I Keep Putting It Off

There is something I want to make that I keep putting off.

The vision is big and beautiful in my mind. It arrived with a flash of inspiration, as usual.

This flash, this vision, is always the easy part. The making it happen - whew - that's where things can really fall apart.

First, I have to become aware that I'm procrastinating.  My mind says better sounding things like, “I'm too busy or I am focused on more important things.”

(Buzzer noise sounding) Nope. Wrong. I'm putting it off.

Then, I have to interrupt the judgement that immediately wants to jump in as soon as I admit to the procrastination.

Whoa buddy. I'm gonna need you to tone it down now.

And then I need to lean in. 

There it is. That tenderness. That uncertainty. That fear. The real meaning behind the procrastination.

I ask it what it wants to say. It's shaky and timid and I have to ask it to speak up.

It says it might not be a good idea after all. It says it might be too much for me to figure out. It says it might be a lot of work for nothing. It says others might not like it. It says it might look really bad and unprofessional. It says it doesn't want to be embarrassed. It says it might be better to let this thing go...

I have to decide. Do I agree and let it go?

No, but I hear it. I take some deep, slow breaths. I give it a reassuring hug and say, "I'm just going to do this one little next step and see what happens. Don't worry. I will get some help for this and we won't have to figure it out all at once alone."

I feel it relax.  I feel it learning to trust me. I take the one little next step towards my vision.

And that is the process. Over and over again. Until something is achieved. 

☆★ Creative Challenge ★☆ Listen to the latest Doodle-to-Doing, How to Reframe Procrastination to Ignite Creativity. What does your procrastination creature look like and say? How can you reframe it?