Procrastination
It's something that we all do. I know I have spent my fair share of time in procrastination-land. You know the scenario, you have a task that needs to be done by a certain time, you know you need to get er done, but instead you find yourself watching tv, scrolling through that time dilation sensation known as Tik Tok (I don't have that app for a reason!), or watching cat videos on Insta reels.
Because that's what happens, when you avoid an important task by procrastinating you usually end up in a less than ideal situation, then you mentally beat yourself up for being a failure, then you procrastinate some more, wash, rinse, and repeat.
The good thing is, you don't have to hang out in the procrastination spiral of perpetual unhappiness! YAY!
Today, during my morning self-cultivation time, I was reading the 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins and she went over the two types of procrastination, productive and destructive.
Productive procrastination is not a bad thing, and as a writer I recognized its description immediately. Basically, productive procrastination is putting aside something that you are creating in order to let it marinate in your mind a bit. Apparently this is part of the creative process and a necessary thing for creative greatness. That knowledge made me feel pretty good about the novel I have been working on in spurts for the last three years. I finished the rough draft of that novel before New Years and I haven't touched it since. After creating the initial narrative, I think I needed to toss it aside for a bit so my brain could work on the next task of the project, the editing...
Mel says it best when it comes to productive procrastination:
In a world obsessed with maximum productivity, it is easy to get caught up in what I like to call the crank it out whirlwind. We are not machines, we aren't capable of creating all the time, and if you force creation, well, the results will often resemble what comes out the back end of my cows.
In order to create your best you have to be kind to yourself.
So, if you are creating and you need to set your work aside for a bit of creative power boosting mind meandering, that's perfectly okay and even healthy! How cool is that!
And that brings us to the next type of procrastination: destructive procrastination.
Here's where I learned something that I didn't know:
Hello lightbulb!! Just reading those two sentences made a whole bunch of how I lived my life make sense! Yay!
You see, I lived in a seriously emotionally stressful environment for most of my life, and how I coped with it was through withdrawing and not doing. Most of that is due to the fact that my prime motivation is peace-seeking. The problem with that is that I never got around to living.
Even though I knew avoidance would lead to negative consequences, I did it anyway because it was the equivalent of emotionally eating a huge bowl of ice cream for my mind. The problem with avoidance and overindulging however, is that you feel bad about yourself later. Not good for overall well-being.
So, how do you break the destructive procrastination pattern? Well, that's the cool part. It all starts with a simple action, to forgive yourself.
I get it. It takes courage to be kind to yourself, we are our own worst critics, but let me tell you, the sky's the limit when you start modifying how you view you.
For instance, this morning I really wanted to procrastinate writing this post. I am tired, worn out, had the crap kicked out of me this week, you get it, there's always an excuse.
Instead, I counted backward from five, said go, and got busy. My work doesn't have to be perfect, it's that I get started on it and DO it that counts.
Because at this point in my life, I'd much rather face the discomfort of modifying my behavior through learning new habits than stay in destructive patterns. I have lived the whole actions seeking stress relief = increased stress from action avoidance paradigm and I am fully onboard with having the courage to do, regardless of discomfort, rather than just repeat avoid and exist misery.
A favorite saying of mine for years now is to, put your actions where your principles are.
And with that said, if you are caught in a destructive cycle of task avoidance, the first key is to acknowledge that you are doing so, forgive yourself (BE KIND!), and then take action by making a new habit of doing. It's not going to be easy, growth never is, but action on your own behalf in order to better your own over all well-being is always, always worth it.
Now, off to novel editing land I GO!!
Hummmmm. Interesting. Very interesting read. Making me think. I understand what you are writing about. But for me personally, at least for the moment, it does not hold true.
Why? I had to think about that.
Because I have spent so much of my life basically doing nothing. Coasting along. Riding the wave of complacency and idleness.
Since I found my positive side I am go go go. I slow down, I procrastinate, I get 🤒 ill.
Well I get to the point again where what you write holds true? I hope so. That means I am growing in self.
Till then my friend, bare with my high speed 😉
Bradley
!BBH
!ALIVE
Awe, Bradley! Seriously, there is at least one time every day that I’m so thankful that Listnerds exists because I got to meet you! I love your perspective!
When it comes to drive, I have so much that I tend to over say the word “yes” and end up getting sick cause I burn out, so it was a relief to see there was a type of procrastination that didn’t have negative connotations. I’d never thought about creativity in that, give your mind a minute, don’t force it, context before.
But in regards to getting things done, I’m right there with you, full speed ahead, hoist the action sail, and I’ll probably trip and fall off the plank.
