How I Began to Get it Done

Posted on February 17th, 2016 by Dr. Andra Brosh

Have you ever thought about doing something only to put it off and put if off until you feel so bad about yourself for not doing it that you never do it? Well, if so then welcome to the boat of procrastination of which I am the captain.

For me the biggest obstacles have always been thinking too much, and doing too little. I can envision and dream like nobody’s business, but when it comes to taking action and following through I kind of “wake up” and bring myself down to reality. It’s good to be real and honest about what’s possible, but my reality is filled with negative self-talk and rationalizations about why everything I want to do isn’t possible.

Needless to say it’s a painful process that leads to endings more then beginnings.

Here’s the good news. I have conquered my procrastination and debilitating self-doubt. As a therapist I wish I could tell you that I came to some crazy good insight about my past that was living in my unconscious and blocking my creativity. It was actually something very simple.

I began.

I began a writing workshop.
I began adding rituals to my day.
I began taking yoga classes weekly.
I began writing this newsletter again.

The simple act of beginning is very powerful. Taking action on what you’re thinking about doing makes it impossible to stay stuck. It creates a tumbleweed effect where you just keeping accumulating more strength and momentum with each step. The very act of acting builds confidence, feels empowering, and it fills the space where insecurities and self-doubt can so easily overtake.

I saved this quote a few weeks ago, and it’s probably because this has been on my mind, but I wanted to share it.

“All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work.” – Calvin Coolidge

This is the process of self-actualization.

Self-actualization isn’t a word I use very often, but I have really come to appreciate it. Actualizing something means to make it a reality. It’s the process of taking a vision or dream and turning it into something viable. I’ve been trying to not be hard on myself about the many opportunities and ideas I’ve missed due to my inability to actualize them because sometimes the timing isn’t right, or we’re just not ready.

So what can you do in your own life to begin? Here are 3 steps to start the process:

Take a few moments to write down what it means for you to begin. What feelings come up when you think about starting a new endeavor or coming back to one you’ve started in the past? Clear out any negative self-talk and take on a beginner’s mind perspective. Starting over is better then quitting, and going back to the beginning is not failure.

Commit to one ritual you can add to your day for one week. It might be waking up 30 minutes early to journal, meditate or read. It can be listening to inspiring music to start your day, or reading a short poem before bed or in the morning. What it is is less important than your ability to do it each and every day.

Pick one thing you’ve been wanting to do but have been neglecting, avoiding or procrastinating. Then think of one step that will bring you closer to the goal. If It’s eating healthier get a cookbook. If it’s starting a blog sign up for an intro class, or open up a word doc and list some topics. Small actions feed into bigger ones.

We all have to start to finish.

Dr. Andra Brosh February 17th, 2016

Posted In: Mindfulness, My Experience, Therapy, Wellbeing