“ I find this fascinating…”
Ciao and Sacred Sunday:
It’s beautiful to me when in my coaching work, I become aware of a similar theme that’s woven through sessions with different clients.
So, it appears that procrastination is up for some of us. Can you relate?
Getting to the root of why we procrastinate isn’t as easy as you might think.
Obviously, we’re avoiding. But what are we avoiding? And why?
On the surface we’re avoiding the unsavory necessary tasks and actions that are boring and dang tedious. Maybe even those “to do’s” that we’re not especially proficient in.
🤔Which recalled an old memory.
Many years ago, my husband and I were hosting a family Thanksgiving dinner, turkey with all the “fixings”.
Now, my husband’s “thing” is to cook the turkey on the grill. I know what you’re thinking, what? You’ll have to trust me here; the turkey turns out juicy and delicious.
After the bird is cleaned and prepped, he then bastes the inside of a brown paper bag with butter. Placing the🦃within the bag he then carefully sets the bagged🦃inside a disposable roasting pan on the hot grates until the🦃begins to brown and crisp. Then he ceremoniously slits open the bag for the remaining cook time.
For days I’d been asking my husband if the propane tank for the grill needed to be refilled.
Crickets.
😂You might guess it.
Thanksgiving Day arrives, the bird’s basted and seasoned, inserted in the bag and ready to go.
In the meantime, I’m in the kitchen doing my part when I look up to see my dude dragging his big ass old Char-broiler out from the garage and attempting to light briquets that he found who knows where.
Yep, the propane tank on the gas grill sputtered out after 5 minutes.
Me, I’m mumbling under my breath and the next thing I know our 8-year-old son runs out the back door, “Dad, dad, Mom’s calling you a bad word. She’s saying you’re a pro…pro… – procras -inator.”
🤣It’s long been our standing family joke. With a gem of truth to it.
Circling back to the question, why do we procrastinate?
A couple of weeks ago I attended a virtual two-day training and the facilitator, a therapist, and a Havening Techniques® practitioner and trainer (yes, I will be writing more about Havening soon) suggested that one of the biggest reasons why you and I procrastinate is that the task is not in alignment with our values.
Isn’t that curious?
😩When we’re asked to complete something, whether from our boss, spouse or even from ourselves, and it’s out of alignment in a minor or major way with a value, we do everything we can to put it off.
😩We balk, ignore, go through the motions or like my dad used to say, do it “half-ass”.
I don’t know about you, but I find the connection between procrastination and values fascinating.
Also, I’ve discovered in my work that while many people think they know hands down what their core values are, they don’t.
When I ask, often clients are unable to state specifically.
Now, this isn’t the first time I bring the topic of core values up. And I imagine it won’t be the last.
Why❓
❣️Because knowing, truly knowing what you stand for and hold firmly to, is key to achieving success, whatever that looks like for you.
❣️Knowing what your core values are so you can unapologetically uphold them, is foundational in creating meaningful relationship – personally, professionally, with yourself and the Shakti, the primal creative life force.
❣️My friend, knowing, truly knowing your core values is vital for your overall well-being.
A fundamental pillar in my coaching programs is delving into this rich topic. I love it as much as I love shadow work!
Uncovering what values are NOT yours, but what you thought were yours, and discovering what your non-negotiable values ARE is enlightening and fun.
More importantly, working through this experiential process resulting in you owning, naming, and learning how to live from your core values becomes one of your super-powers.
Here’s what one of my clients has to say about it, “Doing the values exercise in Paulette’s program I felt empowered. It’s given me the confidence that I need to be my best self!”
So, I ask you…
❓do you really-truly, without a doubt, know your top 5 core values
❓can you recite them like a mantra
❓are you living by them
If yes, I encourage you to reevaluate them to see if they’re in alignment with who you are now and who you want to become.
If no, I urge you to take a dive into the depths of your heart to discover exactly what you hold dear and what are your non-negotiables.
I know it may seem at this point in your life these questions are a no-brainer.
However, if you stop and take the time to contemplate you may realize, “um…I’m not so sure.”
With love and appreciation, xoxo Paulette
“Working with Paulette has given me the tools to up level my life in all areas and has helped me believe in myself.”