I thought about it for weeks. It probably occupied my thoughts a dozen times a day. Still, it sat undone.
Over forty pages to complete for the law enforcement agency’s background check. That’s a lot of work! I thought. Often I even stressed myself out thinking about all the details I needed to collect to complete the packet.
Closer and closer the deadline creeped.
Finally, the deadline was two days away. I couldn’t procrastinate on this project any longer. I picked up the sheaf of papers and my phone. Only 5 hours later I’d completed the entire packet, sealed it up, and shipped it out.
“I do my best work when the pressure is on.” It’s a common refrain among procrastinators. I have guiltily followed that philosphy for years. I think of what needs doing, then spend my time doing fancy mathematical calculations in my head. Just exactly how long can I keep putting it off?
I would become a flesh and blood version of the statue of The Thinker. Chin in hand and resigned to being frozen in inaction. Contemplating what needs doing and never taking action.
I like to think about working out. I like to think about writing. I like to think about getting out of bed. It’s so easy and seemingly rewarding to think of doing while never getting around to the actual DOING part.
How productive could a day be if you stopped just thinking about what needs to be done and actually accomplished it instead?
Do it today.
