27. Turning Procrastination from an Enemy into an Asset: Part 1

INTRODUCTION

The temptation and actual process of procrastinating has brought many woes to many artists over the years, and continues to be something that we seem to have to work and struggle against in any creative endeavor that we might undertake.

But what if you could turn procrastination into an asset? Sort of like a spy who turns someone against their own organization, and then that person becomes a spy for you, for your organization. What if we could do that with procrastination? What if we could make it work for us, rather than against us? I think this is possible, and I'm going to explain why. So first of all, we should talk about what procrastination does.

1. Procrastination is the great energy sucker.

It takes just as much energy to AVOID doing something than to actually do it. So whether you're facing the project ahead of you or procrastinating, it's draining you of your vital creative energy.

2. Procrastination makes us doubt ourselves and our abilities.

Procrastination makes us feel bad about ourselves because we realize we're not living up to our full potential. And a lot of times we don't know why we're procrastinating. We think, "What's wrong with me?" There's so much self- loathing that goes into the notion of procrastination.

3. Procrastination disconnects us from ourselves.

Procrastination shows us that we are not actually in touch with ourselves; what we truly want and what we truly need. In fact, it usually means we operating under the bonds of obligation.

FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE PROCRASTINATE: People do what they want to do.

There were a lot of areas of procrastination in my life, and at the end of the day, it was because I had made commitments to do this or that, that in reality I didn't want to do. I had consciously agreed to things that deep down I didn’t want to do, and my subconscious had taken over in the form of procrastination. People do what they want to do. If they don't want to do something, they don't do it.

UP NEXT

Next week, we will explore part two of this quest - how to actually turn procrastination into an asset. 

QUESTIONS OR TOPIC REQUESTS? 

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SPECIAL THANKS

The Mission with Zena Dell Lowe would like to thank composer Carla Patullo for the original music she graciously permits us to use in the intro and outro of this podcast. To find out more about this amazing talent, go to  www.carlapatullo.com

Tags: Artist, Artists, Psychology, Procrastination, Self-sabotage, Self-help, Writing tips, Writing, Writers, Story, Storytelling, Storytellers, Zena Dell Lowe, Mission Ranch Films, The Storytellers Mission, The Mission with Zena Dell Lowe

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