(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)

 

You have the right to say “I Don’t Want To” any time you want. It’s a place of choice, of knowing what you want and that this isn’t it.

There can be pressure on you, from inside you or out, to do something and by refusing you can experience unpleasantness in one form or another. But you are at choice.

Procrastination, on the other hand, is not about choice. It’s avoidance. It’s about not stepping up and choosing or deciding. There is usually a lot of ignoring going on.

To move from living as a procrastinator pause a moment and look at what’s so. Are you focused on possible near- term unpleasantness or on a long-term desirable outcome? On pleasing others (thereby getting a Need temporarily met) or on building the life you want?

You may still decide to not act — I Don’t Want To — but you will be doing so consciously. Procrastinating is handing control of your life over to other forces.

 

Coaching Point: Are you generally free to choose I Don’t Want To?

 

Copyright 2013 Steve Straus. All rights reserved.