Tip # 80 Avoiding procrastination means you don’t have to change your life radically
People procrastinate because they’re overwhelmed by the enormity of what they’re facing. To stop procrastinating does not mean radically changing your life, or suddenly switching from one profession to another.
As Carter and Sokol explain, “There is usually a reason why we chose the work we did, have the friends we do, and lead the lives we lead. If you are like people, you don’t want a different life; you just want to be able to manage the one you have.”
Do bear one thing in mind. The more you delay, the more dissatisfied you will be with your life.
Tip # 81 Stress: either manage it or stay away from it
Many people have been known to suddenly wake up one day and decide they want out. They walk away from 20-year marriages, break a childhood friendship and disengage from lifelong commitments.
They decided it was better to walk away from a situation that was generating more stress than they could handle - a wise decision on their part, given that a few reports have zeroed in on it as a potential leading cause of cancer.
Give this simplistic equation a thought or two: stress indecision more stress procrastination inaction triple stress illness!!
Tip # 82 If you decide to manage your stress…
You’ve heard the expression, “something’s got to give.” If you wish to deal with your stress more effectively, you’ll have to cut back on some of your activities because you’ll need a reservoir of strength to confront that stress.
But make a decision now about what you can give up, so that you’ll have some energy remaining for other challenges that come your way. For instance, if you do volunteer work three times a week at the home for battered woman, how about diminishing the frequency to once a week.
Your daughter who was being physically abused by her husband finally had the courage to pack her bags and leave him. She’s now come to you for help and you know it will be a lengthy recovery period. Charity begins at home. Don’t create two different sources of stress. Decide which is more important and take action.
