“Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination: never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” ~Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield

As we so fluently approach yet another new year, thoughts of plans, goals, and intentions are flying about like bees on honey in the summer. People everywhere are making resolutions and giving themselves pep talks for the upcoming attempts at getting slimmer, making more money, and being better humans in general. I started thinking about how most of this type of behavior happens at set points in time that society has created as the ultimate diving boards for such endeavors. You have New Year’s, birthdays, Monday, next month… all future times that we rely on to mark the time that we get our asses in gear.

I’m asking, “Why wait to change or be better?”

There really is only now, you know. What would happen if we always just executed our ideas of self-improvement now instead of waiting until some “perfect” time that really isn’t perfect at all? Are we really that addicted to tradition and procrastination? Hey, I’m guilty of this as much as the next person. And, I also understand when you simply can’t do something because it’s not the right time or you have to wait until you get a clear thumbs up from the universe. That’s not what I’m talking about.

I guess I just get irritated at people who treat their bodies like hell for 10 or 11 months of the year, and, then, set some rigid eating and fitness plan into motion on January 1st… or 2nd, depending on how much they drank on the 31st. Wouldn’t it be better to just do what you need to be healthy for 12 months of the year, treat yourself occasionally, and stop the self-abuse once and for all?  Maybe what I’m really talking about is discipline and not procrastination.

Wouldn't it be better to just do what you need to be healthy for 12 months of the year, treat yourself… Click To Tweet

After all, putting things off is a symptom of something else, isn’t it? What do you think it is that causes so much putting off? Fear. Laziness. Pride. Low self-esteem. Because that’s the way I’ve done things.

Hmmm… maybe all of the above.

So, what can we do about it?

1. Be present in the moments of your life. If you find yourself trying to do multiple things at once, like text and drive, watch TV while your spouse or kids are talking to you, read a book while talking to your best friend, rushing through your meal because you want to get on to the next task, thinking of your “to do” list when someone is spilling their guts to you over the phone, rethink your priorities at that very moment. Give each task and person your undivided attention. Yeah, you know what I’m talking about. And, the busier we get, the more important it is to slow down and pay attention to each moment.
2. Give new intentions and ideas your savvy planning skills. Don’t just shove them in a drawer or journal for a future date. Yes, some of them will need to wait, but not all of them. Break your plan down into small doable steps that will move you closer to the end result each day.
3. Enjoy the journey. Look, I am a results driven person, so I know that it is hard to slow down for the experience along the way. But, I’ve learned that the thing at the end isn’t nearly as exciting as what happens on the path. Think Dorothy and the yellow brick road…
4. Remove the following words from your vocabulary: someday, I’ll try, can’t, might, just… these are a few that I became very aware of. They are words that promote lack of commitment.
5. Commit to your plans fully. Think cannonball into the water. Make a decision and follow through. You may not execute it perfectly, but who cares! Perfect is so last year!!!!! And, jump in now instead of waiting. The pool may close on you while you are contemplating your jump.

Well, obviously, this is a short list that could be much longer, but I value your time and my own. The point is to start being more present and try to catch yourself going into the procrastination cycle. The best defense is to not be there.

“My evil genius Procrastination has whispered me to tarry ’til a more convenient season.” ~Mary Todd Lincoln

What things do you often procrastinate and why? Tell us your badass procrastination solutions!

xo Kellie Rae