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Don’t Let Procrastination Get You

Nothing is more fatiguing than the lingering thought of an uncompleted task!


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Teronie Donaldson

2 years ago | 3 min read

Nothing is more fatiguing than the lingering thought of an uncompleted task!

“The dread of doing a task uses up more time and energy than doing the task itself.” — Rita Emmett, author of The Procrastinator’s Handbook.

I was dreading putting new flooring in my basement. I theorized it could take forever. I thought about getting help, but I didn’t want to hire anyone due to the expense. So I was on my own. I had supplies, and I knew how to do it — after all, that’s what Youtube is for.

However, I let procrastination get me. In fact, I spent 8 months thinking about doing that job. Every time I went into my basement, I complained about how ugly the floor was or said to myself, “I need to get this fixed.” I kept putting it off.

One day I had enough. I decided to do the floors that upcoming weekend. It was either do or die.

I learned a valuable lesson; “Once you finish a job/task, you will be amazed at how little time it can take.”

From start to finish, with a few breaks in between and not much experience doing floors, it only took me 8 hours. I couldn’t believe it. 8 freaking hours!

I wasted all that mental bandwidth for months thinking about the floors. I came up with so many excuses in my head and even convinced myself I couldn’t do it. As the old saying goes;

“Whether you think you can or think you can’t, your right!”

That was a valuable lesson I always remind myself when it comes to procrastinating on a task or more important goal.

How many times have I put off a task because I didn’t feel like doing it? I know I put it off fixing the floors for that reason. I preferred spending time doing anything else. However, time would pass regardless of whether I did the job or not.

The lesson was an example that most tasks, jobs, or opportunities are like my “floors,” they represent a job I procrastinate on to my disadvantage.

I have learned that life can be tricky; if you seek an effortless job or lifestyle that will release you from unpleasant work, chances are you won’t find it. If you want progression or a win, it will be on the other side of that tedious or unpleasant task.

When I finished the floors, the rewards were plentiful.
I immediately had a better floor.
The basement looked great.
I got the satisfaction of people complementing it, validating my Youtube education. Thanks, Youtube!
Also, the experience of doing flooring is a skill that can become an additional income stream if I can practice.

This was the benefit of just doing my floors. What if I applied the same lesson to building my business. Writing my articles and books, making those opportunity calls, connecting with different people, and adding value to others. Finally, fulfilling those goals I am procrastinating on.

I think I could be unstoppable. Same for you, if you applied the same lesson of not letting procrastination get to you.

You could say to yourself, “I hate doing this job, but I have to, so it’s best to get it over with.”

I find that is the difference between successful people and others not so successful. They don’t let procrastination delay them. Observe the top achievers in any organization or area of life; they are the ones doing what they have to do and not procrastinating.

I have come to understand;

“That which the fool does in the end, the wise man does in the beginning.” -R.C. Tench.

Once you do what you have to do, you will free yourself from the guilt and stress caused by putting it off. You will eliminate the lingering task’s mental clutter and possible stress caused by the job. You will find yourself functioning at a higher level and feeling happier and freer than you could imagine. Trust me on this one!

Time is not measured by the passing of years but by what one does, how one feels, and what one achieves.

Dont let procrastination get to you!

Let me know if this was helpful.

Thank you for reading and take care.

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Teronie Donaldson

Writer | Motivator | Reading Habits Coach | Content Creator. Around Me, Everyone Wins!


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