Procrastination

Procrastination pilates

If we procrastinate, it’s not that we’re being lazy, it’s often that we’re feeling uncomfortable with what we have to do, so we avoid it and find distractions.

Feelings of discomfort are different for everyone.

Some of the things that may hold us back from starting are;

1. Perfectionism – Spending time getting it perfect can take away from getting it done. So focusing on progress is better than perfectection.
EG we often think we need to do a full hour class, sometimes we just won’t start, Where as if we say we will fit in 10 mins, it’s far easier and still helps us to feel good.
 

2. The unknown – staying in a situation we are miserable in.
EG feeling unhappy with ourselves, or with our body, yet not knowing how to feel any different.  Breaking habits can be challenging at first, as fear of the unknown and change is sometimes not easy. Starting something new like new workout routine, is often not easy.

3. People’s reaction – worrying about what people will think of us can sometimes stop us from doing what we need to do.
Eg if we haven’t focused on taking care of ourselves before, like putting ourselves and or health and wellbeing first, it can be challenging to start a new routine. To make a stand and do what we need to do for our own health, even if it means putting ourselves before others and not worrying about what they think.

4. Making mistakes – It doesn’t matter if we don’t get it right or we fall off the wagon/the routine. We always learn from whatever we do. Sometimes we fear that we can’t commit to ourselves or our attempt at a new routine. We have to keep trying, starting is key. 
 
5. Success – sometimes we can fear what may happen if we succeed. Eg if it requires more discipline, more time, giving something up. Like if we get healthy does that mean we can’t have a glass of wine etc. We can make our own rules, we can have a balanced life and still be healthy.
 
6. Living up to expectations – sometimes we can get performance anxiety, if we can’t do what is expected of us. If we don’t feel good enough or feel we will let people down. Always doing what is right for us is important, listening to our body and knowing our limits or starting point is important. Only competing against ourselves is also very important. 

7. Too much responsibility – Sometimes we’re afraid that a new routine will require us to be consistent and have discipline that we worry we can’t keep up with.  It’s important to set realistic goals, that we don’t feel overwhelmed with and know we can stick to.

8. Finishing – we can sometimes worry if we can actually finish a task. EG maybe we won’t like it any more, or get bored. There is only one way to find out and that is to give it a go. Sometimes things grow on und we surprise ourselves!
 

To move from procrastination to progress

1. Identify what exactly we are procrastinating and avoiding
2. Be honest about why it’s uncomfortable
3. Identify the easiest first step to take now to make progress to reach the first goal.
 
“To reach our goals, we need to get comfortable with the uncomfortable”

“Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.”

 
Here are some extra actionable steps to take 
 
1. Set an appointment with someone and or in your calendar
Having someone wait for you helps you make sure it gets done. eg go for a morning walk with a friend, or tell someone you’ll be posting a check indaily  into the members Facebook group. Ask someone to check in on you if you don’t post.
 
2. Chart your progress
Write down your workouts. eg Print the monthly or blank schedule. Seeing the things you do, helps you to stay motivated. Note how you get stronger.  Try not to break the chain when you tick off your classes each day, 2nd day, or whatever your plan is.
 
3. Set a goal
eg 2-4 times per week and schedule it to help you stick to it! Also remember to reward yourself if you achieve it. No achievement is too big or small.
 
4. Mix up routine 

To keep it interesting, do some different activities, mix your Pilates, Yoga, Barre & weights classes with walking, swimming and other activities.

5. Workout in the morning 
This is when our motivation is at the highest. After a long day at work, energy and motivation is decreased. Plus exercise will help the blood flow and keep you energised throughout the day.
 
6. Make small incremental changes 

Remember any habit is built over time. Being consistent over time is what helps us build a habit. Make your body a priority, and remember most of all to enjoy what you do. To stick to something you need to like it. 

7. Set yourself up for success
Make it convenient. Put your mat out on the floor to make it easier to actually do your workout. Have your space set up so that it’s easy to press play for a class on your device. This way you have less ways to make excuses. 
 
 
Here are some great bonus mindset tips from Brian Tracy.
 
1. Change your thinking 
If you change your thinking you will change your life.
Here’s a trick, to help pull you away from the temptation to procrastinate.
 
Say the words...Do it now. Do it now. 
 
These magic words will motivate you and push you to get started.
When you repeat these words often enough these message will get pushed deep into your subconscious and act as a trigger for getting things done right away.
If you spend all of your time thinking about how your habit of chronic procrastination gets in the way of your goals, motivation and dreams then your subconscious mind will accept that as the truth and that’s how your life will continue to be.
 
If instead you spend your time think about how wonderful you are at getting difficult and important tasks done right away, and how incredibly organised you are with your time, then your subconscious mind will start to accept that as the truth, and you will start doing more of those things and overcome procrastination and get more things done faster.
 
2. Time management
Resolve to take action and get it over with. We cannot manage time, as it exists out of our control. What you can do is manage your life. 
 
Time management is really just life management. It is management of the sequence of events in your life. It’s the ability to choose what you do first, second and later, if at all. In this ability to choose, lies your entire life.   
 
When you choose the most important thing, and you choose to do it first, and you choose to do that rather than anything else, you immediately put your life onto the fast track. You can double your productivity performance and output in one day, simply by changing your order of choices, in the way you use your time.
 

The best way you use your time in order, to move closer to goals. The way we do this is by developing a single minded focus on the things we wish to do that will have the most impact on our life right now.

Ask yourself what are the consequences for doing it or not doing it?

What are you going to stop, start, or change today to make fitness your friend every day? Let me know in the comments below. 🙂

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