Procrastination arghhhhh help!!!

We all have things we have to do and have to start somewhere and more often than not have a task list as long as wallpaper.  Maybe a project, a deadline, writing a blog, making that phone call, the dreaded uncomfortable conversation,  yet we put it off.  We do everything and anything to not do that one thing we should be doing, we procrastinate…sound familiar?

Sometimes it is just the getting started that is the problem and once we have begun to attempt the dreaded task, things gather momentum and we wonder why we ever worried and job done, hey presto, a big tick. Mission complete.

So what is the big problem?

We all have those little voices in our heads. The internal voice that we listen to and often, do as it says, more often we do not even realize we are paying attention to what is being said.

These internal invisible voices can speak to us in the most awful ways. They can be rude, degrading and be-little us in a few words.  They help us create barriers for our own success. They talk, we listen and when they present themselves this can stop us fulfilling our objectives.  We can take that opportunity to do whatever else we can to stop us from actually completing the one task that would really lighten the load or ease our stress.

Imagine how it would be If we managed to not stop listening to those negative little mind conversations but actually turned those conversations into positive ones. Conversations that help you pull on our big brave pants and go for ‘it’ (It being, that much-needed project, phonecall, conversation, task etc) the outcome is far better than we imagine.  We are able to manage,  to achieve and feel rather smug, sticking two fingers up to the negative mindless chatter and giving a high five to our positive inner munchkin.

Your inner munchkin is there to protect you, to make sure you are safe. You may have heard the saying fight or flight.  Our in-built fight or flight mechanism that stems way back to when time began is there to protect us.  To stop us being eaten, our basic survival instincts were fight and defeat that saber toothed tiger or flight…run like hell, before he makes us a main course!  Of course, our lives have evolved and the saber toothed tiger sadly a long gone memory but the principle is the same and can sometimes get carried away.

So, how about kicking that negative inner munchkin into touch and tackling those tasks you really need to get done?

How? Take a minute and completely stop for just a moment.

Take some quiet time and shake hands with your inner munchkin.  You can do it now, reading this.  Sit quietly and just be, your brain may be thinking a million things.  Let the thoughts calm, concentrate on your breathing. Notice how your chest rises and falls as you breath, Slow and steady, let your shoulders drop and relax. Just tell yourself its ok to be, it’s ok to be calm and it is great being you.  Tell yourself I am unique and have a bucket load of skills, I am great. I can do (whatever it is you need to do). Trick your brain, by saying “this task is simple, it is easy, it is fun, we can do this” (Insert smile here)  Just breathe.  When you feel you have taken enough time. Say thank you to your munchkin and carry on with your day.

It can take time and practice, it really is worth it though.

When I started this blog, I wanted a quote to use and I loved this one “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. Nelson Mandela.

How great was Nelson Mandela…that’s another blog!!

I hope this helps you get through those frustrating procrastination times.  Do you have a favourite way of dealing with them? Let me know in the comments below 🙂

Have a great day ~ Colita

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Raindrops & Kindness

How a tiny thing can make a big difference

This morning I was on the school run.  It was one of those wet miserable days, the grey clouds hung miserably in the sky. The water droplets not quite big enough for two clicks of the windscreen wipers but enough to obscure the view.   One thing I notice on wet rainy days, is everyone seems to drive to school. The traffic was mayhem, there was vans and cars, buses and madness at every turn. Successfully delivering my not so small child to school, I headed homeward bound.

As I waited in the huge queue of confused traffic I saw a mum. Plastic covered buggy Ladened down with school bags, a gaggle of small children and one small child who was getting a very stern yet wet glare. He was thoroughly enjoying his world, seemingly oblivious in his zipped up blue Mack. He wasn’t bothered that it was raining, nor that his soaked carer seemed overwhelmed with half the neighbourhoods little people under her care. His eyes met hers and without words she beckoned him to her as she was needing to cross the road to the primary school opposite. She was soaking wet and my assumption was she just needed to get them to school. So I stopped, I was sat in my warm car. I could have driven on, what is an additional minute or two? Like a mother duck she gathered her ducklings on the realisation that she could cross the manic traffic, and our eyes met. She gave me the biggest smile and mouthed “thank you so much” just as the little fellow looked at her, as he got level with my number plate he turned and smiled at me, giving me a massive (well quite small but cute) thumbs up. She laughed, I smiled and giggled as he was just big enough to look over my bonnet.

I remember many times, when I’ve been stuck in the rain, soaked to the skin, just wishing someone would stop and let me cross the road, where many drivers in their warm cars, kept driving, not giving a thought for those outside their bubble. Not caring for anyone but themselves and their priorities. I continued my journey back to my desk.

Now,  I didn’t do anything super-hero-ish. I didn’t save a life, or create world peace.  What I did do was make a tiny difference to someone else’s day. In exchange for that brief moment, I got a grateful smile, a cute thumbs up and something to write about. Kindness that cost nothing.

We are all so busy and concerned about ourselves that sometimes we forget about other people’s lives, we forget to consider the wet mum crossing the road, or the colleague who seems a bit down of late. It’s easy to carry on regardless, not our problem.

Just imagine what could happen if we all took a little time for someone else. Next time you feel someone is in need or could be shown a little kindness, stop and help you never know what a tiny thing could do to make someone else’s day. I did!

Have you offered a little bit of kindness, or maybe you have received some, share your story with me in the comments below.

Colita aka Litabix, shares her thoughts, ideas and giggles.
Describing herself as a freelance girl Friday. She can be found helping business succeed in social media, marketing & systems. She also works as an NLP Practitioner using blended Coaching methods for her clients business & personal development.

Colita Dainton
Litabix

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