Do It Now!

"One of the first and most important steps toward any accomplishment is to find out what is holding us back", Sterling Sill. 

What holds me back most of the time is procrastination. Procrastination has been such a problem of mine that I have invested time and money into curing my personal procrastinating disease. I am not a lazy person, nor am I slothful or uninvolved. I merely lack the motivation or have a break down of momentum. Perhaps it's that I get to comfortable and don't enjoy being uncomfortable. I doubt that, but what if a little, admittedly. I have noticed that most of the time my procrastination is due to simply not enjoying it or maybe even my priorities are mixed up? One day I was hit by a boulder of realization and when I awoke I knew my biggest problem with putting things off was and still is, thinking that there is no reward for my effort. Since, I remember many  times that this has been the case for me, I have subconsciously programmed my mind to stall me in doing it again.

As I finally sit down to write my thoughts on the subject of procrastination, I admit that I too have procrastinated this very posting. Mentally, I have put it off because of the lack of response and readers for my thoughts on this life in perspective blog. Well, really it boils to the fact that people will only read what they enjoy. I suppose I better make these posts more enjoyable then. LOL.

Sterling Sill told this about his personal procrastination realization, "One day my father sat with me and showed me a large photograph of a sloth, an animal known for its laziness. Then he opened the Doctrine and Covenants and had me read, “For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward” (D&C 58)

“One of the most serious human defects in all ages is procrastination, an unwillingness to accept personal responsibilities now. … Many have allowed themselves to be diverted and have become … addicts to mental and spiritual indolence and to the pursuit of worldly pleasure” (Spencer W. Kimball [2006])

Mr. Sill shares another awakening, "Many of us want the simple way—the process that will not require serious work and sacrifice. Well, I once thought I found it. Driving in the back of a verdant valley above the city of Honolulu, I looked up, and there it was—Easy Street! As I was dreaming of the life-changing benefits of my discovery, I took out my camera to record the blissful moment. As I looked through the viewfinder, however, my focus literally and figuratively became clear. A large yellow sign returned me to reality—Easy Street was a dead end!

Procrastination may seem the easy way, as it momentarily removes the effort required to accomplish something of value. Ironically, in time, procrastination produces a heavy burden laced with guilt and a hollow lack of satisfaction. Temporal and, even more importantly, spiritual goals will not be achieved by procrastination.

Now is the time to exercise our faith. Now is the time to commit... Now is the time to do whatever is required to resolve our undesired circumstances...; Since that day, that image and its lesson have been valuable assets in my life."

In reviewing talks given by Sterling Sill, I reflect his thoughts about the Three I's: 

Ignorance: "If we think that we know it all, we are the ignorant." N.S. Ostergaard. I am the first to admit that I do not know it all. Although, I'd like to think that I do sometimes. When I don't have enough information I will usually put it off until I do. In recent years, I've flipped my ignorance. I now try to do as much as I can and collocate the mastering skills.

Indecision: I think that this is probably my worst enemy. Being able to make a decision and acting upon it. I make decisions every day that will probably do me alot of good in life, but it's the acting upon them that I procrastinate on. Perhaps because I just cannot lock into it being a positive action for me, so it gets shoved aside. I do feel that Mr. Sill said it true, "Procrastination is an important part of indecision. When we don’t or won’t make up our minds, we just postpone action, sometimes permanently. Just think how many people lose their blessings because of procrastination." 

Indifference: For many people, fighting differences is one major cause of putting it off. Procrastination is usually an immediate result of indifference in a decision to act. Therefore, what needs to be done is one again not. The only solution to this is to accept that there is always an indifference and it must be accepted and overcome in order to progress.

I once found a book called The Procrastinator's Handbook. It was a very helpful guide to recognizing procrastination and overcoming it. I wish I had that book still today because I have since been unable to find one. I remember how I felt like it was written for me or as if the author was my personal counselor and I was receiving personal treatment for my procrastination problem. The one thing that stands out in my memory of reading that book is; to do the things you don't like to do very first in your day and get them out of the way. Good advice that I still am procrastinating on doing. LOL.