“Action expresses priorities.”

(Mohandas Ghandi)

One of the satellite film channels is currently running a “films you’ve always meant to see but just not got around to it” season. I smiled when I heard that as there are several movies that I’ve meant to watch and just not got around to. Just like there’s books I’ve not got round to reading etc.

The “just not got round to it” is one of the things I can hear when people talk about procrastinating. Despite the fact that people often refer to it as a character flaw that they have, it’s actually normally a clue to the importance that you are placing on an activity/event etc.

It’s possible for the perceived importance of something to change in a moment. For example, if a loved one was to arrive at your work and invite you for a coffee immediately before an important meeting you would probably decline saying you hadn’t got the time. If that same loved one arrived before that same important meeting requiring immediate medical assistance it’s not outside the realms of possibility that would then become your priority.

Granted that’s an extreme example and probably not what people would class as procrastinating. Most often the term procrastination is used when it’s something that someone feels should be important isn’t being done.

For instance, as a student I would suddenly develop a need to have the tidiest room imaginable when it came time to start revising – something that wasn’t normally that high on my priorities.

This week I invite you to notice what you are prioritising. Not to beat yourself up if you find yourself watching TV instead of starting something you think should be important, but to increase your awareness of the priorities you’re choosing. Also remember that some time “off” can really increase your productivity.

If there is something that you haven’t got around to yet you may want to play with the following questions:

1. Is this something that you actually want to do? Is the outcome of this event something that you want? If so you may want to consider how else you can get those outcomes.
2. If you were paid 10 years worth of salary just to do this thing you haven’t got round to yet, what would you do differently?
3. If your own, or your loved ones lives depended upon you getting around to this, what would you do differently?

Have a week full of an awareness of your priorities

Love

Jen

This was originally posted on www.YourChangingDirection.com