I'm really not procrastinating about writing an essay about procrastination. I'll get it finished. One of these days.
--posted from 12/02-2/04

That really says it all, doesn't it? One of these days. As in, I'll write that book, one of these days. I'll take that class, one of these days. I'll do this, do that, one of these days.

One of these days might never arrive. One of these days, you'll wake up and realize that you don't have many days left to do what you always intended to do. One of these days, you'll run out of days, and then where will you be?

Last week, on DisOrganization, I posted a quote from Neil Gaiman that he wrote in reply to a question about when to stop writing. When to give up. When you know without a doubt, that you have failed.

Putting it off until "One of these days" comes to pass only shrinks the possibility of success. Never allowing yourself to achieve a dream--whether it be writing a novel, publishing a book, or whatever your secret desire may be--will diminish you as a person and leave you with regrets.

I respect myself too much to do that to myself. I can't give up without ever trying. And neither should you.

Procrastination = Fear. If you could do anything, what would you do? Who would you be? Where would you live?

If you were not afraid of failure--of being ridiculed by those you look up to--what would you accomplish?

With those thoughts in mind, I wrote down a list of goals for myself, a list of things I wanted to do with my life. Not things other people thought I should do with my life. They are my goals and only my goals. No one else can claim them, although you might have similar goals yourself.

Working up this formula for my goals made me realize how many times I had put something off with a "One of these days..." or an "Eventually..." or a "When I get around to it..." and also made me realize how much I was hurting myself and my dreams by letting my fear block my chances of success.

I have my goal list now (and if anyone wants to borrow my formula, just email me) and I've crossed things off. It feels good to accomplish my goals. And it feels good to have a plan, even though it is always subject to change.

Don't procrastinate. Don't be afraid. Take the road less traveled, and you'll become a better person because of it.

2/14/04

 

 

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