The Power of Procrastination

I think we all have some areas where we procrastinate and I'm sure all of our reasons are different.  The habit of putting things off to the last possible minute can overwhelm and stress us, cause resentment and guilt and even cause missed opportunities...which of course causes the overwhelming, stress, resentment and guilt cycle to start all over again.

The behavior pattern of procrastination can be triggered in many different ways, so you won't always procrastinate for the same reason. Sometimes you'll procrastinate because you're overwhelmed with too much on your plate, and procrastination gives you an escape. Other times you'll feel tired and lazy, and you just can't get going.

I personally procrastinate when it comes to end of the month invoicing.  Crazy Right?  I mean it's not hard, it doesn't take a lot of time, but for whatever reason it overwhelms me and causes me some minor insecurities. 

I read a small little book recently titled, "Eat That Frog".  It's a short and sweet look at how to stop procrastinating and get more done in less time.  It gives 21 great tips on how to STOP PROCRASTINATING!!

Mark Twain once said that if the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long.  Your "frog" is your biggest, most important task, the one you are most likely to procrastinate on if you don't do something about it. 

There are 2 rules to frog eating: 
1.  If you have to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest one first.
2.  If you have to eat a live frog at all, it doesn't pay to sit and look at it for very long.

Basically GET 'ER DONE people.  The key to reaching high levels of perfomance and productivity is to develop the lifelong habit of tackling your major task first thing each morning. 

"Do not wait; the time will never be "just right".  Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools willbe found as you go along."  Napoleon Hill

Biggest Loser

It's Tuesday evening...well Wednesday morning really and I'm working on my newsletter, updating contacts, placing the final touches on a couple of  Thanksgiving cards and catching up on tonights episode of The Biggest Loser.    What a far cry from this time last year where I was popping pepto tablets and worried about my job, finances, the future and I really did feel like a total loser.

It's one year later and I have my family traveling in from Virginia, my sister, 2 nephews and my precious little niece.  We're preparing the turkey and planning on hitting the Festival of Lights at our local zoo.  I have a fabulous small business that allows me to meet so many interesting and passionate people and enough money to pay the bills and enjoy my home.

When I think of giving thanks this Holiday season it is with deepest pleasure that I can say I truly am The Biggest Loser.  I've lost the stress, the worry, the aches and pains associated with drama and most of all I've lost the fear that paralyzes most people into inaction. 

Thanks so much to each of you who have helped me on my journey to becoming The Biggest Loser.  I would love to hear about your journey's as well.  Please feel free to let me know the things you have 'lost' this past year on your journey to becoming a better you.

Much love this Holiday Season,

Sarah

So Goals...What are my goals...Big goals, little goals, life changing goals...all of the above. Someone once drew me a picture of some stairs; They said put what you most want at the top of the stairs and then label all the steps that you will need to complete in order to make it to your final objective. (The top of the stairs).
Of course my first response was...I'll just be happy if I'm still breathing at the top of the stairs but ok....

Now that I'm older and wiser (by 1 week and 1 day) I can see the truth of the statement. Put my objective at the top of the stairs and then create small manageable goals to complete so that I can slowly make my way up the staircase.

So...What is my objective?  What am I going to put at the top of my staircase?  Do I center it around my own business?  My clients?  My personal goals?  It's the end of 2011 and I'm heading into 2012 do I focus on the New Year and what it's going to bring?

So many choices but at the end of the day I just need to put one thing at the top of the staircase.  So that's what I'm going to do.  I've put my goal at the top of the staircase and now I'm setting goals so I can make it up to the top.  What are you doing?   

Take a moment for yourself, set your objective, decide your goals and happy climbing!