Are you someone who seems to get behind more and more all the time and eventually get stuck in a standstill knowing you absolutely NEED to get SOMETHING done? Today’s post is written to everyone who procrastinates and will give some tips on how to break free. Procrastination is a big subject and you’ll need to read some of my posts on decision here or here to help understand more, but today will at least get you moving in the right direction.
I recently heard someone speak of how he had felt overwhelmed and stressed a lot of the time and then realized, through the help of someone with life experience and wisdom, that he had too many ‘boxes’ open in life. What he meant was that he had opened a lot of projects and made a lot of promises to others over the past 5-10 years and all of these open boxes were gnawing at him and not giving him any rest. The solution to this person’s problems of procrastination was to simply begin closing some boxes. As boxes closed, he was able to feel good about himself and clear up some of the clutter in his internal life. He immediately began experiencing freedom in his ability to make decisions and work toward goals.
How many boxes have you opened in the last 5, or 10, or 20 years? How many promises have you made to others that are still unfulfilled? How many projects have you started that remain unfinished? How many books have you purchased and started…? How many times have you told yourself to clean your office or clean your attic or clean out your closet of unused clothing? If you have many boxes open in life does it not make sense that you are getting further and further behind and feeling overwhelmed on a daily basis even though there aren’t a lot of stressful things happening? Does it not make sense that you are procrastinating when the amount needed to get done is absolutely astounding? When we open too many boxes, we get stuck with indecision… this leads to procrastination. The question becomes ‘what do I tackle first out of this mound of confusion?’ instead of ‘what will move me closer to my goal today?’
My simply word of advice for today is: begin closing some boxes. You can begin with even one box. Simply starting and taking action in one area of life makes a huge difference in many areas. Have you ever heard how you eat an elephant? The answer is one bite at a time. Before you know it you will be halfway done a huge project or a bunch of smaller ones. The key is simply to begin. Take action. Start closing one box. Sell one item that doesn’t do you any good even though you’ll take a financial loss on the item. In the long run you will declutter your mind, which is priceless. With a clear mind you will begin moving toward those things that bring you more pleasure and satisfaction in life.
If you are ready to close some boxes, please comment below on how you feel after closing just one box. You may not know how great an impact your words may have on others reading these posts. I can talk all I want about how people can help themselves… but that’s my job and I’m supposed to know everything and be perfect (that’s a joke). When a ‘normal’ person who is struggling along with everyone else writes of how they are growing, it can have an amazing impact on others because they will see it is possible.
Have an excellent week!
