Procrastination(prō-,prəˌkrastəˈnāSHən) is an Opportunity(ˌäpərˈt(y)o͞onitē), Not a Suckfest

Procrastination(prō-,prəˌkrastəˈnāSHən) is an Opportunity(ˌäpərˈt(y)o͞onitē), Not a Suckfest

By Leo Babauta

So what should we do instead(inˈsted)? Ideally(īˈdē(ə)lē):

We set a hard task before us.

We feel the difficulty(ˈdifikəltē), but see this as a signpost(sīnˌpōst) that we’re pushing into uncertain(ˌənˈsərtn) ground.

We relish(ˈreliSH) the opportunity to push into uncertain ground, and dive(dīv) in with gusto(ˈgəstō). (I love the word “gusto,” btw.(by the way.))

But that’s not where we are. We have to practice in this way:

Set a hard task, feel like procrastinating because it’s uncertain and uncomfortable(-ˈkəmftərbəl,ˌənˈkəmfərtəbəl) …

Start to procrastinate by going to something easy.

Once we’ve switched(swiCH) over and noticed that we’re procrastinating … we pause(pôz). This Pause is the key to everything.

We see this Pause as an opportunity to practice a key life skill, and we light up with joy(joi). And yes, gusto.

We practice with discomfort and uncertainty(ˌənˈsərtntē). What does it feel like? Is it horrible(ˈhär-,ˈhôrəbəl)? Can we work in the midst(midst,mitst) of it? Can we open up to the discomfort of it all, embrace(emˈbrās) the uncertainty, and see it as a beautiful(ˈbyo͞otəfəl) part of what we’re doing?

Slowly, through this practice, we can get better at not running, at staying with the discomfort, at embracing it all, at being patient and joyful in the middle of chaos(ˈkāˌäs) and the unknown.

Commit(kəˈmit) yourself to this practice. You’ll find it life-changing and gorgeous(ˈgôrjəs).