Saturday, January 18, 2025

Understanding Procrastination

I became a world class procrastinator in my early teens. If I could put something off... I did. 

I admit to never giving my tardy habits much thought until I went into the Army. Suddenly I had to be on time, all the time. It was gut wrenching. A slap of reality. Some lessons were learned.

No more delaying tasks that were boring or unattractive. Nope. Being a procrastinator had negative consequences that weren't worth it. I still put some things off these days because being retired provides more opportunity to be sloth-like without major consequences.  

For the record, procrastination is a common part of human behavior, but it can also become a habit that affects your well-being.

Researchers tell us that procrastination can be linked to low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and poor study habits. It's also a way to avoid negative feelings like dread, incompetence, or insecurity.

------------------------------------------------------------------

5 Ways to Stop Procrastination

(#1 Center for Clinical Interventions)

1. Reduce the number of decisions you need to make throughout the day. Every decision has an energy consequence.

2. Finish your day before it starts...

3. The nothing alternative... 

4. The next action habit-focus on something doable...

5. Adjust your environment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

After reading numerous articles on procrastination, I found that they all agree that the number one cause for procrastination is Task Aversiveness.

In layman's terms, if a task is frustrating, boring, or unpleasant, avoid it. People have anxieties and fear of being criticized. They also feel overwhelmed.

------------------------------------------------------------------ 

7 Ways to Overcome Procrastination 

(#2 Psychology Today)

1. Identify your daily goals. In order to stop delaying important tasks, you have to identify those tasks in the first place.

2. Set specific goals.

3. Set realistic goals - change your inner dialogue

4. Include easy tasks.

5. Find your productive flow.

6. Include accountability.

7. Factor in room for faults.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Now that we've explored the negative effects of procrastination let's take a look at the other side of the coin.

Some experts at Harvard University claim that moderate procrastination can have positive aspects, like allowing for more creative thinking, better decision-making by giving time to mull over options, and potentially leading to more efficient work when you finally start a task due to the pressure of a deadline.

As it Stands, procrastination can be bad... and good. It depends on if it's chronic or moderate. 

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

No Limits on Imagination

It strikes like lightning. A spark that sets your mind on fire and ignites your spirit. The moment you allow your imagination to run free anything is possible.

Imagination allowed our ancestors to make sense of the stars. Now we are paving a pathway to other planets with technology so advanced that it was thought impossible fifty years ago.

Mankind relies upon imagination. In fact, historian Yuval Noah Harari, author of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, claims that imagination defines us as a species.

From the invention of airplanes to the construction of space stations, humanity does not advance in a linear fashion, but through spectacular leaps of imagination.

You want to know why mankind is the superior species? It's our ability to think about things that are not real or that do not yet exist. That imagination solves problems, spurs new ideas, and is a way to entertain ourselves.

Albert Einstein once said, "the true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination." 

If you think about it unlocking our imagination is like owning a superpower. Scientific research indicates that more robust daydreaming is associated with superior intelligence. I'm not entirely convinced of that because I do a lot of daydreaming without tangible results. I've been accused more than once in my school days of "having my head in the clouds."

According to researchers' imagination is a skill, not a trait we lose.

People talk about children's imagination springing forth fully formed in their young minds. 

That's because children engage in pretend play and often seemed absorbed in imaginative activities. However, upon closer inspection these activities are less imaginative than they first appear. For example, when they make things, they typically simulate real world activities.

There's a difference between active imagination and having an extraordinary one. To fully unleash your extraordinary imagination requires knowledge: the examples, principals, and models learned from others.

As it Stands, the more we know, the further our imaginations can wander.

Sipping 'Tree Spirits' Sounds Scrumptious

To all you drinkers of alcoholic spirits I have a surprise for you. I just discovered a spirit that will delight your senses and give new ...