50 Shades of Delay

Earlier this summer I decided to really work on my goal of getting things I was saving organized into respectable files, folders, boxes etc. Initially I got little done because I would be distracted looking over the articles, pictures, mementos and recalling the memories, then time seemed to slip through my fingers and what I started at 8:00 a.m. was hardly 10% finished at 5:00 p.m.

I realized I needed a better plan so I began to tackle one specific aspect such as “family vacation photos” and gave myself a specific amount of time to complete the task. Yes, I did get distracted once in awhile but more often I never really started. I would say, “after I write the blog article,” or “clean the house”, “start the laundry”, “drive to the grocery store” etc.  I might have had my “organizational plan” on my calendar but I also had many excuses up my sleeve.

I knew I was just procrastinating a job that needed done and my life would be easier when I put all the things in the place I truly wanted them. That’s when I got down to business and put little else on my calendar until I addressed the project at hand…and now the photos are sorted, dated, organized into files, the articles are filed under topic, the folders of interview notes, suggestions and observations also are colored coded and filed and I am a far happier lady.

You see, we all do it. We all have 50 Shades of Delay when it comes to doing a task. It’s not even about learning to eat the elephant one bite at a time as much as it’s about finding a fork to start our repast.

Here are 50 reasons we often put off doing something. See if you can find your excuse in the mix.

Maybe you have even used one of these reasons for why you haven’t yet started to make your PASSION HAPPEN.

50 SHADES OF DELAY

“I’ll get to it (when)….”

1. I have more time

2. I am less stressed

3. I am out of school

4. I get married

5. I figure out the rest of my life,

6. I pay off the debts

7. I have children

8. the children are all in school

9. the children have graduated

10. I have more energy

11. I am retired

12. I am in better shape

13. I get a sign from God

14. the house is paid off

15. it feels like the right time

16. I have more money

17. I know myself better

18. the product is perfect

19. the right guy/girl comes along

20. I leave my job

21. I settle down

22. I am more mature.

23. the kids leave home

24. I have more free time

25. the economy improves

26. I have more options

27. I’m 30, 40, 50 etc.

28. I get my bucket list written

29. I get my degree

30. I have more resources

31. someday

32. next year

33. my life is not so crazy

34. all the stars align

35. I finish the _____

36. I’m not tied down

37. my health improves

38. my job is not so demanding

39. the divorce is final

40. I have all the plans in place

41. I have no choice

42. the circumstances are different

43. if someone else goes first

44. after this other project is complete

45. in my golden years

46. before I die

47. I finally get all the things I need together

48. if I am fired

49. next week, month, year

50. tomorrow

We can make up a million reasons to delay things; even things we want.

There is something about simply getting started whether packing for an exciting trip, beginning an exercise program or organizing our “unorganized stuff’ that often starts with one of the 50 SHADES OF DELAY.

What about you? Do you have another SHADE OF DELAY you have been guilty of using?

What are you putting off doing that you know you should have started YESTERDAY?

 

Originally posted on Finding Your Fire.