Overcome Procrastination with Positivity—And Just Do the Damn Thing!

Let’s talk about procrastination: it’s not your friend.  You may feel like procrastinating shields you from what will happen if you move forward, but let me tell you—it never works. I used to be an experienced procrastinator—I have the credentials.

For Most of My Life, I Lived in Fear

I was the QUEEN of being inspired to take action, then never following through.  I’d scroll through social media and compare myself to others, wondering how they are so much further along than I am.  This is not where I expected myself to be at 40.  Over the past year I have been tearing down old habits I was stuck in and replacing them with positive action to make the most impact.  One of the worst habits that I have been unlearning, is procrastination.  I procrastinated out of fear and self-doubt, making excuses as to why I couldn’t do something and focusing on the what if’s of every negative outcome imaginable.  This has been quite the process to unlearn, and I’d be lying if  I said I have completely changed.  You can’t wipe away half a lifetime run by fear in less than a year.  But, moving forward, I’m doing the work, and I’m taking action to create a life that I am in charge of.  I’ve learned that change doesn’t happen overnight, but every step I take forward is progress. It’s about making the choice to act, even when fear and doubt are trying to hold me back.

If I can do it, so can you – So let’s dive in!

When we want to change a habit, we often focus on the negative outcomes of continuing down the same path.  Procrastination has a laundry list of negative repercussions.  Let’s take a look.

• You assume the worst.
  You start imagining the worst possible outcome, even though it hasn’t even happened yet.

• You create unnecessary anxiety, worry, and stress.
  By putting things off, you add more mental clutter and stress until the deadline is staring you in the face.
• You let fear take control.
  Fear makes the decisions for you, keeping you stuck in a loop instead of taking action.
• You create negative energy that follows you every day.
  That feeling of unfinished tasks hangs over you, draining your energy and focus.
• You feel inadequate.
  Consistently putting things off makes you doubt your ability to get things done. It’s a confidence killer.
• You experience guilt and regret.
  You know you could’ve started earlier, and now you’re left with guilt and the nagging feeling of wasted time.
• Your productivity takes a dive.
  The more you procrastinate, the less you get done. Simple as that.
• Your work suffers.
  Rushing to get things done at the last minute means your work quality will take a hit.
• You turn the task into a bigger deal.
  The longer you wait, the bigger and scarier the task seems in your head. You’re basically making it harder than it needs to be.

I could go on and on about how procrastination damages every aspect of life, BUT we’re not here to dwell on the negative. That is NOT what Miss Fortune Blog is about. So, let’s shift our focus to the positives instead.

The Power of Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement fuels progress and transformation. It’s much more powerful to focus on the amazing things that happen when we take action, rather than dwelling on the negative consequences of not doing so.

So, let’s flip the script.

What Happens When You DON’T Procrastinate:

• You stop assuming the worst.
  No one knows what’s going to happen, so why not assume good things? Expect positive outcomes and watch how much easier life feels.
• You ditch the stress and worry.
  Putting things off only piles on the anxiety. When you take action, you free yourself from all that unnecessary mental baggage.
• You don’t let fear control you.
  Fear makes the decisions for you, but when you act, you take back control. You’re in charge, not your fears.
• You take back your energy.
  Stop wasting time and energy worrying. Instead, focus on what’s really important and use that energy to do something meaningful.
• You feel empowered.
  There’s a real sense of power in handling what’s in front of you. You prove to yourself that you’re more than capable of tackling whatever comes your way.
• You become more efficient.
  With a clear, focused mind, you get things done faster and better, without wasting time or getting stuck in overthinking.
• You feel proud of yourself.
  Completing that task you’ve been avoiding brings a real sense of accomplishment and boosts your confidence.
• You prevent things from snowballing.
  When you take action early, tasks don’t get bigger and scarier in your mind. You stop them from becoming bigger problems—in reality or just in your head.

Anyone can ditch their negative mindset and shift into a positive perspective, but it does take time to rewire your brain.  Remember to practice patience with yourself and celebrate each victory, no matter how small. 

So, whatever it is that you’ve been putting off—for whatever reason—push forward, believe in yourself, and just DO THE DAMN THING! 

Your Life is Waiting!  What Will You Do Today to Take Control and Stop Procrastinating?