I have been fighting this habit of procrastination for so long that I don’t even really remember. Though I was a good student in elementary and high school, I would often turn in assignments late. It usually was the “big” stuff, a 4-6 page essay that was due. I realized that it never excited me. These assignments had no value. I wasn’t doing the work for me, but because of someone else’s schedule.
I continued this habit of “doing”, not planning. It’s a difficult habit to break.
Doing is static. Being dynamic is energy, action, and force. Compare viewing a still pond of water versus sitting on a beach and watching the waves move in and out. I can find value in the stillness of the water, but a wave (and the ocean) are constantly moving, adapting to small changes in gravity (low tide or high tide).
Observe your Habits
Recently, I began writing down my every fifteen to thirty minutes of actions. I have a “steno” pad. On one side I write my list for the day, and on the other side is the time observation. I am a butterfly or been that moves from flower to flower, but never completes a task in one sitting. 
Even as I write this, my mind wants to move on to another task. It’s a bad habit to break and I am fighting it.
When you are in Weight Watchers or almost any other “diet” writing down what you eat helps you reflect on what was different in your day. It can show you why you didn’t lose any weight this week. Oh yeah! I had two slices of chocolate cake and half a bottle of red wine to wash it down!
Am I Worthy of Change
Lifelong education or learning is an idea of being dynamic. Our brains are so much more capable of learning new ways to make our lives better. We learn to speak, walk, read, write, and on and on. So why do we think that we are not able to learn a new habit?
Because we are afraid. I know that I have a great deal of fear about my self-worth. My parents introduced me to science fiction as a child and a favorite of theirs was Dune by Frank Herbert. A remake of the movie is due out this year, Dune 2020. One of the best quotes from Dune is about fear.
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me, and when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see it’s path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
Frank Herbert, Dune
Putting together a Training Plan
Now you have at least a three-day observation of your habits, understand your self-worth, and face your fear, here are some other items to consider – the next step is to make a plan. When you try anything new, it takes time and you will probably fall before you can run. Just start walking.
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- Make a plan
- Start small. You have to walk before you can run.
- Write down your log. Know where your time has gone. AND BE HONEST.
- Observe your victories and your lessons (they are not mistakes).
- Learn what correction is needed to be better next time.
- You are worthy. Your work is not what determines if you are successful.
I hope that you will be a wave in the ocean and cause great things in your life. And if you are still like the pond of water throw a rock into it and see the ripple effect of your action.