HTL 009: The Benefits of Procrastination

 

The Benefits of Procrastination

You have probably procrastinated once or twice – or a lot – in your life. Everyone has procrastinated on something and probably often.

Procrastination is often associated with irresponsibility, laziness, worthlessness, or even defiance. Those are all sorts of negative attributes and no one likes to think of themselves in that light.

But what does procrastination mean? Why does it happen to us?

This is what I have come to know: Procrastination is the opposite of momentum.

Positive momentum is when you are in the flow. You are feeling good, your energy is good, you are moving easily and happily, and things are getting done without effort. There is no resistance in your stream.

But if there is some resistance in a task that you are faced with then things slow down. If there is a lot of resistance…here comes procrastination…or paralysis. The opposite of momentum!

It is often encouraged to fight through resistance. Often we are told that when we really don’t feel like it that is the time to push back and break through your walls.

I never resonated with that philosophy even though I did it a lot.

Can you effort your way through discomfort and accomplish something? Yes, you can. You can even have moderate success, but it’s kind of the hard way and it is definitely not as fun or as satisfying as when you line up the energy first, gain some positive momentum, and then act.

Procrastinating is a sign that your energy is not lined up in the best way it can be before taking on the task. You just haven’t prepared properly.

Procrastination is Actually Wisdom

So now that you know procrastination is not a negative reflection of you, you are going to really like this perspective I have about it:

Procrastination is the wisdom to not move on to something that you are not vibrationally ready for.

You are not lazy, irresponsible, a flake, or defiant. You are wise!

So, Wise One, use that wisdom of yours and line up your energy and watch how easily you complete your tasks.

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Thank you for listening and have a great week!

YOU GOT THIS!

Resources

Here are 10 tips you can try to get positive momentum flowing.

  1. Make a list.
  2. If necessary, make a list of each project rather than a general to-do list. Break it down into smaller chunks if it feels more manageable.
  3. Prioritize the list.
  4. Decide if something is really important or necessary. If necessary, can it be altered to make it more manageable? Are there unnecessary rules you created for yourself that really aren’t important?
  5. Decide NOT to do something that isn’t a priority. Scratch that off the list!
  6. Pretend you are going to outsource the job and write instructions for someone who is going to do it exactly the way you want it done. Sometimes, writing it out, or explaining the process, or even visualizing it makes you realize you CAN do it. And often we don’t expect the same perfectionism from someone else so we make it simpler for them. Give yourself that same break.
  7. Get yourself in the right mindset before you sit down to the task. Get yourself feeling as calm and relaxed as you can. Mentally prepare. Psyche yourself up. Words don’t count! It’s how it feels!
  8. Schedule a time you are going to start, and ease into it. Start with what feels easiest. As momentum picks up, it will be easier to finish what is left.
  9. Take breaks even if it is to get a drink of water. If the job feels tedious, take more breaks with the intention of continuing after the break. If you are in the flow, then keep going!
  10. Celebrate the completion of things! Acknowledge your success! You controlled this situation, it did not control you!

Here are a couple of other podcast episodes that you may also enjoy.

The Importance of a Rested Mind, Body, and Soul