Procrastination
Procrastination is
the avoidance of doing a task that needs to be accomplished. It is the practice of doing more seemingly
pleasurable things in place of less pleasurable ones, or carrying out less
urgent tasks instead of more urgent ones. Procrastination can take hold on any
aspect of life — putting off cleaning the stove, repairing a leaky roof, seeing
a doctor or dentist, broaching a stressful issue with a partner.
Procrastination can lead to feelings of guilt, inadequacy, depression and
self-doubt. Wikipedia
In our addiction
procrastination was common practice. In
place of tasks or responsibilities we filled them with our fix…our addiction, because it made us feel better for
the time being. Selfish and short sighted. This seemed to help for a while, but
led to only more guilt, anxiety and fear, and any task that needed attention only
grew, or became something we never did finish, with negative consequences. We just could not deal with “getting started”…..Until we stopped.
To a certain degree it is normal to procrastinate and it can be regarded as
a useful way to identify what is important. There is a social stigma and the belief that task-aversion is
caused by laziness, lack of willpower or
low ambition. In some cases problematic procrastination might be a sign of some
underlying psychological disorder,
but not necessarily.
Perfectionism is a prime
cause for procrastination, because
demanding perfection usually results in failure.
Consider too, our talents
for procrastination, which is really sloth in five syllables. Big Book
Procrastination typically
has more to do with addressing unpleasant feelings associated with a task,
habitual behavioral diversions, and mental deflections that sidetrack from
productive pursuits. Smart Recovery
There are some actions
that the individual will need to take in order to stay sober. If the person
puts off taking these actions they may be putting their recovery in
jeopardy. Procrastinators
will often subconsciously rebel against the idea I have to do it.
It can help if they reframe the task as I want to do it – this
technique can be particularly effective for those who are demand resistant.
* It can be helpful if the person just focuses on getting started on
the project rather than on completing it. Once they begin the work they will
arrive at the finishing point without the need to worry about it too much.
* Another trick is to break large goals into smaller targets. This
means that the individual will not be overwhelmed by the enormity of the task
ahead. AlcoholRecovery.com
First off, the regular practice of meditation helped me a lot with my overall focus. Even with the bare minimum of 5 minutes every morning really helped to calm my mind down, and learned to re-focus. I recommend more, of course. Whenever I get in my zone, I am more able to stay in the present and dedicate more attention to whatever it is I am working on. I hadn’t figured out the skill that would save me from the procrastination. Zen Habits
Until I learned about letting go of “what I didn’t need”
I learned I needed to let go of other false needs that were causing me
problems: sugar, junk food, meat, shopping, beer, possessions, approval from
others. I’m not saying I can never do these things again once I let go of these
needs, but I let go of the idea that they’re really necessary. I let go of an
unhealthy attachment to them.
Here’s the process I used to let go of the
distractions and false needs that cause procrastination:
- I paid attention to the
pain they cause me, later, instead of only the temporary comfort/pleasure they
gave me right away. - I thought about the
person I want to be, the life I want to live. I set my intentions to do the
good work I think I should do. - I watched my urges to go
to the comfort of distractions. I saw that I wanted to escape discomfort, and
go to the comfort of something familiar and easy. - I realized I didn’t
need that comfort. I could be in discomfort and nothing bad would happen. In
fact, the best things happen when I’m in discomfort.
And
then I smile, and breathe, and let go. And one step at a time, become the
person I can be.
‘You can only lose what you cling to.’ ~Buddha
Know the true value of time; snatch,
seize, and enjoy every moment of it.
Working too much is one of the most dangerous forms of
procrastination.
Procrastination is one of the most
common and deadliest of diseases and its toll on success and happiness is
heavy. Wayne Gretzky
As I grow in my recovery, I begin to
trust myself. I begin to have more self esteem and know that I am human, I will
make mistakes and that it is OK.
I begin to feel, to know, that the
only way I am going to progress in life – is to be engaged in life.
As I begin to actively engage in
living, I may falter and need to re-set, but I begin to feel motivated,
energized, by having a sense of self worth and knowing that what I do does
matter, to myself and to others. As I need some time for myself, I also need
time for spiritual practice, for recreation, relationships, and for grieving
and joy and helping others. As I begin to find a balance and am able to be
present for all aspects of my life.
I choose to place my hand on the
rudder and FEEL which way to guide my life.
I find myself procrastinating less in
my recovery! My life is more manageable
and I feel more proactive! I am no longer avoiding or justifying my procrastination.
This is life, MY LIFE. I want to jump in and swim, and quit watching from the
beach. Though a little beach time is nice…and
I have to remember that laying on that beach and taking a little nap may be
just what my good soul needs. Be kind to
yourself…you are worth it.
How
do you fill your bucket? One drop at a time.
The
journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
The great arises out of
small things that are honored and cared for.