Hi All,
Over the years I have delved in to several different genres of self-help, meditation, religion and fitness. All centered on making my life “Real”, but it’s not until the last few years that I realised that real self help is not about reading self help books or listening to audio, or seminars, it’s about doing. The paradox being that if we don’t read, talk or listen to these concepts we cannot have the “ah ahh!” Moment of realization
So for awhile I have collected some pearls of wisdom, so today I would like to share some snippets on meditation and/or exercise procrastination. Some of you will recognize these in yourself
“The Procrastinator” within wants to stop you from taking actions in your interest... and he isn't satisfied until he's stopped you meditating, robbed you of your health, and has sunk you into depression. “The Procrastinator’s” mission is to take your self-efficacy, your self-acceptance, and waste your valuable time.
A lot of what follows is true, but with tongue in cheek…………..
“The Procrastinator Within” Tactics
Diversionary Actions
This is where the procrastinator pops up when you are set to take positive action and he creates an unwanted diversion. The result is sleeping in, watching TV, daydreaming or another 'safe' activity. "Let's do something else instead!" the procrastinator will tell you, and instead of sitting in Meditation or working out you comply and stare at the TV or wander aimlessly around forums.
The procrastinator can convince you some of these diversions are somehow more important because they are happening Now. "The universe untold…" is only on TV NOW... and this meditation thing can be done tomorrow!"
Anti Self-Efficacy
The procrastinator tells us lies about our capabilities to get his own way... "Forget it buddy!" the procrastinator will say "You can't do this!" This procrastinator attack is aimed at your self-acceptance as well. The procrastinator rates you and tells you that you're just not capable of sitting still.
Awful-I-zing
The procrastinator is a drama queen! With hand to forehead, the procrastinator will tell you how awful your meditation or workout is going to be. By the time the procrastinator is done, a task as simple as sitting still becomes the dentist from hells chair. The procrastinator's tactics here include 'warning' you that you will be bored, threatened, and inconvenienced.
Shouldn't Have To
The Procrastinator is great at telling you when you shouldn't have to do things. "You don't need this, you have me to guide you!" the procrastinator will say, laying out an entitlement that allows you to avoid meditation or exercise... even though it's in your best self-interest!
Another version of this tactic is "The Excuse" where the Procrastinator coaches you into an alibi that seemingly absolves you of your responsibility and creates a false entitlement to justify the avoidance.
Later Is Better
Here's where the Procrastinator convinces us that there's no lack of pressure; therefore our interest is served in waiting… and waiting… and waiting again. "Relax! Conditions will be better later! There's no reason to rush into this!" Here meditation and/or exercise are put off for another day... over and over.
Procrastinator Blitzkrieg
The blitzkrieg tactic will try to convince you "It's just too much!" The Procrastinator will pile one thing upon another until the meditation your about to do appear overwhelming. "It's hopeless!" the Procrastinator whispers in your ear "so why bother?"
I hope you enjoyed these often amusing insights; these are not my words, just a collection of insights about THE PROCRASTINATOR we all know so well.
Please see post on Anti-Procrastinator Warfare
The Procrastinator within
Linear Mode
