Fifty Shades of Delay
You know the drill. You get up and swear you have a plan to tackle that “thing” you didn’t do yesterday and promised you’d handle tomorrow, however, “tomorrow” is now today and you know you are not going to get it done today either.
It’s a vicious cycle this “someday but not today” I will_______.
I know. I have been there too.
Delay binds us in a cycle we might really want to change but simply can’t find the key to breaking free.
There are as many reasons for our delay in starting or completing something we absolutely need to do as there are stars in the sky but I am only going to give you FIFTY.
We all have some shades of “delay” in our lives but for some, it’s not so much about how to eat the elephant as it is how to locate the fork for the repast. Some people stall thinking inertia will simply solve the problem on its own.
Inertia seldom resolved anything. The only way to move beyond delay is to decide you are tired of your excuses and disgusted with your inability to commit to getting a job done.
It’s hard to admit but most of the 50 shades of delay become our go-to habit because it is easier to simply go with the flow of more of the same than to create a change that moves you out of the box and into some less familiar territory.
It’s often why people in abusive relationships stay, why people unemployed tend to remain out of work for longer than typical and why someone with a desire to do more, doesn’t.
It’s just easier not to start the fire. Not, wiser but often easier.
Maybe you just need some help lighting the match and keeping you focused on your final goal.
See how many of these “delays” you have succumbed to and used regularly.
50 SHADES OF DELAY
“I’ll get to it (when)….”
- I have more time
2. I am less stressed
3. I am out of school
4. I get married
5. I figure out the rest of my life,
6. I pay off the debts
7. I have children
8. the children are all in school
9. the children have graduated
10. I have more energy
11. I am retired
12. I am in better shape
13. I get a sign from God
14. the house is paid off
15. it feels like the right time
16. I have more money
17. I know myself better
18. the product is perfect
19. the right guy/girl comes along
20. I leave my job
21. I settle down
22. I am more mature.
23. the kids leave home
24. I have more free time
25. the economy improves
26. I have more options
27. I’m 30, 40, 50 etc.
28. I get my bucket list written
29. I get my degree
30. I have more resources
31. someday
32. next year
33. my life is not so crazy
34. all the stars align
35. I finish the _____
36. I’m not tied down
37. my health improves
38. my job is not so demanding
39. the divorce is final
40. I have all the plans in place
41. I have no choice
42. the circumstances are different
43. if someone else goes first
44. after this other project is complete
45. in my golden years
46. before I die
47. I finally get all the things I need together
48. if I am fired
49. next week, month, year
50. tomorrow
We are more bound by our fears, procrastination and overthinking than we can ever realize.
We can make up a million reasons to delay things; even things we want.
What about you? Do you have another SHADE OF DELAY you have been guilty of using?
What are you putting off doing that you know you should have started YESTERDAY?
Kathy Brunner is a coach for entrepreneurs and business owners. If you have a business that is just not growing as it should be…Don’t Delay. Schedule a Complimentary Consult today and get moving in the right direction.
