Invented obstacles

 

Interesting thing, Procrastination. It is the twin to Productivity — um, without the accomplishment.

It is merely activity and the appearance of accomplishment, with no tangible rewards. Just the self-loathing that follows when we dance with Procrastination; when we realize how much time we spent — never to have back! — in our pursuit of Productivity.

Real obstacles don’t take you in circles. They can be overcome. Invented ones are like a maze. ~Barbara Sher

Despite their resemblance, most of us know can tell the difference between Procrastination and Productivity. Even when we pretend we can’t!

Procrastination lives in the invented mental mazes of our mind. We create intricate pathways through which we move through, only to reach a dead-end — despite knowing our end goal. And even how to get there! We find ourself surrounded with few options — other than going back to the start point.

However, there are solutions. Simple solutions.

One of my handy ”hedge trimmers” — small, but mighty! — presents itself in the form of a timer. When my mind is full of ideas and task lists, it proves one of the best ways to trim through Procrastination and meet up with my end goal of Productivity! Being accountable (if only to the beeping of the timer …) at preset time intervals is enough to cut through the dead-ends of Procrastination.

What is your hedge trimmer? What tool or habit allows you to “cut through” the dead-ends and eliminate the invented obstacles — the mental mazes of your mind?

If you don’t have a hedge trimmer yet … Get one! Consider some of the larger models Chris Brogan outlines in “Confidence and The Next Move“:

• Celebrate a small success.
• Move through perceived risks.
• Build a support network.
• Eliminating excuses. Nuf ’said. 
• Commit to your goals.
• Believe anything is possible …

I would not waste my life in friction when it could be turned into momentum. ~Frances Willard