Procrastination means part of me is unhappy. Part of me wants to not do what another part of me wants to do.This is a different perspective to the usual that I see presented – that we should achieve our goals and find ways of overcoming procrastination. I will be challenging this way of seeing things.
Procrastination is usually seen as a problem because it stops us achieving the goals we have set for ourselves.
I want to raise the possibility that it is the goals that are the problem.
And how would I know? I can only know by paying attention to the part that doesn’t want to do it. And this means not rushing to judge this reluctant part.
Usually the part that doesn’t want to do put in the work to achieve the goal is judged as bad. This may turn out to be true (though usually doesn’t), but we certainly need to listen to it first.
The biggest criticism is usually laziness. But perhaps we are exhausted, perhaps we need a holiday, or to give ourselves a break. Perfectionism is a curse – it will never let us rest. It is well worth asking if we are exhausting ourselves for the sake of our goals. If so thinking about whether achieving our goals is worthwhile or whether there is an easier way to achieve them seems like time well spent.
Our goals are meant to serve us. We are not meant to serve our goals.
Who says we shouldn’t change our goals as often as we wish? Our parents? Some idealised figure? It’s well worth knowing where this feeling comes from.
The usual advice turns out to mean little more than being unkind to the part of ourselves that doesn’t want to do it. This isn’t exactly a recipe for enjoyment.
So, when procrastinating it is worthwhile considering not doing it. This is what I have learnt about procrastination.
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