Thank you so much for being awesome and posting such amazing comments that inspire me to think!😊
Well young lady. Out of all the people on Hive, and there are so many fracking fantastic content creators. Your line of thought on life, and your writing challenges me the most. All in a fantastic positive way.
I have never commented on other posts the way I do with yours.
It comes back to how positivity attracts Positivity. Amazing how I found you as an Arthur at around the same time I decided to become Mr. Positive.
I am coming to an understanding of how people on Hive have so many followers, become whales over time.
I have always know it is the people you surround yourself with.
I thank you for challenging my way of thinking.
I am growing as an arthur, a person,
I know we will continue to attract more positive people and challengers that will help us all grow, get better as individuals and as a Hive community.
Thank you.
Bradley
Was that to deep? Lol
That was Marianas Trench level depth! LOL!
And honestly, you are preaching to the affirmation choir here. I have no problems making friends, but attracting people who challenge me (and me rising to the challenge (being real, authentic, and gasp, expressing my actual opinion on things) instead of being a complying, pliable, amiable little chameleon) is new.
You are so right about it's all about the people who you surround yourself with, and I think we both are seeking that level up, push hard, do the work, and fracking crush it place.
Thank you for being you, and being willing to change, and being willing to learn, that's so rare and so incredibly awesome!. I'm right there with ya, and I can't wait to wade through the positive trenches, challenges and all!
Plus, when I inevitably trip up, it's so comforting to know that I have a pal who's got my back and won't hesitate to let me know his actual thoughts, because at the end of the day I know no matter what you say, it's coming from the most authentic, caring, positive place possible. That's some priceless existential stuff right there.
Also, YAY! Things are going to get even more lit!
Lol.
Keep this one short.
Watch out Hive.
Things are getting real, in a 100 percent positive way.
And there are a couple of us that are pushing or is it pulling you into some fracking awesome sauce personal growth.
😀
You Are Alive so I just staked 0.1 $ALIVE(17/30)@generikat! to your account on behalf of @bradleyarrow.
The tip has been paid for by the We Are Alive Tribe
through the earnings on @alive.chat, feel free to swing by our daily chat any time you want.
Procrastination is a habit indicates fear and anxiety about the future that may lead the owner to failure in his life, so he must first eliminate it by relaxing to remove stress and knowing that error is the basis of success
Nicely said my friend, fear and anxiety are symptom of misplaced energy, and I appreciate your thoughts on this post a lot!😊
Your header and footer is cute.
I think that procrastination is not quite the positive thing but also, what you mentioned earlier, it helps to release stress. I feel the procrastination I am talking about is the one that drains you mentally, one where you have too many why's and how's which doesn't quite leave if you continue to procrastinate. So, I guess from individual to individual it quite varies. Even situation to situation if varies.
Nice post.
Thank you so much! And you bring up such a great point, how procrastination works and effects us varies because we are all unique individuals. I’m so glad you stopped by and shared your thoughts on the subject😊
Because this is such an awesome post, here is a BBH Tip for you.
. Keep up the fantastic work
yes Procrastination can definitely be destructive. for me it is avoidance.
There is usually an emotional component that I don't want to deal with.
Loving my self is the key part. If I can stop and value myself instead of spinning out with my self judgements it usually helps.
Pick up that guitar! It always helps me get in a better mood. Try writing a song. It can be cathartic.
Peace
Holy awesome reply! I love your thoughts on loving yourself, we are definitely our own worst critics and procrastination can be the worst kind of self-sabotage!
And I will listen to you regarding guitar therapy, as I know you know a thing or two about crafting a tune😊 Thanks for stopping by!
@generikat - You would think someone with so much energy, such as myself that I didn't have a bout with procrastination; but man it was the proverbial albatross. It wasn't so much procrastination itself, but what situations led to it.
Great post!
!LUV
You know, with what little of your story that I have read, I think you have a pretty powerful bio about focusing and overcoming procrastination @jimmy.adames. And I probably said that all wrong, lol, but I think I need food, and I am not going to procrastinate that any longer!
Thank you so much! !PIZZA
🤣 thank you @generikat
(1/1) gave you LUV.
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Oh let Dr Paul set you right up. See you need to learn to drop the guilt. I have to say the only, and I do mean only, benefit to growing older is realizing in a concrete way that we only have so much time left...and I have no time for self guilt at all. So, I have embraced my procrastinations, and in fact see it as an art, much like napping, that can have some enjoyable benefits lol.
