Overcoming Procrastination

Overcoming Procrastination + Stepping into Your Future

In coaching, I like to pose this question to leaders I’m working with.

The reason I love this is because it’s asking a question FROM the future where we have already placed ourselves in our version of success.

Here’s how it’s serving me in this very moment…

I was longing to spend this morning exploring Casco Viejo (Old Town) in Panama City. (That’s my version of “avoidance behavior.” Isn’t it clever how I’ve disguised distractions and avoidance behaviors as “exploring new places?” It’s ok - I lovingly forgive myself for that.)

And though, I could sense tension in my body that there were other things that I needed to spend my time doing. I tuned into that body sensation & asked for my husband to take the kids exploring instead so that I could have some time this morning to do what was required. I was experiencing a bit of FOMO until I spent about 5 minutes meditating on this question:

What does future me want me to do right now?

I quickly reread my vision and goals & I reviewed my core values (I keep them in a note on my iPhone for quick reference when needed) and that gave me clarity on what future me wanted me to do this morning:

• Create the outline for my new coaching program (coming soon!)

• Sign up for that virtual conference on Leading Retreats

• Finish preparing my notes for my group coaching program that starts Thursday (Yay!)

• Mute / unfollow accounts on IG that are distracting me from my vision & mission

• Sit down and write this friggin’ email newsletter!!

Now that I’ve done those things, I am feeling light, intentional, grounded and proud! 

This question doesn’t only apply to overcoming procrastination and creating to-do lists. 

We can also ask ourselves this question when faced with a new choice or decision to make.

• Maybe there is a difficult but needed conversation that you need to have with a coworker or partner. What would future you want you to do?

• You have a choice every day to move your body & sweat or lay on the sofa & scroll your phone. What would future you want you to do?

• Likely, there’s some limiting voice or belief in your head about something right now that you can choose to listen to or not. What would future you want you to do?

• Is there a health appointment you’ve been putting off booking? What would future you want you to do?

• Perhaps you’re at a fork in the road with your career path. What would future you want you to do?

• Is there a new skill you’ve been longing to gain and there’s a course or program you’ve been considering? What would future you want you to do?

This is where having a vision for your life and being grounded in your core values and what truly matters to you can guide you. It’s like having the answers to life’s test! 

By stepping into your future and acting FROM that place, this is where transformation happens. 

The question ‘What would future me want me to do?’ & the actions that follow are the beautiful journey of who you are now and who you are becoming.