What Has Procrastination Cost You? Why Procrastinating is Costing You More than You Think.
I've got a serious question for you... what has procrastination cost you? I recently wrote a post giving the Top Reasons why People Fail. Procrastination was one of the items that many people (myself included), struggle to conquer.
Procrastination is an area of my life that I've known needs improvement, this wasn't new to me. But there's something about seeing it on the list why most people fail, that got to me in an urgent way. If it's something that actually causes FAILURE, then shit! I need to fix that ASAP! You feel me here? Read that post and do the homework, then you know what procrastination is costing you. Here are a few examples:
If you procrastinate getting your oil changed in your car it can lead to much more expensive issues down the road, right? We know this! Yet we still procrastinate getting it changed! This is how you MANIFEST bad shit happening to you! By putting off the small things that you KNOW would prevent a bigger disaster. Can you think of some similar examples in your life?
I sure can! For example, I got a parking ticket last summer, and stashed it in a drawer to; "pay that" (but without urgency). And what happened, that same ticket now costs me 4x as much!
Ok, you get the point! But procrastination can affect every area of your life, not just your finances. It can effect your business, your relationships, your home, and your ability to control stress and effectively manage your life. Here are a few tips I'm implementing that I think might help you too.
When you get a message that needs a response (email, text, voicemail whatever). The moment you read it, DEAL WITH IT. I know it might take 2 whole minutes to respond, but DO IT. Right then! Make it a habit. Get it off your plate right then and there. If you CAN'T do this (your driving or otherwise physically can't) then DON'T READ THE MESSAGE! That way the little blue dot that indicates the message has not been read will be there to remind you to deal with it. Set 30 minutes aside twice a day (afternoon and evening) to respond to everything at once.
When you've told yourself you will do something (workout, eat right, drink water, whatever), set a specific time to do it. Put it in your calendar with all your other important meetings and DO IT. Don't question it, don't make an excuse. Just DO IT. The same way you'd show up for a work meeting, show up for yourself!
Here's the thing, procrastination is one of the biggest sources of stress and anxiety in our daily life. Why? Because all day, every day we carry our little mental lists with us, in our overtaxed brain. And that WHOLE TIME we are mentally beating ourselves up for not having it done. This leads to a lot of negative shit that you don't want in your life! So deal with things at the moment, so your brain can open space to enjoy your life!
Here's the thing, procrastination is one of the biggest sources of stress and anxiety in our daily life. Why? Because all day, every day we carry our little mental lists with us, in our overtaxed brain. And that WHOLE TIME we are mentally beating ourselves up for not having it done. This leads to a lot of negative shit that you don't want in your life! So deal with things in the moment, so your brain can open space to enjoy your life! Ok... hope that helps. It's helping me be more on top of things and I hope it helps you too! Make it a positive and productive day!
There's a whole chapter on this with more coaching and advice in my new book All the Things I Wish I Knew, plus 80 other lessons, tips, and advice for living your best life.
Ready to take your life, career, goals and yourself to the next level? Check out my life coaching options or take my online life coaching courses to get the results you DESERVE!
Follow Instagram @sarahcentrella and tag me :)
Sarah Centrella is a #1 best-selling author of several self-help books, a motivational keynote speaker, master life coach, Founder of VIVIAMO and podcast host.