In my first article about procrastination I talked about procrastination caused by disorganization.
A second cause T. Quek mentions is FEAR.
Someone once told me that it is nothing but False Evidence Appearing Real.
So, procrastination inducing fear comes in two different flavours:
“I know I should finish my article on procrastination, but why can’t I seem to do it?”
“I planned to finish my article, but when time came, I didn’t feel like it anymore.”
The antidote to fear is faith, trust and some inspiration. So here goes.
INSPIRATION
- Last year in Capetown I came across a simply beautiful collection of poetry by the South African poet Helen Steiner Rice, called: A collection of Joy. Here’s a quote from her poem Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.
Yesterday’s dead, tomorrow’s unborn,
So there’s nothing to fear and nothing to mourn,
For all that is past and all that has been
Can never return to be lived once again…
And what lies ahead or the things that will be
Are still in God’s hands, so it is not up to me (…)
- What Would a Monk Do?
Being a monk is all about living in the present moment. Fear is either living in the future: “I will not be able to finish this task! It’s too big, too hard or fill in the dots…” or in the past: “I could not successfully manage this task in the past, so I will never be able to!”*
A Benedictine monk goes about his task quietly, steadily and mindfully. Not looking back, except at designated times. In the evening he takes time out for a brief examination of conscience. The reassuring rhythm of his life may seem boring to some but appealing to fear-driven creatures like me.
Moreover, he gives all his worries to God in prayer daily.
Freedom for me is surrendering my fears to God on a daily (sometimes hourly) basis and living in a flexible structure, enabling me to change plans at any given moment, with the inner guidance of God.
Everybody has fears and that’s ok. If I befriend my fears, bring them to tea, chat with them and surrender them, then that’s great. If I don’t succeed in doing that, I just dust myself off and try again. There’s always a new moment.
PRACTICAL TIPS
What’s my solution?
- Making bite-size chunks of tasks and putting them daily from my general (big-ass) todo list onto a handwritten (this is essential for me) daily todolist (a detailed account about my current system, which is: GTD combined with ZTD, in one of my following articles).
- Surrendering fear by being Aware, Accepting it and taking Action, in the form of little action steps. That’s how I befriend my fears.
- If my worry or fear is too big I write it on a note and put that in my crafted God-box. You can find awesome step by step creative inspiration to make your own here.
What actions do you take to get out of fear-based procrastination? Love to hear your stories!
Next time we’ll talk about a third and my ‘favorite’ source of procrastination: perfectionism based! So stay tuned!
I’d love for you to spread the word via Facebook, email, Twitter or word of mouth if you like what you’ve read.
Word of mouth rocks! My humble gratitude for that.
Peace!
You can find me on: Facebook or on Twitter.
* T. Quek
Simple & Inspired Living 
Hi Ester,
How are you doing?
Interresting post. Thanks! Last two weeks I thought a lot about my own fear-based procrastination. For me it’s also fear of having succes by doing things, I suppose…
Sometimes a huge problem for me. There’s a lot to read about (fear-based) procrastination.
What make sense to me is:
– know your most important goals and values
– only do tasks that contribute to those goals and values
– plan your day & week (plan realistic)
– do, but don’t overdo. Rest when needed (to get energy; very important to me right now)
– break down big tasks (so you also can be satisfied getting things done in short time 😉
– get help making decisions (what I need is to communicate about it with friends)
– believe in yourself!
– enjoy each step (it’s about progression; not perfection.Wich you know 😉 )
To practice these things, it’s is not easy for me, but I have the experience this is important
Thought about Stevie Wonder; last week in Dr. Phil’s TV show. He said: “I have the experience in my life that my faith is stronger than my fears”. I recognice this.
Even in times of suffering at the past week. Every day, at least two times in my silent room, I lay down my burdens in front of the cross, including my fear-based problems. To know and feel God’s presence is wonderful to me. And when feelings are overwhelming and I can’t pray, I meditate and listen to worship music for 20 – 30 minutes. To be with Him in silence is one of the most important choices I’ve made in my life till now.
There’s someting I was forgotten. Someone told me once: “you’r talking only about the negative part of ADD, and what this means to you, but there’s more then this”. Thanks for remembering me also the positive things people with this disorder may have, wich you wrote in your comment. I recognize those ‘gifts’ by myself. Your’ right. This disorder could be a blessing too.
p.s. For the first time I will go to a Benedictine monastry (Adelbert Abdij, Egmond Binnen).
Oktober 20 there will be a ‘meditation walk’; with some people and a Benedictine monk. I’m thinking about a silent retrait (maybe at this monastry) later on this year.
Peace and blessings, have a wonderful weekend
‘DIAC’