I have been thinking about the terrible issue called Procrastination. It is so detrimental to forward progress.

It is a hindrance to productivity and fruitfulness.

It is disobedience and rebellion.

It leads to laziness, overeating, lethargy, sluggishness, time wasting and depression and anxiety.

You will never fulfil your call or develop your gifts if you are a procrastinator. Your work will be shoddy and you will be unprepared.

It is fear-based, sometimes anger-based, as in passive aggression. It is a marl of someone who lacks confidence. It is an avoidance mechanism.

Can be caused by fear of failure or fear of success.

It is a failure to do what you know you should be doing.

Procrastinators do not begin working until the extreme pressure of a deadline comes. Because of their lack of preparation, the work that they do produce is shoddy, rushed, average, basic, NOT EXCELLENT!

They do not have the time to polish and add the ‘WOW’ factor.

They never prepare ahead and they avoid hard things, therefore they never place a demand on their gift and reach their full potential.

They avoid things they lack confidence in doing and they stay in the comfort zone. They make excuses.

I have been like this in the area of writing. However, since waking up early, setting a time to get dressed and then starting TOP 3 action items of the day I have seen great improvement. I am creating instead of simply consuming.

When writing or doing any hard thing I set the timer for 30 mins and just get started. I figure I can do anything for 30 mins. One of two things will happen. Either I will find nothing is happening or inspiring me today, in which case I set another time  to try again. Or, I get a great start on my project and make great headway. I am in the zone and I want to continue working. Great! Other times I surprise myself by finishing what I thought was going to be a hard task before 30 minutes is over. I either overestimated the time I would need or I underestimated my capacity to get it done. Either way, I win!  The creative flow is happening. So good.

Have you ever had a problem with procrastination? What tips or tricks have helped you to overcome? Please share in the comments section.