principles with business practices. Learn to transform negative beliefs, fear, and self-sabotage like negative procrastination!
Reserve your spot NOW: http://tinyurl.com/636en2
Have a terrific week!
Lorraine
www.powerfull-living.biz
Ari Koinuma on 8 Sep 2008 at 12:07 pm: 1
Good points. Procrastinations can be just another sign that your resources are depleted — even when you don’t want to postpone your actions, you can’t bring yourself to do it because you are depleted. I wrote on this issue here:
http://ourbestversion.com/2008/08/why-you-cant-do-what-you-love/
ari
lorraine on 8 Sep 2008 at 9:51 pm: 2
Great reminder Ari
I’m a believer in the importance of self- care as a system of self-nurturing as well as supporting our energy to be productive.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your post!
Cheers,
Lorraine
Lola Fayemi / Nourishment for your spiritual awakening on 10 Sep 2008 at 5:22 am: 3
Hi Lorraine
Great article, I have come to see it’s not necessarily a bad thing and being OK with it means it shows up in my life less. I especially like no.3, do you have enough room?
This one I have found key for my journey as many times what I want and what I can handle are 2 different things. It’s like even though I may not be aware enough to make that decision for myself, the Universe is and does.
About 6 months ago, I felt ready for more clients and really put it out there but nothing was coming in. The following week I got my dog and it threw my life temporarily into chaos. There was no way I could have coped wit an increased client load at that time, but I only realised that in hindsight.
In love, light and abundance x x x
Lola
lorraine on 10 Sep 2008 at 7:32 am: 4
Hi Lola
Do you have enough room is a question people don’t always ask. It’s a great reminder that if our lives, minds, and homes are cluttered or too booked, they don’t have the space to receive. It might be a nudge to clear things out!
Cheers,
Lorraine
GreatManagement on 10 Sep 2008 at 10:44 am: 5
Lorraine
Your three questions are excellent and just right.
However, I do not believe in procrastination. I find it quite negative.
I believe in priorities.
As you mention, AR says, ‘People are not lazy’. Generally, they are not which means they are not procrastinating.
So 1, it’s not a priority for them right now.
2, if you don’t want it, it will not be a priority.
3, if you don’t have room, it’s not a priority, otherwise you would find the time.
How many people say ‘I don’t have time to do…’ and then slump in front of the TV all night?
Too many but that’s because the TV is their priority and their choice.
Wow, I enjoyed that!
Andrew
Evelyn Lim on 10 Sep 2008 at 7:04 pm: 6
Hi Lorraine,
I’ve only just began to realize how important it is to have space before one can allow for new stuff and experiences to come in. It’s such a revelation to me!
Thanks for sharing this post,
Evelyn
Goal Setting College on 10 Sep 2008 at 9:53 pm: 7
Hi Lorraine,
I wholeheartedly agree with you on #2. Lethargy, procrastination are some of the indications by our subconscious that we’re not feeling too right about our goals. Taking the initiative to review, like what you’ve suggested will not only help iron things out, but also help to rekindle that fire that’ll just kills procrastination by itself.
Thanks for the great insights.
Cheers,
Ellesse
Click A Life Coach on 10 Sep 2008 at 10:05 pm: 8
Hi Lorraine;
Thanks for the post. We are talking about this with our clients quite often as well.
One aspect we look at is the question: Is this in alignment with your purpose? Which you basically covered in 2).
Success Is Yours
Thomas
lorraine on 10 Sep 2008 at 10:27 pm: 9
LOL Andrew
I like your point about - is it a priority? I would add that when we value something, have passion for it in our lives, we are less willing to live without it.
Warmly,
Lorraine
lorraine on 10 Sep 2008 at 10:30 pm: 10
Absolutely Thomas
There are a few ways to ask the same question to help people evaluate if what they say they want is really where they have passion and purpose. I think it’s a great way to filter out confusion and outside influences.
Thanks for adding your thoughts
Warmly,
Lorraine
lorraine on 10 Sep 2008 at 10:34 pm: 11
I love how you put that Ellesse
Nice to hear back from you too! I find that as I open up to what’s next, continuing to check in at each new phase keeps me aligned with my spirit, my desires, and my purpose.
Blessings,
Lorraine
lorraine on 10 Sep 2008 at 10:38 pm: 12
Good for you Evelyn
I’ve been witnessing all the ways you are becoming more in touch with who you are through your own blog posts and you comments here. I continue to learn new things all the time especially in the subtleties- the ways in which the messages are so subtle I can easily miss them, which I do!
Love the journey!
Take care
Lorraine
Brennan Kingsland on 12 Sep 2008 at 1:38 pm: 13
When I find myself procrastinating the most is when I have a vision in my mind that not clear enough.
If I devote the energy to clearly figure out all the details, everything seems to fall in place and move me along.
Anything else seems to fall into the category of wishful thinking.
lorraine on 12 Sep 2008 at 1:51 pm: 14
Good for you Brennan
I can tell you’ve come to know yourself pretty well to recognize the certains signals.
Without clarity we can stumbling around in confusion and overwhelm too.
Your comments are always so rich and thoughtful!
Have a great weekend Brennan
Lorraine