I have a confession, the pictures on this post are almost a year old. In fact, it’s labeled as “HEEHOOLATEPOST” in the blog folder of my desktop. I’ve had it there for so long but I’ve been putting off posting because this time last year, I thought I was done with blogging only to be back a few months later.. and Christmas-y photos in February isn’t really the best way to make a comeback, no?
The thing with procrastinating is that you will always have reasons excuses for doing things later. Most of these actually seem like valid points too, example: I’m tired or I still got plenty of time, that I might as well attend to more pressing matters such as how to beat my top score or what’s the latest scoop in Hollywood (Stephen Amell, yumm) and pretty much a wide array of time fillers that seem legit and productive. One of the things I’m guilty of majorly procrastinating on, aside from not tidying up my room as much as I should, is putting off talking to people whether it be for a question, a compliment, a request, or for simply catching up. Sometimes I feel shy (paiseh lahhh) coz we’re not that close, but most of the time, it’s because I’m already foreseeing a rejection – be it in the form of silence or a direct no. This is a major no-no in life. No need to lecture me, I’ve already read several books and articles mentioning that the paralysing fear of failure is 100% effective in making us lose out on opportunities for growth and experience. I know it, yes, but I can’t help but feel differently as it occurs. The other things I “need” to do seem more doable or urgent that I stop, drop, and roll on to the next task. I try to counter this attitude by recalling similar situations in the past, coz more often than not, the conversations I’ve tried so hard to avoid end with a sense of accomplishment, or at the very least, a wave of relief. Like the John Mayer song, it’s better to say too much than never say what you need to say.
So, I’ll let you in on the challenge I have for myself: to put off procrastination. Procrastinate procrastination, if you will. This entails not being afraid to hear the word “no”. This means speaking up and not being trapped in my what ifs. Because in the words of My Bestfriend’s Wedding: otherwise, the moment just passes you by. And time, my dear, is not something we have unlimited amounts of. The same goes for chores too!
I read that changing your mindset does wonders for these so called hassles. Focus on the whys. In this life, you can’t only limit yourself to doing the things you love, but (!) you can sprinkle some love in all that you do. Find that reason and it will bring you fulfilment. The possibility of accomplishment wins over the fear of rejection every single time – harness that energy! But this challenge isn’t all fun and positivity – it also means managing my time and my self well enough to allot both fully on certain activities and not being sidetracked. It’s about being able to set my priorities and sticking to them. This challenge requires a lot of self-discipline. But like I said, focus on the why and the how will be more bearable. I challenge you to do the same and I’d love to hear your tips on stopping procrastination at the comments section, too.
xx