Stop Putting Things Off

I’m here to tell you to stop putting things off.

Putting things off tends to cause things like anxiety, impulsivity, and procrastination.

Over time these states become our go-to when it comes to doing things we need to get done.

While reflecting on the current state of me and how I got here, procrastination and impulsivity were my go-to for everyday life and sometimes still are.

I struggle with them especially as a small business owner. There’s so much work to be done that it gives me anxiety which leads me to not wanting to do it.

I usually blame my ADHD.

But, deep down I was tired of using that as an excuse.

I developed the “skills” of impulsivity and procrastination in school.

My teachers chalked it up as ADHD and a learning disability.

Really good things to label a ten-year-old who now has to carry it with him the rest of his life.

When in reality it was the way school was set up, it wasn’t made for brains like mine.

Something I didn’t learn until almost 20 years later.

I use to despise school.

I dreaded it.

School was “hard” for me.

I wanted to train, play sports and hang with my friends.

Why would I want to do homework on subjects such as calculus, European history, British literature, and more?

When was I going to need calculus? I didn’t enjoy it then and I don’t enjoy it now.

I never had a teacher pulled me aside to help me understand the importance of studying and while I may not enjoy those subjects now it’s the habits I could be building by studying which will help me later in life. I really wish someone would have taught me that instead of me having to learn it on my own in my mid-thirties. My current behavior was my body’s adaptation to help me survive my earlier years and one that I’ve maintained into my adult life.

I had to learn how to stop putting things off and letting procrastination and impulsivity be the “skills” I used for my daily life. I still struggle with it at times.

What’s helped the most is by starting small. With things like laundry and dishes. Tasks that take no more than 5–10 minutes.

I dreaded laundry I would start a load of laundry on Sunday and not fold the clothes until Friday. I’d put it off for a whole week.

A whole week I’d have anxiety knowing my clothes were in the dryer waiting to be folded. I know it sounds silly but I seriously just don’t want to do laundry.

I remember asking myself “why are you putting something as simple as laundry off? What else are you putting off in your life?

It’s a simple act. Laundry.

My whole life I’ve done that though.

But why? Why put things off?

I know the end result.

Ask better questions.

Why are you putting things off?

Is there a better way to do this?

What else are you putting off in your life?

What can I do today with what I have?

What’s the next best decision in front of me to end this behavior?

Start small

Like doing the laundry

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