"He who observes the wind [and waits for all conditions to be favorable] will not sow, and he who regards the clouds shall not reap." - Ecclesiastes 11:4 AMP
Hi again...
Last time I mentioned that everybody procrastinates, some more than others. Even the most successful people procrastinate a little bit along the way to their success; nobody is perfect. To stall, or not to stall, that it is the question; let's find some answers. I discussed two reasons last time, laziness and lack of interest. Those are the most common explanations, but I believe another reason hits closer to home. It's really two sides of the same coin:
"We are so scared of being judged that we look for every excuse to procrastinate." - Erica Jong
On one side of the coin, people procrastinate because they fear being judged. They're afraid their efforts won't be supported or understood by those who matter most in their lives. The sting of such criticism can be painful, and they dread the prospect of failure, which can be humiliating if it comes to pass. When the people you care about provide the strongest opposition, your resolve can be severely tested. This can be a tough hurdle to overcome, which explains why many people procrastinate. They want to avoid as much criticism as possible, so they play it safe.
On the other side of the coin, people procrastinate because of a false idea of what it takes to be successful. They believe that to succeed you can never make a mistake, never stumble, never lose or experience a setback. They also believe that only a flawless opportunity must be handed to them before they take advantage of it. Nothing less will do.
If you assume either of these notions about success are true, it's time for a reality check. Regarding the first side of the coin, no one receives a pre-packaged, ready to eat, "just add water", instant coffee style opportunity right out of the box. Some assembly is required. People who enjoy true success know the real deal: there is no such thing as a perfect opportunity, you take the ones you are given and make them work for you in a way that suits you best.
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." - Thomas A. Edison
"Don't miss your opportunity waiting for the right connection, the perfect time or a windfall of money to show up. Move forward and work diligently with what you have and increase will follow." - Shanshera Quinn (www.quinnscopy.com)
As for the second side of the coin, if you believe people succeed because they didn't have to struggle, never had any problems or difficulties, or that they skated to success on Easy Street, you are only kidding yourself. Read the stories of people who achieved success in their lives, and you will see examples of people who triumphed over circumstances more difficult than you could ever imagine, whether or not they were of their own making.
"You show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I'll show you someone who has overcome some form of adversity." - Lou Holtz
Having said all this, I don't have any canned formula to help you kick the procrastination habit. But I do want to you to understand some things which may help you find the solution which works best for you:
1. You don't have to be perfect to be successful
2. Failure and adversity are not roadblocks to your success, they are stepping stones, part of the price you pay to reach your desired objective(s).
3. People who don't understand what you're doing will be critical, including those who are closest to you. But that's okay, they don't have to stop you from doing what you know in your heart is right, and the most important thing you need to remember is...
4. You don't have to prove anything to anybody but yourself. Don't let anybody who is not willing to travel your destined path judge the steps you take.
So stop procrastinating. Do what you know you do best...and stop worrying about what others think. Their opinion of you and what you do is none of your business, and when the dust settles at the end of the day, they're not the ones you answer to:
"People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway." - Mother Teresa
That's all for now, gotta run. Until we meet again, remember:
Keep it simple...See ya!
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