This is the final part of Seeking Balance in Overcoming Procrastination.
Strengthen your self-concept. Let go of your past mistakes and regrets along with your inner critic. Instead, feed the positive voice in your head that recognizes your potential. This includes acting with confidence that you can learn and develop your abilities to accomplish your goals.
“I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:12-13
Explore your deeper motives. Is there any passive-aggressive aspect to your procrastination, such as delaying action that someone else wants you to do? Or do you feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities? Are you afraid of success? How deep is your fear of failure? All of these things can be explored even more effectively with the help of a close friend, family member, or even a professional counselor.
“Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.” Romans 12:16-17
Evaluate your relationships. Are you in need of learning healthy assertive communication skills? Your relationships will suffer if procrastination is due to passive-aggressive behavior or your fears prevent you from doing a project that is important to your spouse. Thinking about the benefits of making healthy choices that reduce procrastinating behaviors can have added relational benefits. For example, “my wife will be excited when I finish this project.”
“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.” Matt. 5:23-25
In the end, you want to avoid being the subject of this anonymously authored poem.
“Mr. Meant-To has a comrade, And his name is Didn’t Do. Have you ever chanced to meet them? Did they ever call on you? These two fellows live together, In the house of Never-Win, And I’m told that it is haunted, By the ghost of Might-Have-Been.”
Ideas from Dr. Frank Bruno in “Psychological Symptoms” contributed to this article.
Originally written for the Hammonton Gazette, June 2016.
Dr. Ron Newman 