Wrap Up: Where To Go From Here

Throughout the challenge, I’ve shared a lot of information about procrastination and being proactive. I did my best to break this complex habit down into bite-sized pieces so you could better understand what triggers procrastination. By reviewing typical examples, my goal was for you to recognize similarities in your behavior to help you get a handle on procrastination and develop a positive and proactive lifestyle.

Since there’s so much information out there it may feel like you need days to absorb it all before taking action. That’s a typical response since most people want to know what they are jumping into before taking a big leap. We talked about how analysis paralysis is a function of procrastination, so it makes sense that you could find yourself waiting for the right circumstances to stop bad habits and start new ones.

I’d like to encourage you to start today. You made it to Day 30 of the 30-Day Challenge! While there’s never a perfect time to start doing something new, today is as perfect as it will get. The circumstances may not be what you wanted them to be, but you can begin and figure things out along the way.  

Start Today – Don’t Wait Any Longer

Procrastinators use reasons, aka excuses, to put off tasks and justify their avoidance. Waiting for a specific set of circumstances may be the perfect excuse in their minds. It’s easier to say, “I’ll be more proactive with my next task,” or “It’s ok if I wait on this task because the timing is off for me.” Timing becomes the excuse not to take action, but timing is never perfect.

You may not be able to make radical sweeping changes in one day, but you can take small steps in the right direction. Try dropping one bad procrastination habit today and implementing one proactive habit. Neither will completely stop procrastination but they will build momentum.

• Instead of waiting until the last minute, break a project into pieces.
• Instead of not eating all day, eat small meals or hearty snacks throughout the day.
• Instead of never exercising, take a 10-minute walk after work.
• Instead of eating out often, eat at home 3 times a week.
• Instead of not returning calls, make time for friends.

When you realize the power is within you to make the changes you need to make, you will stop making excuses for why you’re waiting. No one will do it for you. This choice is all yours. Today.

The Power of the Ability to Adapt

People who can live with ambiguity and adapt accordingly have some of the best skills. This ability is wonderful for taking risks, adjusting to change, and avoiding procrastination. Making the decision to beat procrastination will develop important skills that lead to:

• Financial stability
• Better relationships
• Stronger mental and physical health
• Greater opportunities

Taking action towards a proactive lifestyle doesn’t require an overload of information. It can be as simple as making a to-do list for the next day before you go to bed. That is one step in the right direction. The next day, take action on the list and cross things off as you go. Each time you successfully complete a task, you are being proactive.

Don’t wait until the timing is just right to start a proactive lifestyle. The timing will never be perfect, but you don’t need it to be to have success.

Where We Go from Here

Hopefully, you’ve been completing projects and have felt the sweet feeling of success, so why stop? Let’s keep going! From here, it’s important to identify where you want to go and how you’re going to get there. Consider what worked and what didn’t. Think about ways to expand what you’ve already learned.

• If you enjoyed journaling and love studying the Bible, consider Bible journaling to help you seal scriptures into your mind and heart about work, productivity, and not putting things off.
• If you enjoyed planning, consider making time to do it with your kids to teach them a positive habit that will help them in life.
• If you found it helpful to mediate or pray, set time aside to do it daily.

Whatever worked, do more of it. Whatever didn’t, let it go. Most of all celebrate that you made it!

These tips will work whether you have been procrastinating on family, life, work, fitness, health, or ending bad relationships. You simply have to identify from works, get the proper help, and make the decision to move forward.

Are you ready to live a proactive lifestyle from here out?