While working with a group of clients on motivation, I discovered something rather liberating: animals procrastinate! It’s true – studies have shown that many members of the animal kingdom will trade comfort for progress when push comes to shove. That’s right; it’s natural, so go ahead and finish reading this article later. Take a nap, watch the next episode, and don’t worry so much. There’s always tomorrow!
Procrastination
While we’re on the topic of tomorrow, that nagging list of things you haven’t accomplished yet remains, and with each sunrise, another tomorrow is gone. That’s where we differ from the rest of the animal kingdom. For right or wrong, we grapple with our mortality and legacy for a disproportionately large portion of our lives.
Okay, so forget what I said earlier – get going! What are you waiting for? You and I both know you should’ve learned that second language, written your first novel, and developed glutes of iron by now. Why haven’t you? What stops us from attempting the things we wish to achieve?
Turns out, the reasons for procrastination are just as complex and ingrained as anything else that drives our quirky little species to do or not do the things we do or don’t do.
Self-Esteem
How’s your self-esteem? Honestly, how do you see yourself compared to others? Do you fear failure? Does everything have to be perfectly aligned before you act? Studies have indicated that procrastination is, at times, a manifestation of depression. Not feeling deserving of success or fretting over potential embarrassment due to a perceived failure are core concerns for most of us.
This programming goes back further than most of us realize. What is often labeled as lazy is usually much more involved, and when we oversimplify, it’s detrimental. Without understanding the cause of our hesitation, it will always seem as though we’re just letting the time pass by without living up to our potential. This inactivity acts as a dam, holding back a reservoir of frustration, which only serves to exacerbate the feelings of low self-esteem or fear of failure that prevents us from acting.
The Subconscious Mind
Our subconscious mind, powerful though it may be, is still a toddler when it comes to what it wants. It wants us to feel good and safe now. Not later, now. This comfort zone we spend much of our time in is also the prison of potential. Summoning the will to wake up and take a new direction is difficult. It goes against the program. Temporary inconvenience or discomfort is always required for growth and change. It’s unpleasant, it’s difficult and that’s why accomplishment feels so wonderful. Regardless of the change you’re interested in making, it will require you to behave differently.
Aligning your subconscious mind with your goals is the most effective way of mitigating the pain associated with substantive change. Through hypnotherapy and neurolinguistic modeling, the motivation to leave the comfort zone behind in search of growth will come from within. Developing new neural pathways will lead to different reactions when opportunities for growth arise. You’ll feel energized and full of certainty, ready to grow.
Think of anyone you truly admire. Did they suffer hardship, put themselves in the way of adversity, or take on a task that seemed insurmountable? Of course, they did – and that’s what you admire about them.
Learning that second language, writing that first chapter, running your first 5k, or anything else that you want to do but have yet to do are your opportunities for growth.
How would you feel about your own reflection after having notched one of these accomplishments? You’re the star of the show, but that doesn’t mean you need to do it alone. You already have all the motivation and resources you’ll ever need to accomplish everything you want. Blackbird Hypnosis can help you access all that and more!
Let’s go!
Marcel Touponse is a Hypnotherapist, Sound Healer, Life Coach, and Tarot Reader. He co-owns The Blackbird House in Old Wethersfield and operates Blackbird Hypnosis. Marcel’s goal is to assist you in “becoming aligned with your mind.” He offers regular workshops on Self-Hypnosis and is available for small and large group tarot readings.
Erin Touponse is a Mystic Healing Reiki, is a Reiki Master/Teacher, Hypnotherapist, Pranic Healer, Tarot Scholar, and student of Shamanic studies. She is co-owner of The Blackbird House in Old Wethersfield and author of Soul’s Journey—A Practical Guide to Reading the Tarot. Her goal is to help you “awaken your inner healer.” Erin offers classes including Reiki, Tarot, and Master Healer Workshops.