Fearing the Finish Line

If you missed my newsletter that was sent out today, you can still read my featured article about how finishing projects can cause terrible anxiety. No wonder we procrastinate! To read the newsletter archive, just go to http://tinyurl.com/4e9u6s5.

Better yet, sign up for my newsletter so you don’t miss a single issue. It’s on the homepage, on the upper right.

Procrastinating? Or Doing it- Your Choice

When you just can’t seem to get something done; when you keep putting it off and putting it off, you spend a lot of mental energy feeling bad about it.

What feels better? Ruminating over something you need to check off your to-do list? Or taking action and getting it done? You choose.

Is it Procrastination or is it Anxiety of the Unknown?

I’ve been working for months on re-designing and setting up my new home office- a space where I can work but also where I can retreat to in order to get away from the madness of everyday life. My objective was to create a practical work space while retaining a sense of tranquility and calm. In addition, the space had to double as a guest room for the occasional out-of-towner.

The work tables and cabinets have been purchased and assembled. The painters are long gone. There’s even a new sofa bed and recliner as well. I’ve spent days unpacking boxes and putting things away. Even the supply closet is looking pretty fine. But I’m stuck!

Getting stuck is nothing new, but I do find that analyzing WHY I’m stuck, often unlocks the key, allowing me to move forward. Often times, it’s simply the ADD “overwhelm”- a feeling you all are more than familiar with.

But in this case, the hardest work is now complete. So why is it nearly impossible to unpack those last few boxes?

I think I’ve figured it out. Because it’s happened to me many times before:

I’m afraid of finishing a project because then I’m faced with that sense of emptiness and the gnawing, anxiety-laden question of: WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

It’s facing that dark abyss– the not knowing what to tackle next. Not knowing which project at hand to work on next. Or worse, having TOO many projects and not knowing which one to choose.

Could procrastinating, then, serve a different function sometimes? Could it be a way to avoid making the NEXT decision? Not just the “where does it go?” decision, but, “now that I’m done, what do I do? Is it, in part, anxiety in disguise?

Does this ring true for you at times? Share your thoughts in the Comment section below.

 

 

Privacy Settings
We use cookies to enhance your experience while using our website. If you are using our Services via a browser you can restrict, block or remove cookies through your web browser settings. We also use content and scripts from third parties that may use tracking technologies. You can selectively provide your consent below to allow such third party embeds. For complete information about the cookies we use, data we collect and how we process them, please check our Privacy Policy
Youtube
Consent to display content from Youtube
Vimeo
Consent to display content from Vimeo
Google Maps
Consent to display content from Google