Monday, July 28, 2014

Pay Me On Tuesday!


Happy Monday!

I was never a big Popeye fan.

I hated spinach (eat it every day now - juicing with magic bullet!)...I didn't think Olive Oil was "all that" and to top it all off...I could understand a word he said!

I did have an affinity for Wimpy. 

He was a lovable sort, always begging for money...and hamburgers.  It was only when I got older that I realized he was really a bum (yes, strong language!)...living off other people and "putting off until tomorrow, what he should be doing today".  Recite his classic line with me,

 
"I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today."

Wisely using credit is one thing...perpetually putting things off is another.  There is a word for it...

 
Procrastination. 

Borrowing time today with the intent of paying it back in the future.  Reality is, most of us never pay for our "hamburgers" until the last minute, until its too late...or never.
 
Opportunity is lost...revenue is lost...time is lost.
 
August 15th is coming...did you file your taxes...used the extension?  Procrastination.
 
Medicare Advantage AHIP certification began a couple of weeks ago...my wife is finished...I will finish this week...will you wait until October?  Procrastination.
 
The contract for the product you need is still in your inbox...filling it out today...or Tuesday? Procrastination.
 
You get the picture.
 
Why do we procrastinate?
 
If I could answer that, I would be on the "O" network living it up with Deepak, Robbins and Dr. Phil.  It is an amazing thing to watch people put off what they know, eventually, they will have to do.  
 
Do I procrastinate?
 
Yes, but not nearly as much as I used to and not for the really important things.  A few years ago, I analyzed my behavior to determine my root causes for putting things off.  Yours may be different, but introspection is the only way to get to the heart of what keeps you from doing all you need to do...to get where I know you want to go.  My personal top 3;
 
1. Fear - Most procrastination falls into this category.  The fear is the action will not yield the results, or even more dramatically, will lead to failure.
 
Do you fear because you think something is not possible? You have likely heard the 4 minute mile story. It was thought impossible until Roger Bannister did it in 1954. Since then, many have done it - including high school runners!
 
Take the It's Possible Test - Can it be done?  Is someone else doing it?  Then, if it can be done and is being done...why not you?
 
Stop putting it off...simply do it!
 
2. Lazy - Anthony Robbins says, "People are not lazy, they just have impotent goals".  There is not a big enough "Why" to get you out of your Lazy Boy (or girl!) chair.  The "Why's" you establish have to be of sufficient importance to get you over the hump of fear, procrastination and any other form of doubt that manifests.
 
"Why" provides the spurs you need in your side to press forward in full gallop!  Develop some audacious goals that push you into action!

 
3. Pain/Pleasure - People will do extraordinary things to avoid pain/discomfort (exercise comes to mind), but will continuously move toward things that are fun and pleasurable.  A lot of my friends play golf, but never practice...but then the game is painful.  My momma used to say, "you have to eat broccoli to get ice cream"...think about it!
 
If there are things you have to do that you hate, schedule them.  Make them a priority...the elephant you eat the proverbial "one bite at a time"!  You will make time for things you love, so make that time for things you put off.
 
Today...right now (don't procrastinate!)...make a list of 5 things that you need to do and have been putting off.  Put a date beside each of them.  If you really feel ambitious, put the tasks necessary to complete them next to them as well. 
 
Begin to see them as done and the feeling of accomplishment.  Then jump into them and celebrate each small victory of completion.  You can begin now and they will be eventually be finished...or you can...
 
Pay me on Tuesday!
 
Until Tomorrow, I wish you Money, Power, Success!  

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