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Procrastination vs. Fear
February 21, 2017
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I used to hate getting automated HR emails like this:
Dear Dan,
This email is to remind you that you are now 11 days late in completing (Insert name of pointless, 3-hour recorded corporate training module that will do little to expand my learning or make me a better employee for the company. If I was lucky the recorded module would at least include cheesy, badly acted office vignettes about workplace sensitivity that I could quietly snicker at. At worst, it was a straight up narrated slide deck which was the equivalent of going to Sherwin Williams and watching paint dry).
The email was usually followed by a "gentle" reminder from my market manager about how I needed to do the training ASAP.
Why did I procrastinate? Because the training wasn't something I found interesting and there were 300 more pressing things that would positively impact my radio station's success that day. Whatever aspect of the music business you work in, you probably run into the same challenge.
I believe "procrastination" is a more socially acceptable way to say "The assignment in front of me is boring as hell and I will look for any reason to not do it."
However, what's interesting is how often we use procrastination as an excuse to put off the things that will bring us more fulfillment. If you are being honest with yourself, there is at least one area of your life where you told yourself things would be different by now. A year ago, you promised yourself by today you would
Have found a new job that better utilizes your talents...
Left the relationship that no longer serves you...
Started writing the book you've always talked about...
Lost the weight and take your health more seriously...Yet, here you are 52 weeks later still feeling stuck and no closer to your goals.
If procrastination is about delaying the things which suck your energy, it can't also be the barrier to doing the things you love. That doesn't make sense.
To get "unstuck" and create momentum towards our biggest goals, we need to be radically honest and talk about the real, underlying cause of inaction.
Fear.
We are scared to leave the comfort zone of our current job and pursue the work we really want to do because we're scared of failure. It's feels safer to stay where we are, allowing our dreams to forever remain a dream.
We are afraid to set boundaries with our schedule. If we begin to say NO to other people and say YES to ourselves, we are afraid it will cause conflict with the people whose approval we want most. It may ultimately lead to rejection.
For many, they're afraid to even tell people about what we really want because they feel unworthy to have it.
If you are serious about making big changes in your life, the conversation we need to have is not a surface level talk about procrastinating. Instead, we must go deeper and uncover the fear-based beliefs keeping you scared and paralyzed.
- Why do you feel unworthy?
- Why do you value other people's needs more than your own?
- Why are you waiting for other people's permission to live your dreams?
- Why do you fearfailure (which is just as necessary to our growth as success)?
Once you find these answers, you can begin to unlearn the limiting, subconscious beliefs holding you back and find the courage to take massive action.
Because the only way to truly overcome fear is by taking courageous action every day.
Is now the right time to stop putting off your dreams? Is now the time to stop blaming other people for why you are stuck? Is now the right time to take accountability and design the life you want and deserve?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, simply email dan@creativesoulcoaching.net and schedule a FREE, 25-minute, Discovery Coaching Call. During this powerful coaching session, you and I will:
- Uncover the core belief that's holding you back from your best life.
- Examine the root of this belief and help you understand how it's been meeting a need for you (in a disempowering way).
- Talk honestly aboutthe consequences of waiting another year, another month, or another week before making a change.
- Create your first, grounded action step towards overcoming fear and designing the life of your dreams
My great wish for you is to stop putting your happiness off into the future. You deserve it now! Email me today, schedule your session, and let's take the first step towards creating momentum!
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