Do you tend to put things off? If the answer is yes, this is not usually due to time management, but a result of psychological issues. By identifying the cause, you can learn how to stop procrastinating after 50.
The Negative Consequences of Procrastination
Procrastination can infiltrate many areas of our lives with negative results. Here are just a few:
1. It can hurt relationships.
When my daughters and I moved from Honolulu to Chicago, the girls did not understand the concept of time. Island-style living was laid back and time was unimportant, so they procrastinated. In Honolulu when you were 15 minutes late, you were on time. Chicago was a different story.
One day I sat them down and explained: “If you are late for your mother, a friend, or an appointment, you are sending two messages.” I continued, “First that the person or appointment is not important. Secondly, that you are a rude and inconsiderate person.”
2. Procrastination will prevent you from reaching your goals.
You can’t reach a goal until you take the first step to begin.
3. Procrastination can lead to serious health issues and even death.
Putting off an appointment for a yearly checkup, mammogram, or body check with your dermatologist is irresponsible. Trust me. I make sure I am always on time in scheduling all of my follow-up appointments after I had cancer. I never miss my CAT scans. You should not either!
4. Procrastination will prevent you from moving to a new area, traveling, starting a new career or business, and putting aside money for retirement.
If you procrastinate, you could miss out on a new experience, a new great life, or even a wonderful life after retirement. Imagine starting to save at 50 vs. 55… even that 5 years will make a difference. Make sure you also tell your children and grand’s they should also save! This will help them with their futures.
Stop Procrastinating After 50 or Miss Out
Imagine missing out on your dreams or goals due to procrastination! In other words, a procrastinator cannot lead a satisfying lifestyle. Typically, they never accomplish their dreams and goals, which is no fun. If you want to make the most of your life, you must take action.
Taking the First Step
The first step to change your mindset is to know the cause of your problem. Procrastinators are known to be any of the following:
- A perfectionist: Are you a person who works so long to make a project perfect that you never get started? It is never too late in the game for an attitude shift. Try to set a limit on your project and visualize a new endeavor as gray. Nothing is ever jet black or stark white – avoid extremes.
- A dreamer: Do you live in the world of ideas and find yourself unable to turn ideas into reality? Stop dreaming and make a detailed to-do list. Change your “I’ll try” to “I will.”
- A worrier: Are you anxious something will go wrong before you start? I suggest you take baby steps. Remember, not making a decision is a decision.
- A crisis-maker: Do you procrastinate until the last moment because negative stress and a deadline motivate you to action? You will be respected when you fulfill your responsibilities promptly instead of having the reputation of the last-minute Charley.
It is important to have a positive relationship with our time. A wise woman does not allow procrastination to own her. She owns her time even when she is not excited about her task.
Being “Miss Stress”
We all have the desire to procrastinate on certain issues that bore, aggravate, or frustrate us. I think that is part of being human. For myself, I will wait until the last minute, and then ‘Miss Stress’ drags me across the finish line of the race on time. I am not a procrastinator, a dreamer, or a worrier. I have a tad of the stress maker in me.
Think about your lifestyle. Is putting off tasks playing a large role in your ability to lead a charmed life? Should you stop procrastinating?
Please share with me your thoughts on procrastination in the comments at the bottom of this page. I’d also love to hear your thoughts on how you stop procrastinating and achieve your goals and dreams!
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My Mother-in-Law always said….”peel your small potatoes first” – that helps me work my To-Do list and have some accomplishments first! It’s motivation for the bigger tasks!
A great lesson. I will never forget your mother in laws advice. Thank you, Susie. Warmly, Honey