Procastination " The Sneaky Old Thief"

It's Mind Your Business Thursday. A mindful approach to business brought to you by Bloom Yoga. Today's topic " Procrastination The Sneaky Old Thief". This post was inspired by the words of Fr Sirju at the homecoming celebration of my friend "Ainsley Small". Fr Sirju spoke about the animation of our lives, the outward expression of what's within and fully living . Today this made me think of the many wonderful ideas we have or simple urges to try new things that we often sweep under the carpet in preference for the same mundane way we have practiced doing the same old thing.

Have you ever had the thought to try a new recipe ? or change your hair style or go on a solo trip "adventure" , take up a new craft or simply fold that basket of clothes that's been sitting in the corner. These are urges for the animation of your life. I've become more aware of my ignoring of these little taps on the shoulder to live more fully and creatively.  Let's explore some of the ways  in which we subtly  procrastinate

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS

Procrastination in this way is not only about big things . It is about all those little things. If we practice procrastination we can become really good at it for the important things.  There are days we procrastinate drinking water. Sounds funny but it's true. The fridge seems too far and our seat feels very comfortable. Why get up?.  Saying it out loud seems ridculous yet everytime we delay the little good that we have direct control over, we are practicing " delaying the greater good we having been dreaming about.  In a sense we are practicing the energy of  inaction . It's a slow , subtle process of stealing our deeper desires away. If we are honest we can live  replica's of the same day every day. If you feel called to try a new dish, or comb your hair in a different way or sleep on a different side of the bed, or go out on your own.  DO IT. These are invitations from inside to live a more expanded life. Though seemingly unrelated to your business goals , these practices will aid you in getting off your seat and doing something for your business that's novel and that can really transform the work that you do and you . Don't ignore these little inspirations. It's the practice of being brave.

" Ignoring the little calls to activity , Ignores your own creativity" Bloom Yoga

NO COMPANY BUT ME

Have you ever had a great feeling to do something? . Instead you put it off because you did'nt have company to do it.  Whilst it's wonderful to have a companion , choosing to not do something because of the need of company is indeed a subtle form of procrastination. If you look at your industry or business community for " trends" or direction on what to do next , you miss your own nudgings to be a community or business " leader" in your industry and start your own " trend". Every time you have the idea to do something ,  to go to a certain place , but deny yourself because of lack of company you give away your power to explore and to be inspired by the larger call of you . That idea that you've had that you think is silly or just a whim. It's not . It is in fact a beautiful beginning . Don't wait for company, approval or the trend to give you permission As Bob Marley sings " Get up  and Stand Up  for your rights "

" I have a responsibility to the ideas and desires that come to me, with or without company " Bloom Yoga

INNER CONVERSATIONS WITH TIME

I've left this for last though this is often where it starts. There are inner conversations that support our procrastination. Things we tell ourselves to get ourselves out  of animating what's within . One of the chief culprits is " I'm bored".  Like a teenager with lots of time on their hands and no idea what to do. We adults are like that sometimes. When bored we want something big to transport us out into magnificence . Yet as Buddhist practioners know , washing dishes or clothes or polishing furniture is as good a thing to do when you feel that way. To live , move and be and be useful , making good of your living capacity. Yet  the voice of delay sneakily says " No another day" , "No another hour", hmmm maybe next week . This conversation with time can be used to  delay our dreams and also opportunities. If you find yourself saying tomorrow ,next week, next month during your day, STOP, PAUSE BREATHE and say TODAY!!!. TODAY I WILL . I will start the blog. Today I'll send that email. Today I will learn something new about my craft. Today I will appreciate myself by not playing games of procrastination with myself and my dreams.

" Right now there is something that I can think or do in appreciation for this day " Bloom Yoga

" This day is currency, it's the most important currency I have on me" Bloom Yoga

So Let's round up  the culprit, lock them away and replace it with some counteraction TODAY !

SUMMARY 3 WAYS WE PROCRASTINATE 

1.We avoid the little nudgings to animate,to move to be alive

2.  We wait for company to act on our inner promptings

3. Our conversations with time are unconsiously delayed

HOW CAN WE ANIMATE

1. Create lists of things you want to do today and how you want to feel. Create a list of things you want God to do for you today. Stick to your own list.

2. Break your routine. Try something new. Take a different travel route .

3. Have  a note book or board that you write business ideas on. Explore one a little  each day .

4. Go on a date with yourself

5. Interrupt tommorow with RIGHT NOW I WILL ....

Dionysia Browne

Owner Bloom Yoga

Children's Yoga Teacher

           Adult Mindfulness Facilitator