When we skip things we are supposed to be doing, we often do so without a second thought. No problem. No one will notice. I'm only skipping this one time. I'll make it up somehow. I'm far enough ahead so I don't have to worry about missing some lecture material. I can always teach this stuff to myself.
Skipping even sounds like fun. And skipping may even be fun. But with Procrastinators, skipping is very high on the list of the most important things NOT TO DO. But why? When you skip:
- you open yourself up to other decisions that may be detrimental to you, e.g. you may end up watching television for the entire day
- you miss what was intended for your eyes and ears, like test dates and material, explanations that help you get your work done, and the group vibe
- you cause a break with your own sense of progress and then have to bring yourself back up to speed
- you risk becoming a forgotten part of the group you were in, whether it be a class, group, troop, or team
Continuity in your performance may seem hard to come by, but the benefits far outweigh the difficulty of showing up every time. Showing up is perhaps the easiest, most valuable part of your participation in any endeavor. Ensure your own involvement by pairing up with a friend, making a contract with yourself, or rewarding yourself for making it in to school or to work when you didn't feel like going. Then enjoy the calm which comes with being where you belong.
What steps can you take today to avoid skipping things in the future?