Awww! Thanks for the affirmation Dr. Paul! I am so glad you stopped by, and I am learning to jettison the guilt! I like your perspective on it, that it can be an art. Gonna remember that for future reference😁
Great post! I'm guilty 100 percent! I'm trying to get better, 🙂
Thank you! And me too, but what matters is that we are aware and working on it, which is awesome! Hope you are having the best day!😊
Very good post @generikat. I have never thought about procrastination as having a positive side. It does make sense that at times you need to let the pen sit for a little while. Thanks for sharing this awesome post. We are all learning and growing and the cool part about Hive is that people are open about it.
That slapped me in the awareness too! Sometimes I am so hard on myself because I am just plain exhausted and some of the work we do requires so much creative energy. That perhaps stepping back and letting things percolate in the brain band is an okay thing really is nice to know.
Thank you so much for an awesome comment! I am so elated to be part of a community that values growth and learning, not just for the sake of earning (which is awesome), but because there's real authenticity here!😊
You are a doer, not a procrastinator! If you are one of those, then my life is a big lie! :) Kidding. I think we are our own worst enemy, plus I find I am a pleaser, especially with my family or anyone who asks me to do something. I have gotten better. :)
Tonight I wrote about being good to you, although not deep and intense... I was seriously tired but now I feel better having done it.
I really need to get off my profile and read more posts.
Or scroll faster. ❤️
Oh, you are so, so a doer, and a magnificent one at that! I am often blown away by your realness and kindness, and you are just so cool. Can you tell I adore you my dear friend?
And you are preaching to the people pleasing choir, I was such a doormat when it came to family stuff, I have gotten better too, but much hugs to you, because that kind of growth is a CHORE.
Ooh, I have to get over and read that post of yours, being kind to ourselves is a realm that I have to learn more about. I suck at being nice to me, but I am getting better.
Just like I have sucked at consistently getting over to your realm. AHHH!
However, I think it's because we are both engaging with a lot of people on our blogs, and that is a glorious thing!
Also, I hope you are getting some rest😊
This has been a very interesting read. And I believe true. If we don't take time to absorb and process information, to meditate or simply to rest, we can't continue to be productive forever. We are not machines, and even those need maintenance. And yet procrastination was often regarded only through its destructive side and considered a bad thing.
good type of procrastination, but then again, I shouldn't have been surprised, there seems to be a healthy balance, a duality of sorts, in all things, and our challenge is to teeter as healthily as we can between the realms. Too bad I have a habit of falling off of things lol!Thanks @gadrian! It really blew my mind that there was a
Hope all is well and awesome!
The stress thing makes sense. I, of course, have no stress in my life and NEVER procrastinate... Yeah, right...
LOL! You? Stress? No way!
That said, I hope you are having a relatively stress free day! We are having Siberia Week here, a Northeasterly wind of brrrrr. I swear all the plants and animals are looking at me like it's my fault.
Not here, gentle rain this morning, now it's sunny and warm... (Rub, rub, rub...) :))
I procrastinate quite often and I am always rushing my deadlines. If I didn't make it a point to make a few posts outside of Actifit, I don't think I would really be posting much either. So I guess it kind of depends but putting down goals is a good way to push yourself to get them done.
Goals are so important for keeping one on task. There's a mental technique called the 5 Second Rule (by Mel Robbins) that has helped me a lot. Basically, anytime I start overthinking something, I just count down from 5 to 0, say go, and act. It helps a lot because I have a propensity to get stuck in thought-land and is really a simple thing to do.
But you are posting, and that totally counts!
Hope you are having a fantastic day😊
A lot of what this article is about definitely resonates with me and wasn't aware that there were even two types of procrastination, thus I'm now suitably enlighted (I'm sure Jon would pleased - i've hit my plus one for today, lol.
I've got a few articles in planning, almost written mode - just need to be tidied up a bit AND posted - the positive procrastination, and then i've got some more (and other stuff) that i want to move to that phase but using other "life" events as an excuse not to - definitely destructive.
As usual, a thought provoking article. Thanks
Oh, you delivered a super thought-provoking response! I love how you took what was in the post, applied it to your situation, and broke it down into positive and negatives. Seriously, that made my whole day! Sometimes the hardest part in dealing with procrastination is identifying what it is you are avoiding so you can act.
I'm so glad you hit your plus one and I can't wait to see those articles! Hope your day is going splendidly!
I have definitely done my share of procrastinating. It is so easy for me to avoid starting a project because it is "so big". I have to remind myself how to eat an elephant. 1 bite at a time. That usually gets me started.
I LOVE the one bite at a time reminder! As an inductive thinker I often see the whole and used to get so overwhelmed by that and use it as an excuse to not even start. This is such a good reminder and you are right, that one bite to take thing usually gets me going too. Thank you so much!
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