Here I am sitting in a cute little coffee shop when I’m supposed to be doing my work. I’ll just take a little coffee break – you know – caffeine will give me the little boost I need – and THEN I’ll get to work.
And I’ll just check this one last email – and then I’ll really focus on all this stuff I need to do. Oh cool – there’s this funny link my friend sent me – I’ll just check it out for one second.
Well now here I am on facebook – omg – my friend got married? I had no idea – let me look at all the wedding photos.
And then I’ll get to work.
Now that’s done. Ok. Boy. I’m tired. I think I’ll go back to the coffee shop for another caffeine break.
On second thought – I did so much today already, I think I’ll take the rest of the day off.
Know what I’m sayin?
I just read an amazing book. Maybe you’ve read it too? It’s called The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield. People have been recommending this book to me for over two years now and I finally got around to reading. What took me so long? It is amazing!
I think I know what the evil force is that keeps me from following through. In fact, it’s what Mr. Pressfield’s entire book is about:
RESISTANCE
Resistance is very real, and it can really screw up your life. We all struggle with it, and like it or not, it is a lifelong, daily struggle.
As Pressfield says in the book,
=================
Procrastination is the most common manifestation of Resistance because it’s the easiest to rationalize. We don’t tell ourselves “I’m never going to write my symphony.” Instead we say, “I am going to write my symphony; I’m just going to start tomorrow.”
The most pernicious aspect of procrastination is that it can become a habit. We don’t just put off our lives today; we put them off till our deathbed.
Never forget: This very moment, we can change our lives. There never was a moment, and never will be, when we are without the power to alter our destiny. This second, we can turn the tables on Resistance.
This second, we can sit down and do our work.
-Stephen Pressfield, The War of Art
==================
How can you overcome this sneaky little f***er?
This is your life – so start living it
What are you really here to do? Are you doing it? When you’re lying on your death bed will you be saying –
I wish I had spent more time watching reality tv? No! You are here to contribute amazing gifts that no other
human being can give to the world but you. It’s your life, you get to decide what you make of it. Make it count.
Take responsibility
If you don’t have the results, the money, the success or the happiness you want – there’s more work for you to do. You are responsible for your success (and your failure). No excuses and no amount of blame is going to change that. Either you do the work or you give over to resistance. The choice is always yours, so step up to the plate and own your choices.
Seek out people who will challenge you
Nothing is worse than looking for people to be understanding and supportive of your excuses. It keeps you both stuck. Imagine if you wanted to get in shape, and you told your trainer you were too busy, tired or stressed out to work out that day. And everytime you
did that your trainer so, “Ok. Come back when you feel like it.”
“I’m so busy, broke, sick, tired, stressed” are excuses. And when people buy these excuses and say, “Oh I understand.” They just reinforce your own resistance. If you want to get out of your rut of resistance,
seek out people who are kicking resistance in the bum. They will see right through your “reasons” (ie excuses) for not doing stuff. Remember, resistance is a sneaky little f***er, and will find any possible excuse
for you to stay stuck. When you’re lying on your deathbed do you think you’ll be saying, “I should have made more excuses for why I couldn’t do the things I really wanted”? No!
Step away from the technology
Nothing steals your life away more effectively than technology. Seriously, from facebook to youtube to the Real Housewives (guilty!) to obsessively checking email, texts and twitter, technology is a total time suck and unless you have the self-discipline of a navy seal, it is probably killing your creativity and productivity. When you want to get something done – turn off your email, shut off the phone, silence the music, and focus on just that one thing. You will be amazed at how quickly you can get things done with the urgency of a deadline and
a distraction-free zone.
Be Present
Resistance is a great way of avoiding how you feel. Maybe you feel crappy, depressed, unhappy, disappointed or like you’re not enough. It’s easy to dodge those feelings by filling up your life with noise, gadgets and distractions. But those feelings are going to hang around until you deal with them. Be present, feel what you’re feeling. My coach often says, “The only way out is through.” Let your stuff come up, be present, and let it move on it’s merry way. Yup, it might be uncomfortable, but I know you can handle it, and you’ll feel better afterwards.
Start small
Spend 10, 15, or 30 minutes on a task. Just get the ball rolling. If you’ve been putting something off, it can become extremely daunting and seem like a gigantic, impossible task. 15 minutes of work is worth so much more than 8 hours of procrastination.
================
Join the Think Like a Producer, Act For a Living Program
If you want more auditions, more work and the tools you need to act for a living – make sure you sign up for this program while there is still time.
Seriously – if resistance has taken over your life – break the cycle, invest in your success, and get your butt in gear with a program that will help you take your career to the next level. I can’t do it for you (sorry), but I can meet you half way. Say yes and register now right here. There are only a few days
left to join, so quit your procrastinating already.
{ 0 comments… add one now }