Is It Procrastination or Preparation?

When I was a little kid, my Dad played a game with my sister and me that was both exhilarating and a bit scary. Leading up to either a toss in the air or swinging by one hand and one foot, as we pretended to be an “airplane,” Dad would utter these words:

One for the Money
Two for the Show
Three to get Ready
And
Four to Go!

Upon hearing a long drawn out GO, I knew the toss up in the air or the spin in the yard was coming…. A mini roller coaster ride. It only lasted a few seconds, but the anticipation and fun I had was worth it. I remember doing the “airplane” trick with friends, and it was a little crazy to think that I was only holding onto them by one hand and one foot, while spinning round and round in a circle.

As adults, we still like to play games, and we often play one that involves the delay of action…. That thing you know you have to do, OR the thing that you want to do.

The fulfillment of these things, e.g., tasks, goals, dreams, may occur seamlessly and in a timely manner, but often we become stuck in the carry-out or the execution–the taking action stage, or what we call Procrastination.

There are usually a few reasons for this.

Motivational levels ebb and flow based on our physical and mental energies. When we feel good, naturally we have more gusto to move ahead and get things done. Easy-Peasy.

The same dynamic is true when we feel poorly in body or spirit–we lack the oomph or energetic drive to take action. And when things pile up, it can feel even harder to accomplish things, even up to the point of thinking, “Why even try?”

Having low confidence in our abilities also leads to a pause or a stop-gap in our plans. A lack of confidence stems from being told you can’t do something, past experience, feeling inferior, or the voice in your own head…”It’s not doable,” “I’ll fail,” “I’m not smart enough,” “I’ll never catch up.”

Sometimes we delay taking action, because we think that if we do act, then this will mean other changes are coming, right? More changes that we’re not ready for.

We like our comfort zone, but growth doesn’t occur in a comfort zone. In the comfort zone, we feel safe–even if life gets hard, it’s familiar there.

True growth happens in an uncomfortable place–the liminal space of not knowing or a discomfort zone. 

But guess what? The more you reach beyond your safety net and take a step of what you can do, you gradually become more comfortable taking action or being proactive, not reactive. It just takes practice and commitment.

Now a word about Preparation.

Launching a website, writing a book, facilitating a group, taking your dog to the vet when you’re new in town, or planning a trip, all require preparation. In this stage, we research what we need or what we’re looking for. We scour various resources, ask for referrals, or look around town. We gather information and proceed forward once all is in place and we’re ready to go. Unless, we get stuck by spending too much time preparing. The overly detailed or overly anxious person may be vulnerable to this. The perfectionistic personality can fall prey as well.

Remember–you aren’t expected to know everything or have all the answers ( I generally stay away from those people).

After a while, it’s time to just do the thing. It’s time to hit GO.

Marie Forleo, author of Everything Is Figureoutable, has a saying that I love, which is “Start Before You’re Ready.” She has a whole chapter on it actually. Some sage advice she offers includes:

• “You never feel ready to do the important things you’re meant to do.”

• “All progress begins with a base decision.”

• “You must disobey the voice in your head that says, “I’m not ready yet.”

And she advises to ask yourself, "In ten years, will I regret NOT doing this?”

When you get down to it, and get closer to taking action, things can start feeling a little shaky. Procrastination may provide a temporary relief of pressure, but it only makes the “thing” worse. It’s the proverbial monkey on your back.

If you need help, ask for support.

When you’re done with your homework, you’re ready to hit Start.

“Are you ready?” Klaus asked finally.
“No,” Sunny answered.
“Me, neither,” Violet said, “but if we wait until we’re ready we’ll be waiting for the rest of our lives.”
—Lemony Snicket

And Dr. Seuss had something to say on this topic as well….

“Waiting for a train to go
Or a bus to come, or a plane to go
Or the mail to come, or the rain to go
Or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
Or waiting around for a Yes or No
Or waiting for their hair to grow
Everyone is just waiting.”

But then he reminds us….

“Somehow you’ll escape
All that waiting and staying.
You’ll find the bright places
Where Boom Bands are playing.”
—Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

So if it feels like there’s a mountain before you, or you know that you’re ready but you have a knot in your stomach, say these words to your inner child….

One for the Money,
Two for the Show,
Three to get Ready,
And
Four–Let’s GO!!

Til next we meet in the forest….

Love,

Amanda♥️