The Waiting Game

The start is often the hardest. Once the momentum builds the magic manifests, but taking those first steps requires significant energy. Thus, we’re victimised by procrastination and fall into the chronic tendency to keep putting things off. To overcome it, we must first understand where it stems from.

It could be a motivation problem. Only when our ‘why’ is deep enough, will our motivation to act be strong enough. When something has captured our imagination and ignited our enthusiasm, it generates a fire of desire that impels us out of the blocks. They say the best alarm clock in the world is purpose.

For others, it may be a confidence problem. Even if we are motivated by something, we procrastinate when we lack the confidence and faith that we can achieve the goal. We have to believe it’s possible. Due to fear of failure and embarrassment, many fail to even start the journey. Sometimes we can be our own self-destructive enemy.

Procrastination can also be connected to the environment. It’s difficult to swim against the current and most people will just decide to give up. When the atmosphere around us is unsupportive and the people are sceptical, disempowering and negative, it can erode away our determination.

Yet, even when we have the motivation, confidence and the right environment, if we are victimised by a lack of planning, coordination and organisation, that can also imprison us in procrastination. Often times we just don’t know where to start, or we can’t see how the defined activities will lead us to the goal. I personally keep a diary, plan my steps with short-term tasks and consciously integrate them into a long-term plan. Failing to plan means planning to fail.

Excerpt from “Tattva2: Old Words Open New Worlds”, available on: books.keshavaswami.com/tattva2