Disappointment. What a thoroughly nasty topic.
We can feel disappointed when:
- we let ourselves down
- we eat or drink too much
- we watch too much Netflix or Amazon Prime (I just discovered what binge watching feels like)
- we let other people down
- we experience loss
- our efforts don't pan out as fully as we'd like
- our to-do lists don't seem to get easier to manage
- continuing our efforts towards self-improvement seem futile
- other people let us down
- we struggle with illness or disability or addiction
Why would I want to bring up such a nasty topic as disappointment? Because it underpins all Procrastination and because it is an inescapable part of life. Procrastination begins when we use the force of our intelligence, drive, and creativity to avoid facing the potential for disappointment in ourselves or from others. Although Procrastination seems a sweet trade-off of inaction for a few seconds of peace, Procrastination tends to seed the very disappointment we want to flee from. It's like pumping the brakes repeatedly as you're driving down the road — that driving pattern doesn't get your very far very fast and certainly makes for an uncomfortable ride.
We are inundated with material informing us we can perfect ourselves and pursue our passions, but I wonder if that leads to the twin phenomena of disappointment and Procrastination. It's as if there is no tolerance for mistakes or missteps. It feels like there is little room to discuss openly these small matters that cause us to feel ashamed or embarrassed or less than.
I think it is essential that we deal with our sadder, heavier thoughts and feelings if we are to stand a chance of making good on our to-do lists, our dreams, and our potential. We all have them, both sad feelings and humongous potential. Let the sad feelings serve your potential and let your potential ease your sadness. Stop pumping the brakes. Take the time to Procrastinate if it helps you, then release, recover, and restart.
I just spent a lot of hours getting acquainted with The Good Wife and taking a much needed break from reality. How have you been dealing with things lately?
