“How can we explore beneath the words of lazy and procrastination to reveal deeper clues about what we do, or don’t do, and why we do it?”
What it is that pulls us back? We get clear on our vision. We devise a strategy. We feel highly motivated. We list the action plan. We feel energized. We take action. Then. Then the action fizzles. We seem not to remember our vision. We forget we have a vision. Fog kicks in. Our strategy seems unfamiliar. You ask yourself: did I write that? Did I make that commitment? Our feeling of motivation has left. The action plan takes on the appearance of an adversary. When we see it, we experience a somatic sensation. Our back hurts, our tummy stresses, our wrists become painful. Our energized feeling is replaced with lethargy, avoiding, distraction.
Some like to encapsulate this process in the word ‘procrastination’. Many in fact, call it procrastination. Others call it laziness. Others self-sabotage. Does it really matter what word we use to describe it? Naming it, does have its value. It shows we are somewhat aware of something happening, or not happening. It shows that we are to some extent tuned into ourselves and our daily life. The result of all the words is the same. We feel bad. Sometimes we cannot put our finger on it. Sometimes we twirl around in anxious circles doing stuff which is not focused on getting closer to our vision.
“Why do our actions start to fade?”
In fairness to ourselves, sometimes we are acting in line with the vision, but it doesn’t seem like we are. Actions seem futile and momentum lacks. Have you ever come across a lazy person? In fact, does the concept of a lazy person exist? Does procrastination exist? Self-sabotage? The question really is what creates these words? What is behind these words? Why do our actions start to fade?
How can we explore beneath the words of lazy and procrastination to reveal deeper clues about what we do, or don’t do, and why we do it?
How can we keep a consistent focus on the big picture?
How can we calibrate our perception of ourselves to the reality?
How can the longer term perspective help us to reduce anxiety?
Wisdom Tool Number One: Know it is Not Laziness
Where in your life does laziness show up? Where does procrastination show up? Self-sabotage? What are the events which trigger these words in your head? How does it feel when you become hostage to these words? What are the physical sensations? What patterns become apparent, to you, as you think about this now? These concepts are a veil for something a bit deeper. Go underneath the word and ask yourself the simple question ‘what is holding me back?’. The question is simple. The answer is not so simple, not simple at all. The answer may be beneath many layers. The answer may be buried under many years. Asking the question and becoming aware is the first step. Questions are powerful and your subconscious will mull it over.
“As we move forward to take certain actions, we can find ourselves being yanked back, crudely and suddenly.”
Wisdom Tool Number One: Know it is Not Laziness. The oscillation, moving forward and getting pulled back, can be informed by our own safety mechanism. As we move forward to take certain actions, we can find ourselves being yanked back, crudely and suddenly. There is something deep within us which is facilitating this regression. What is it that is pulling you back? What is it that is trying to keep you safe? What are the events that trigger this? What are the familiar feelings that create this pattern?
Wisdom Tool Number Two: Know the One Focus
Your vision. Your dream. Your purpose. Your reason for getting out of bed. An impact. A legacy. Call it what you will. Many know their reason. Many do not. If you do not know, it can feel crippling. Maybe some don’t think about. Maybe some are living it without articulating it. Maybe for some, it seems like a relentless lifetime search for their mission. If you manage to grasp what it is, get clear on it. Allow it to become vivid. And then, keep a focus on it.
“What is the one word which encapsulates the bigger picture?”
Wisdom Tool Number Two: Know the One Focus. Maintaining a consistent focus on the big picture can be an undulating journey. A joyride. What can help is to bring the Focus to One™. What is the core component of your purpose? What is the one word which encapsulates the bigger picture? This is your Focus to One™. Each time, you are about to make a decision, ask yourself ‘how can this decision nurture my Focus to One™?‘ When you are about to take an action, ask yourself ‘how will this action align with my Focus to One™?’
Wisdom Tool Number Three: Know the Discrepancy
A common theme which pops up is the agonizing way in which we are hard on ourselves. Maybe we are our own worst enemies. Sometimes anyway. Beating ourselves up. The constant feeling of I could do more. I should have done more. How hard are you on yourself? Are you aware that you are being hard on yourself? Much of it has to do with perception. We perceive that we have not done enough, that we are not good enough. The fascinating thing is that others perception of us may be the complete opposite.
“How far have you surpassed what is expected of you but still see a massive gap in accomplishment?”
Wisdom Tool Number Three: Know the Discrepancy. Where are you being hard on yourself? What are the reasons for that? How do others see it? What are your expectations of yourself? What are others expectations of you? What is the gap between the two? What is the reality? What have you already accomplished? What is expected of you? How close are you to fulfilling what is expected of you? How far have you surpassed what is expected of you but still see a massive gap in accomplishment? A gap of your own making, created by accelerating scope creep?
Wisdom Tool Number Four: Know the Perspective
We are told stress is rampant. We can feel the relentless underlying anxiety. What could help us to tame this mad tiger inside of us? A tiger which keeps us awake, directs our poor lifestyle choices, fosters ill health. We have heard all the remedies over and over and have become immune. Yes, yoga may be great, but how many of us are actually doing it? Am I able to enter into a yoga session when I am full of anxiety? Or do I wait until the storm is past and then do yoga? This conundrum may be an example of a catch-22 for many of us.
“Can you see the link between what you do today and what you want to achieve longer-term?”
Wisdom Tool Number Four: Know the Perspective. What causes overwhelm for you? Is it the amount of things you feel you have to do? The length of your to-do list? The impending responsibilities? What gives you most stress? Short-term duties or longer-term deliverables? Are the short-term duties feeding into the long-term goals? Can you see the link between what you do today and what you want to achieve longer-term? Are you feeling squeezed? Pushed into a corner? What use can you make of that big piece of blank paper? What do you want to have achieved in 12 months? 3 months? What actions do you need to take this week? Today? To know you are on the right track?
“Good self-governance leads to good organizational governance.”
To further explore how you can access your innate wisdom to get a handle on self-governance and organizational governance and to get a handle on moving consistently forward, schedule a coaching conversation with Siobhán. Drop a note to siobhan.cahalan@gmail.com to set something up.
P.S. Here are three ways I can help you get to know you, and your organization, better.
- Schedule an exploratory call with me: siobhan.cahalan@gmail.com.
- We will explore how to move forward consistently.
- What is the cost of how stakeholders perceive you in your role as CEO? Find out where you are on your CEO journey. Take the CEO Orbit™quiz!