Why Am I Procrastinating?!

Do you ever wonder if you’re on purpose with your work?

Perhaps as you’re creating something new in your business, you just wish there was a bright, flashing sign that said:

“Yes, this is the exact direction to be heading and you’re on your way to success!”

Or maybe even a helping of: 

“Stop right NOW! This could be a good idea, but now is not the time – don’t waste another minute!”

In the move to take my passion for organizing and time management online, I have been in constant question, strongly wondering if this is really the “right” direction to take my business. Am I doing it because it’s the thing to do? Just because not doing it would be missing the boat?  No one wants to miss the boat!  Certainly not me. 

And yes, I realize that if I’m going to mention that I’ve been dragging my feet on something that I am now officially and publicly (drumroll please) a-productivity-expert-who-has-been-procrastinating.  Which makes it kind of important to get to the bottom of things.

I had been noticing that I was putting off certain activities because there was just something uncomfortable about this whole arena online.  I didn’t know whether this discomfort was because selling products online is new territory for me, or that it’s absolutely not the best use of my time and talents, or maybe the learning curve was feeling too steep. So I asked myself: What’s holding me back from moving forward? WHY am I procrastinating here? 

My typical approach when I am hitting a roadblock, (which is how I was viewing my obvious display of procrastination), is to just get into action and keep pressing forward, (you know, versus silently contemplating), but in this case I made an exception.

And guess what? I had a complete epiphany and have felt so much more motivated and “light” –  if that even makes sense. At the risk of letting you inside my head, I’m going to share what I discovered, in case you’re in the same boat.  (Don’t miss the boat!)

Here’s what I learned:

I’m enamored with Frank Kern, Adam Urbanski, Tellman Knudson and other killer internet-marketing rock stars.  I love their stuff.  So, implementing their methods seemed like a real no-brainer. I’ve been building my opt-in list for nearly a year, but between you and me, I never tapped it. Ridiculous? Perhaps. 

But here’s my issue (enter Epiphany):

I don’t want to run email marketing campaigns.

I know how much I can’t stand getting dripped on – even when it’s incredibly valuable info!  Not only that, but I usually filter such email messages to a junk folder, and I teach my clients to do the same thing!

So that’s what was making me uncomfortable. I don’t want to be an internet marketer! (Again, I adore the people out there doing it, it’s just not for me).

So I discovered what the stinkin’ roadblock was! Yay for silent contemplation!

Of course I’ll continue blogging, tweeting, reading and supporting others’ blogs – all the other intelligent moves which don’t involve constant emailing of my list!

Could I be making a mistake by simply staying comfortable, versus following what the experts are saying.  Definitely.   But for me, movement is better than sitting stagnant like I was, just making excuses.

When we’re procrastinating, it’s important to ask why we’re procrastinating, and to really listen for that answer. Either move forward or let it go, because sitting on stuff obviously doesn’t get us anywhere. For me, discovering my real hang-up was what enabled me to deal with it, and press forward in a way that worked. Now I see that flashing sign: “Yes, you’re on the right path – keep progressing!”

Aaaaaahhh!  Hear that?  That’s me taking a big sigh of relief!