Mapping a Way Through Procrastination

Often times when we face a new project or personal goal we are stopped in our tracks by the sheer magnitude of the scope of our objective. We can list out steps to get to the end but without connecting the dots and mapping the way, we often give up for the lack of a view of the finish line.

I've got good news for you. You already have experience conquering this evil pitfall. Read on for an example of how we so easily accept small deadlines to accomplish bigger goals. (If you don't want to go RV'ing think sports car and four star hotels!)

Today is the best day of your life! You've won the lottery, quit your job and have bought the RV of your dreams! Most people's bathrooms in their houses aren't nearly so big.

Where are we going? The entire country is laid out at your feet. You can visit the places you've never seen, hit the old haunts of your youth or get lost in the mountains, meadows and valleys of the back roads. You need only decide.

You answered that quickly. Good job. No procrastination there. I'm thinking you've picked the back roads, places that are easy to get lost in and hard to get found. Places with no cell phone coverage!

Bye! Have fun!

Wait, you're still here. What do you mean you need to map it out? What does picking a place to stop each night have to do with fulfilling your dream? Who cares if the septic needs dumping? How far can you go until you're full anyway? Just don't eat a lot!

So you're telling me that in order to reach Jackson Hole for its annual film festival in June you're going to plan out your entire trip day by day. You're setting deadlines for the trip of a lifetime? That all you need to do is to follow those individual deadlines and the Jackson Hole thing is just going to happen?

Wow. That's impressive. You didn't even blink at having to organize so much for a 2500 mile trip. Guess what, you've got the formula. You're good for go.

Breaking up a trip into manageable, deadline oriented goals is the same mechanism you'd use to avoid procrastination and gain momentum on a big project or personal goal.

Set a deadline for getting the things you'll need to get started. Make an appointment with yourself to get some new running shoes. And when you do them, TAKE THE WIN! You're on your way. Use that feeling of forward motion to roll right into the next action item or goal. Stick your neck out and put a deadline on that too! We're moving right along here! Before you know it you'll be RV'ing to Europe!