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5 Tips to Overcome Procrastination

These 5 tips to overcome procrastination are particularly useful during this busy holiday season. Let me know if anything resonates with you in the comments.

A Little Background Understanding

Today as I listened to my daily Ten Percent meditation, The Nature of Thoughts, this quote by Joseph Goldstein, stood out.

When we are not aware of thinking, thoughts often exercise a great power and influence in our lives. And yet when we are mindful of them, we see their ephemeral, insubstantial nature. This understanding allows us to choose which thoughts are useful, should be acted upon, and which are not useful, and should simply be let go of.

This understanding is key to my 5 tips to overcome procrastination. Part of our avoidance of important tasks is the overload of thoughts that distract us.

The 5 Tips

  1. Adopt a daily meditation practice
  2. Find and utilize your motivator
  3. Start with the easiest task
  4. Or start with the most annoying task
  5. Acknowledge your progress

What If I Can’t Get Past Tip #1?

Truly, starting a meditation practice can seem overwhelming. It doesn’t need to be.

  • Sit in a quiet place
  • Cast your gaze downward
  • Inhale deeply through your nose
  • Slowly exhale through your relaxed lips
  • Repeat deep breathing 2 more time

Congratulations! You’ve just started a daily meditation practice.

But How Do I Find My Motivator?

Sometimes we stumble upon what motivates us. Perhaps you’ve been successful previously? Calm your mind with your new meditation practice, recalling all the aspects of that success, especially what motivated you. Generally, we are motivated by outside influences or an aspect within your personality. My blog about finding these personality traits might be useful.

Let’s Wrap This Up

In addition to the 5 tips to overcome procrastination, I’d like to share a final idea as navigate through this holiday season. As you think about wishing someone well, why not make it something more specific like, Thank you for…

Sitting out here accepting my donation for the kettle

May you be filled with love this December!

Coming Out of the Closet and Into the Light

Coming out of the closet and into the Light exemplifies how this feels physically and spiritually. The warmth of the sun on my face and the embrace of a loving energy.

Coming Into the Light

My first thought is the universal recalling of near death experiences. They tell of a bright light that seems to call their souls as they prepare to leave this earthly plane. Devoid of pain, discomfort, and fear, their longing drives them forward.

Second, my name constantly reminds me of the Light.

What’s in a Name?

Did you hate your name growing up? Was it unusual, too common, or just didn’t appeal to you? In contrast, I always loved my name. Similarly, I enjoy the morning far more than the night.

Basic Beliefs are Revealed

What does this have to do with Spirituality? Everything. My innate curiosity opened doors into the hidden meaning underneath experiences. For instance, as a child, I celebrated seeing a velvet ant, intent on her mission. Furthermore, I chose to study Biology, drawing me into nature as surely as a moth is drawn to a flame.

Some would say I inherited this curiosity from my father. Nevertheless, my belief is I chose my parents before I was born. Their own life lessons mingled with mine as we walked our own paths toward destiny. Similarly, I believe the souls of my children chose me as their mother.

Taking it one step further, you reading this is related to your need to explore more deeply your own purpose, finding understanding when it appears things have gone wrong or simply answering the question, “Is this all there is?”

How Does God Fit In?

Numbers in 3’sIndeed, God is central to my life. Every bird call, butterfly landing on a flower, mosquito buzzing in my ear or repetitive numbers as I glance at my odometer, remind me that God is present all around me…all the time.

Perhaps you are wondering how to tap into this fabric of connection.
Here’s one pathway.

Today I Come Out of the Closet

Today I come out of the closet. First, I don’t wish to offend anyone in the LBGTQ community and certainly not any of my friends in this community. Rather, I want to explore a different closet… the closet where other like-minded spiritual friends joined me in keeping our beliefs secret.

What Prompted This Opening Up?

As I prepared my Asian Chicken Soup, pictured above, my thoughts transported me back in time and space to Denver, Colorado 2014. The faces of the women who shared this soup with me came into focus. Their giggles mixed with mine as we filled our soup bowls in the basement kitchen of our teacher’s office space. Next, we settled into the sofa, or chairs in the sitting area. The silence broken by quiet sounds of contentment.

Our Common Ground

We gathered every three weeks or so to learn about ourselves and our special gifts. The class title, “Psychic and Personal Development”, had been shortened to simply “Personal Development” in my mind. Only later did I realize the importance of this class and its affect on me. Milestone steps in our development often escape us when they are happening.

Each of us had come to know our teacher, Kim Moore, in different ways. When she asked how I found her, she was very surprised. It was through a book recommended by a fellow employee at the Denver Police Department. Although he was also in the closet, his intuition prompted him to share. Within this book was the author’s recommended professional psychics and mediums by state. Although there were two in the Denver area, I was clearly drawn to Kim.

A Very Special Group

Apparently, this class was also pivotal for Kim. She decided it would be her last. We all loved watching her rise to a featured speaker at the Mind, Body, Spirit Celebration. Now I am privileged to know Meredith Johnson, The Healing Hummingbird, who will make your debut in the Cincinnati event.

Stayed tuned for more next week…