I think it’s fair to say we’ve ALL been guilty of procrastination at some point in our lives.

For some people, it can be a real issue and challenging to overcome.

It’s also very misunderstood. Procrastination is actually a form of protection. Keep reading so I can explain this more.

When we procrastinate, many of us believe the little voice in our head (the ego) that there must be something wrong with us.

The dialogue in our head tends to go as follows:

1. We set a goal to do something e.g. start eating healthy, going to bed early, exercising more consistently

2. We then don’t follow through with our commitment i.e. break a promise to ourself

3. Ego stories then kick in such as:

“I’m not good enough”

“What’s the point”

“I’m lazy”

“I never succeed”

“Why can’t I be more like [insert person} who is so motivated and disciplined”

4. These mental stories then create feelings in the mind and body such as:

Low esteem

Fear

Worthlessness

Anxiety

Shame

Guilt

Anger

5. We then use external mechanisms to cope, distract and feel better such as:

Alcohol

Scrolling on socials

Mindless eating

Sleeping too much

And other means of numbing and ‘checking out’ per se.

6. Self-Abandonment

Many of us have remained in the above pattern for many years. The key is understanding how your subconscious mind operates.

Remember what I said earlier …

PROCRASTINATION IS PROTECTION

The subconscious mind loves familiarity, predictability, and repeated patterns. It feels safe. Anything that digresses from this triggers fear even if it’s a positive change for us.

Let me give you an example …

Let’s say you haven’t exercised in any significant way for a very long time. You then set yourself a new goal e.g. I am going to exercise a minimum of one hour each day, five times per week.

This goal is too big a shift for the subconscious mind to adapt to because its goal is to maintain the status quo, the familiar, and the old repeated patterns that feel safe.

THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND CANNOT DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN A GOOD AND A BAD HABIT. ALL IT PERCEIVES IS THIS NEWNESS IS SCARY. IT’S DANGEROUS.

So how do we then create change?

How do we get out of the “I’m stuck’ rigmarole?

The answer is START SMALL.

Small changes will not trigger the subconscious into resistance to the same extent as huge changes.

You’ll also be much more likely to follow through.

Each new habit should take less than 10 minutes to complete per day.

The goal is to create new healthy neural pathways. Start small and be patient.

Even 10 minutes will be challenging for the ego. It will come up with all sorts of excuses and self-sabotaging thoughts.

This is normal and okay. The ego loves to chatter. Just witness those thoughts without judgment. They will dissolve and fade away.

Please note …

The more consistently you follow through, the more new neural pathways you’ll create from repeating the habit.

This results in building your confidence, self-belief, and trust.

Here are some examples for you:

• 5 minutes of meditation per day
• Getting out of bed without hitting snooze
• 10 minutes walking per day
• Drinking one glass of water per day
• Disconnect from all electronics before bed
• 10 minutes of reading per day
• Getting more daily fruit and veggies into your diet

Pick your new healthy habit and stick with it for 30 days.

Then give yourself a big pat on the back and repeat.

These small shifts will create positive change and healing.

If you do fall off the wagon, which is likely (we’re human after all) say to yourself “it’s a temporary blip, I’m doing my best, I’ll pick up tomorrow”.

If you need any help kick starting some new health and fitness goals you know where I am.

Simply email GAYNOR@B-FIT.UK.COM or text/call me on 07748298728.

Love Gaynor x