I’ll start tomorrow – I’m so lazy. Procrastination can be frustrating. If this happens just once in a while, it’s probably not an issue. But if procrastination is a way of managing stressful or painful situations, then you need to discover the root causes of them before seeking to overcome procrastination.
My Advice – Quit Making Excuses, Quit Waiting for the Right Time and Quit Complaining [How to Quit]
If this all comes down to procrastinating for you, check out an earlier blog on procrastination by clicking here.
When we are in pain we can be hard on ourselves and we might use terms like, “I’m just lazy” or “it’s too hard work”. I want you to give yourself a break. Read below and decide if this could be what you really are experiencing.
What if you’re not lazy, but really tired – mentally and physically?
It has to be said: this is most often the result of unhealthy lifestyle choices (including stress and relationship issues). Let’s look at the most common suggestions, starting with dietary:
- drink plenty of water
- go easy on the caffeine
- don’t: crash diet, overeat, skip meals or eat big meals
- do: eat plenty of veggies and lay off the sugar.
HINT: women are prone to iron-deficiency, leading to low levels of red blood cells. This results in less oxygen being transported to tissues and muscles to help them work efficiently. To combat this, eat iron-rich foods like lean red meat, shellfish, cooked beans, lentils, spinach, kale and pistachio nuts. BONUS: eat along with Vitamin C for the best “value” (lemons, tomatoes, leafy greens).
Sleep
Get enough! Watch this short TED talk on sleep that is smart and funny as well as informative. Also … 1:41 is the best part! ?
HINT: experiment with different relaxation techniques and find one that works for you. I know, when in pain, this can be a challenge but you have to start somewhere!
Lifestyle
You already know what’s “bad” including cigarettes, too much alcohol and/or drugs, a sedentary existence, stress related to work, and problematic relationships with people in your life. The things you may think relieve your stress may actually be causing it.
HINT: experiment with meditation, yoga, a daily walk in a park. Have more fun; laugh hard and often. Here’s a Facebook Live I recently posted about the importance of having fun.
BONUS: do you get that mid-afternoon slump? That is linked to the brain’s circadian rhythm, but can be reduced by moving your body. Go for a brisk walk if you can, or even stretching for 10 minutes will improve blood flow (reducing inflammation) and boost energy.
What if you have reasons, not excuses, about a situation?
What’s the difference? While a reason is an explanation or cause, an excuse focuses on justifying or defending a fault. A reason is typically logical, rational, and objective. An excuse is an attempt to put the blame on another person or circumstance rather than being accountable for yourself. Looking at it in that light, what is happening in your situation?
What if you really are waiting for the right time?
Perhaps you are embarrassed or you think people won’t understand your reasoning. So you are reluctant to share your thinking. One case in point is a client who consulted me in order to ascertain the best time for him to have an operation (a whole different blog on medical intuitive work). He was not in a hurry to admit to that …
What if you’re not complaining, but venting?
Though one can argue that complaining suggests one is looking or asking for change, it is rarely the case when it is a consistent barrage of negativity. More often than not, complainers won’t take action, won’t listen to feedback, and won’t focus on possibilities. Complaining becomes a repetitive, draining loop, especially for the people on the other end stuck listening. Venting, on the other hand, is about temporarily blowing off steam, not about rehashing over and over the drama of a situation. Venting can even be done alone (exercising vigorously, crying, punching or screaming into a pillow), and is cathartic and an outlet for stress. So, what have you been doing?
What if you’re upset and venting just isn’t going to “cut it”?
Try this easy-to-do “exercise”. Really. Try it!
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