Why am I putting off today what I SHOULD have done yesterday?

​With tax season in full swing it’s a perfect time to bring up ignoring now what we can do later: translation - procrastination. 

​For some a cash return is at the end of filing taxes yet it can still be a “to do” we don’t rush “to do”.  From a health stance one could argue that procrastination really lines your priorities; other less attractive by-products of procrastinating include stress, anxiety, and shame which coincidentally ranks up with leading topics patients speak of when walking through my office door. 

A good friend once shared that she procrastinates when she feels she might fail at doing something which makes lots of sense. Shall I have a bit of chocolate here or pay the bills, hmmm?  This raises yet another question: does perfectionism drive procrastination and if so we are trading seats on the titanic because perfect is the evil of good enough.  Yes, perfect is the evil of good.

It’s established then, procrastination which carries on longer than helping us sort daily tasks, is creating negative emotions within our minds.  So, what can we do? Here are a few tips to try next time procrastination behavior raises its head and remember, acknowledgment is the first step to making a change.

1) Stop. Breathe. Yes, inhale while you count to four, hold the breath at the top for four then   exhale for a count of four. Repeat. Do it once more.  
2) Ask yourself the question: Am I spinning around because I’m trying to avoid something? 
3) Question 2: What is it I could be “resisting” avoiding, afraid of not doing it right and what is the harm in beginning?
4) Start slowly with the job you have been putting off and remind yourself to be kind to you, always.
5) Smile.