Procrastination – What goes on under the Surface

Procrastination means putting off until tomorrow.  Why would you want to put off doing something?  What is the real reason that stops you from doing a task?

Sometimes it can be a fear of not being able to do what is required, however, at other times, the task is easy, perhaps boring and so we are uninspired to start.

For example, filing bits of paper into known categories is easy and if done on a regular basis take a short time.  Why do we let it build up?

What would happen if the filing was completed?  Would it mean that the next task would be too frightening?  Would we become bored with nothing to do?  Perhaps there is another reason?

If we dig deeper it will help to lead to the real root of the problem.  When this has been discovered, we can then prepare to let go of whatever the cause and become free of the underlying problem.

Let’s take an example and use an inability to start the filing.

Why don’t you like filing? It’s boring

If you let the filing get out of control how will that be for you? I’ll waste a lot of time looking for bits of paper when I need them and can’t find them.

If you had more time, what would you do with it? I would play more sport.

How would you feel if you played more sport? I would feel guilty as I ought to be working.

Why ought you to be working? I need the money.

How would it be if you could earn money in the time you would have been looking for lost papers? That would be great – how do I do that.

We started off with the inability to file and we ended up with the lack of knowledge to make some money.

The next step would be to discover the core beliefs about money and then set about changing the belief system to allow for more money to be earned.

The core beliefs are many and this is just one example.