Since I've been challenging myself to blog once a week, I have started to see a few things happen. I realize that I'm "stuck" and honestly I'm not sure if I'm stuck because I don't know what to say, (those that know me would say that is NOT the case, I ALWAYS have something to say) or that I'm unsure of the topics to share. Either way, I know it is a distraction that causes me to put off doing what I'm supposed to do. Is that something you can you relate to? As humans, we have a tendency to do the things that we enjoy doing first, then the things that are necessary but not something we like, and lastly we avoid the things that we don't like at all. Think about the things either in your life, or business that you enjoy doing and how quickly you work on those, and then the things you procrastinate with. Typically when you procrastinate it isn't something you enjoy 100% doing. We all have to do those things from time to time. While I enjoy writing, the discipline of writing weekly, is where I see the procrastination set it. At times, things flow very easy, but there are times, when they don't so how do you build the discipline to work through those other times.
As I begin to think about procrastination and how to build a more disciplined lifestyle, which honestly makes me cringe. If we're disciplined does that mean that we lose our ability to be agile and free, or does it provide boundaries for success? Just something that I think about often. I'm working on creating this discipline in my writing. I have been told over and over, that I need to write a book, that it is in me, and while I know that in my heart, and head the reality is there is a cost to doing that. What happens when I continue to procrastinate? Have you ever thought about what happens if you don't do what you know you're supposed to do? Eventually someone else will do it, and they will see the benefits produced from it. All the while it was something that you should and could have done.
I came across this, and let's just say it was a kick in the tail for me! Joshua 18:3(msg), "Joshua addressed the People of Israel: "How long are you going to sit around on your hands, putting off taking possession of the land that God, the God of your ancestors, has given you?" WHAT? Procrastination is in the Bible? Now I needed to know the end of this story, right? I am a woman of faith, that enjoys prayer, so I will ask God to help me with different areas in life. One morning I was particularly praying for my business, and everything that I’m supposed to do in life. I really want to fulfil my destiny. Isn't that what we all want? To pursue and possess the purpose for our life? Well, that's exactly what my discussion with God was like when I felt a prompting to read Joshua 18:3 and those words jumped out at me like they were alive. They spoke to a hidden place deep inside me. It was a jarring that took my breath away. Was I holding myself back from possessing the very thing I'd been asking for? Was I the hinderance to seeing the fulfilment of my purpose? Where were the fingers pointing, right back at me. Once this realization hit me, that I could be the very reason I'm not progressing forward, I had to ask myself what have I NOT been doing? What had I been putting off that was the key to unlocking my forward movement?
I needed a real dose of reality and I knew that I would find it, right where I was looking. What lesson could I learn from this statement made by Joshua. I love Joshua! I have been intrigued by him since I could read the Bible for myself. Over the years and through study, I have been able to see how significant his role was in the lives of those he led and those that would follow after his generation. I like to believe I'm a lot like Joshua. I can see things much differently than most people. I see challenging situations in a more positive light than most, and recognize the opportunity in each challenge. This allows me to see the "promise" instead of the pain. Joshua was able to do this as well. He was given the opportunity to lead the Israelites after Moses because he could see the promise and wasn't afraid to go after it. We'll discover more of that in another blog.
Joshua was challenging the final 7 tribes to say, you haven't went after your land yet. Why are you still here in this place. Why haven't you surveyed the land, and finalized the contract. After all, the land was already promised to them. So at this point, Joshua puts together a plan to get the people moving. As a coach I love this, because that is exactly what I do for others. I help them to make a plan to see their purpose come to life. I still had the burning question, what really causes me or anyone to procrastinate. There are various theories on the topic, and most of them come back to the same conclusion. It isn't really being lazy or lack of self-control, it's more about how the task or thing makes us feel. Think about that. When you know you have to do something that you don't particularly get excited about it's harder to do it.
Here are some of the top reasons why we procrastinate:
Lack of direction
Fear
Self-doubt
Unresolved emotions
Stress or anxiety
Understanding the reason why you are procrastinating will help you to develop a solution. Think about this, in the chapter in Joshua, they hadn't done it, I think they were probably comfortable, and lacked real direction on how they should really divide up the land. I'm sure there were a lot of emotions tied to that as well. Have you ever had to make decisions about how you were going to do something when you had deep emotional ties to it. It makes it hard to get started. I have learned something about myself over the years. One thing I've learned is that if I'm overly stressed, anxious or my environment is in chaos, I find it extremely difficult to motivate myself to do anything. So as I read through this chapter I realized that it's important at different times in your life, to find an accountability partner, a coach. Someone that can help walk with you through the process. Once they were given proper instructions, and a course to follow, they were able to do exactly what they needed to do. Show yourself grace, and hire a coach. Find a "goal"friend and work together to accomplish what needs to be done to move you into your greater purpose.
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