The driving factor

“The heights by great men reached and kept, were not attained by sudden flight. But they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night” -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I love this quote. I believe that it simply stated that for you to be great or successful, you need to put in the extra work as those great men. It’s a simple process but hard for most to do. Let’s talk a little about procrastination then continue on to wrap things up.

“Human motivation is a very complex thing, and the driving forces behind it can be quite hard to discern. However, if you learn about the link between the different needs and the urge to satisfy them, then you can understand the main driving factors behind human motivation” – Harvard lillethun- Certified coach, teacher and speaker with the John Maxwell Team

Procrastination

Procrastination is the action of delaying or postponing something. The word has origin from the Latin procrastinatus, which itself evolved from the prefix pro-, meaning “forward,” and crastinus, meaning “of tomorrow.” Wikipedia

You will never reach new heights, [in your dreams perhaps], if you procrastinate. We love to keep putting those things off; waiting for the perfect time to finish them. Sometimes the perfect time fail to materialize so the task will never ever get done.

I pick out a few of those reasons from the author from @Bloomsoup about reasons for procrastination and will share my own views in regards to each of those reasons. Below is the author’s first six reasons.

Poor Emotional Regulation.
Fear of Failure.
Skill Deficits and Avoidance
Size, Length and Complexity of the Task.
Unenjoyable Tasks.
Lack of Motivation.

1. Poor Emotional Regulation: This is where one can put things off based on their emotional state. I believe being upset or mad for some put them in a state of isolation. Whatever tasks they were planning to do while in the positive state, change drastically when that mood changes to the negative. I believe I learn how to channel my emotions. My task remains the same no matter what. I certainly believe I can accomplish more being “ticked off”. Happens all the time.

2. Fear of failure: Believing in the reason behind the task is important. According to the author, “Supporting research shows that procrastination linked to fear is reduced to the extend you feel competent to complete your task”. My tasks are not based on failure or lack of…I believe that success will come if you just believe you can or will be successful in your endeavor.

3. Skills deficits and avoidance: This is a good one. Procrastinate based on lack of skills over ability. “The chronic procrastinator, the person who does this as a lifestyle, would rather have other people think that they lack effort than lacking ability”. ..“Do not start an activity your skills don’t match”. That’s the bottom line. Never start a task you don’t have the skills to finish as the author suggests.

4. Size, length and complexity of the task: My tasks are always simple no matter how big. Monthly tasks are broken up into daily and weekly bits. I set my deadlines. I set my hours. I get things done. The opposite of procrastinating.

5. Unenjoyale tasks: As the author stated “If you can dissociate from your emotions and practice mindfulness, any task can be enjoyable, especially if you look for something pleasing in it”

6. Lack of motivation: What is your driving factor. What are you shooting for. What motivates you. I can show many people all the money in the world. All the success they can have with proof. Invite them to join up to do the same. Will get yes(es) until they see the work needed to get it done. If you are not motivated, there is no way that you will succeed in your task.

I used to hate writing…now I love doing it since what I’m writing about comes from the heart. There is no stress. There is no pressure. No need for me to procrastinate. This is my story. This is my reason for being. This is my motivation. This is my driving factor.

Some materials taken from Bloomsoup