Today's Action Word: Procrastination

I slept in today until 7:30 am instead of getting up at 6:30 am. I performed my morning ritual of writing and did my 20 minutes of meditation. I took my 20 minute walk. I talked with my good pal, Shari, on the phone about all things philosophical. I checked my Facebook page and my email.

Then I remembered, I need to do this, and that, and this, and that.

I have to prepare for an important phone call but instead I go out and cut a small bouquet of flowers for my office. I do my laundry. I empty the trash and recycling.

I know that I should be doing this and that and this. But I don't.

Ah, procrastination. It is like a friend in high school that you really don't care for but he keeps sending you friend requests on Facebook, so you finally cave only to suffer minor regrets from doing so.

pro·cras·ti·na·tion [proh-kras-tuh-ney-shuhn, pruh‐] noun - the act or habit of procrastinating, or putting off or delaying, especially something requiring immediate attention.

We all do it, don't we?  Why is that?  I know that if I just tackle what it is I am avoiding, I often feel a sensation of relief and accomplishment.  Why wouldn't I want to experience that more often than not?

I googled 'why do we procrastinate' and came up with this link at Psychology Today.  According to the experts consulted for this story, procrastinators are made not born and we do this in order to avoid success.   But we can change our behavior according to these folks as well.  We can read some books on how to rid ourselves of this terrible habit.  We can even get some therapy.  What I am going to do is just pause for a moment and as soon as I publish this post, I'm going to tackle one of those things I am avoiding.

And, then I'll take a look at those other suggestions after I put the laundry in the dryer.

Seatbelt Not Required

The other day, I was thinking about a Jodi Foster film called Contact.  In that 1997 film, Jodi's character builds a machine to go on a trip in space.  In a particular scene, she is strapped into a seat to 'keep her safe from harm' but as she sees her necklace floating around her, she decides to unstrap herself. Lo and behold, she also floats freely and magically, in total safety.

(the scene I am describing is at about 3 minutes)

 

I thought about this as an analogy to all the times I have made decisions to buckle myself in tight because I was afraid to just float and be in a situation. How many times have you done the same thing? How many conversations have you had wanting to say exactly the proper thing in order avoid a misstep? How many opportunities have to passed on due to uncertainty of outcome? Personally, my own answers to those questions reveal a rather high number.

At this point in my career and my life, I am rethinking how I approach projects, partnerships and new opportunities. Granted, risk can be calculated to a certain extent and should be in some situations. However, I wonder how it will all play out if I take some chances without my own set of safety belts locked firmly in place?

Here's a challenge for all of us:  let's take a risk this week, shall we?  Let's take a chance at doing something that is unfamiliar and see where it takes us. It could be launching that business that has been #37 on your 'to do list' for the past decade.  It could be exploring an entirely new career as a museologist. It could be eating guacamole for the first time in your life.

You never know until you know you know, you know?  Then again, maybe you won't and that is okay, too.

Don't Kill the Cat

I went on a hike this past weekend and one of the gals in the group mentioned that her personal intention was to welcome more wonder into her life.  I really love that idea.

We are bombarded with so much of the unpleasant, reality-based nonsense these days - wouldn't be wonderful (pun intended) to be motivated by our curiosity and our desire to learn, rather then struggling with how to navigate obstacles 24/7?

I am as curious as cat, which may not be the message I'm trying to convey here but then again, I may be by suggesting throwing a little caution to the wind. Now is the time to be open to exploration and wonder.

I went on another one of those fabulous Ten Toe Walks organized by the City of Portland. This past weekend, the walk featured a stroll around historic Sellwood. I learned so much!  I even discovered a puppet museum that I am looking forward to returning to with my daughter in coming weeks.  It is called Ping Pong's Pint Size Puppet Museum and it offers free admission for its current exhibit, Fun with Czech Fairy Tales. 

   

I also struck up a conversation with one of the walkers, Jean, and believe I made a new friend in the process. I did so without using any social media platform in the process - now, isn't that something?

I guess, in summary, there is a wonderful world that surrounds us and is available to each of us to explore.  I believe the core of creativity comes from that unending, relentless need to explore, learn, discover and be awestruck by all that surrounds us and, by what is in us, too.

I share a video that was sent to me a week or so ago.  It is one of those fabulous TEDTalks about The Three A's of Awesomeness.  The speaker, Neil Pasricha, talks about curiosity and wonder - click here to enjoy!