Lightarted Living: The Secret to Stop Procrastinating: Begin Simply, ...

Lightarted Living: The Secret to Stop Procrastinating: Begin Simply, ...:  

The Secret to Stop Procrastinating: Begin Simply, and Simply Begin

 

"Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day."
Mark Twain


Okay, come clean. What's the thing you've been thinking you need to do you just haven't gotten around to doing?

Come on, you know what it is!  It's the very thing~ that if you did it~ it would have a great impact in the way your life worked, or  would help you achieve a life goal, or help you live your life mission. Sometimes it's just something that would make your day-to-day life easier.

The Anticipation is Killing Me!

The thing is, you know there is something on your mind that continues to show up for brief visits every morning, weekend or evening before it disappears as you return to your work, or other such distractions.  And you also know, until you take care of it, it will continue to irritate you.

Years ago a cartoon featured the lovable cat, Garfield, considering the task of getting out to exercise. He thinks, "I probably should get up and exercise, but my feet will start to hurt and my heart will pound. I'll get out of breath, start to sweat, and I won't be able to make it back home. Exercise isn't so bad," he says, "But the anticipation is killing me!"

Like Garfield, the thing you need to do probably isn't so bad, but the anticipation is killing you! That small first step could potentially have a large impact on your life so you over-think it. The anticipation leads to procrastination, killing your motivation to take a step.

Begin Simply, and Simply Begin

To overcome the inertia to taking the first step, begin simply, and simply begin! Consider Mark Twain's philosophy:

"Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day."

Brian Tracy in his book, 'Eat That Frog!', plays off Twain's quirky quip to create 21 ways to stop procrastinating. Tracy equates your 'frog' to your biggest, most important task, the one likeliest to have the greatest positive impact on your life---yes, the very THING we've been talking about!

Tracy goes on to lay down the first two rules of 'frog eating'

'If you have to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest one first.'
'If you have to eat a live frog at all, it doesn't pay to sit and look at it for very  long.'

Apply the Rule of Frog

Basically, the rule of frog says stop anticipating, and start each day by doing the most important thing that needs doing before you do anything else. Don't sit around thinking about taking that first bite of frog. Bite into the hardest, ugliest task you've been avoiding first thing in the morning ~ and do it every morning.

Leap Frog Your Way to a Satisfying, Productive Life

Begin simply: make a list of 'frogs'. Then simply begin to jump through those self-imposed hoops, leap frogging your way each and every morning to a more satisfying and productive life.

 Why wait to get started? Jump in NOW. Choose something from the list  below...or use the list to jump start your own list.

Frogs to Eat First Thing in the Morning

Make a list of your frogs. Choose an ugly one.
Make that phone call.
Start that school application.
Drive to the Credit Union. Set up Automatic Deposit.
Ask for Help. Pick up the phone. Send the e-mail. Write the grant.
Organize your tax documents. Call for help. Pay your taxes.
Practice learning a new technology skill.
Spend one hour in language lab. Pass the class.
Make a dentist appointment. Put your self-care first.
Make a doctor appointment. Put your self-care first.
Call a sick friend.
Write a letter to someone in need.
Set up a retirement savings account. Start contributing.
Increase the amount contributed to your retirement savings account.
Exercise
Go to the gym.
Find a new job.

Begin reworking your resume.

Reach out to your business network for job leads.
Research retirement options.
Research school options.
Actively Manage Finances.
Make and Maintain Contact with Good Friends.
Find a Mate. Put yourself in the environment where you'll meet potential mates.

The Secret to Stop Procrastinating: Begin Simply, and Simply Begin

 

"Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day."
Mark Twain


Okay, come clean. What's the thing you've been thinking you need to do you just haven't gotten around to doing?

Come on, you know what it is!  It's the very thing~ that if you did it~ it would have a great impact in the way your life worked, or  would help you achieve a life goal, or help you live your life mission. Sometimes it's just something that would make your day-to-day life easier.

The Anticipation is Killing Me!

The thing is, you know there is something on your mind that continues to show up for brief visits every morning, weekend or evening before it disappears as you return to your work, or other such distractions.  And you also know, until you take care of it, it will continue to irritate you.

Years ago a cartoon featured the lovable cat, Garfield, considering the task of getting out to exercise. He thinks, "I probably should get up and exercise, but my feet will start to hurt and my heart will pound. I'll get out of breath, start to sweat, and I won't be able to make it back home. Exercise isn't so bad," he says, "But the anticipation is killing me!"

Like Garfield, the thing you need to do probably isn't so bad, but the anticipation is killing you! That small first step could potentially have a large impact on your life so you over-think it. The anticipation leads to procrastination, killing your motivation to take a step.

Begin Simply, and Simply Begin

To overcome the inertia to taking the first step, begin simply, and simply begin! Consider Mark Twain's philosophy:

"Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day."

Brian Tracy in his book, 'Eat That Frog!', plays off Twain's quirky quip to create 21 ways to stop procrastinating. Tracy equates your 'frog' to your biggest, most important task, the one likeliest to have the greatest positive impact on your life---yes, the very THING we've been talking about!

Tracy goes on to lay down the first two rules of 'frog eating'

'If you have to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest one first.'
'If you have to eat a live frog at all, it doesn't pay to sit and look at it for very  long.'

Apply the Rule of Frog

Basically, the rule of frog says stop anticipating, and start each day by doing the most important thing that needs doing before you do anything else. Don't sit around thinking about taking that first bite of frog. Bite into the hardest, ugliest task you've been avoiding first thing in the morning ~ and do it every morning.

Leap Frog Your Way to a Satisfying, Productive Life

Begin simply: make a list of 'frogs'. Then simply begin to jump through those self-imposed hoops, leap frogging your way each and every morning to a more satisfying and productive life.

 Why wait to get started? Jump in NOW. Choose something from the list  below...or use the list to jump start your own list.

Frogs to Eat First Thing in the Morning

Make a list of your frogs. Choose an ugly one.
Make that phone call.
Start that school application.
Drive to the Credit Union. Set up Automatic Deposit.
Ask for Help. Pick up the phone. Send the e-mail. Write the grant.
Organize your tax documents. Call for help. Pay your taxes.
Practice learning a new technology skill.
Spend one hour in language lab. Pass the class.
Make a dentist appointment. Put your self-care first.
Make a doctor appointment. Put your self-care first.
Call a sick friend.
Write a letter to someone in need.
Set up a retirement savings account. Start contributing.
Increase the amount contributed to your retirement savings account.
Exercise
Go to the gym.
Find a new job.

Begin reworking your resume.

Reach out to your business network for job leads.
Research retirement options.
Research school options.
Actively Manage Finances.
Make and Maintain Contact with Good Friends.
Find a Mate. Put yourself in the environment where you'll meet potential mates.

Lightarted Living: Heal Your World

Lightarted Living: Heal Your World:   

Heal Your World

 

Heal Your World

Do not be afraid of what's before you;

Do your part to make your world right.

Choose your path according to your highest wishes;

Speak the words you long to hear;

Be the change you want to see;

Reach for the most satisfying and meaningful life daily.

Believe in your ability to make a difference 

in your and other's lives each day;

Choose to turn obstacles into challenges;

Step into positive action when you're ready--

and sometimes when you're not.

Everything is (Secretly) Okay!

Whatever it is that's holding you back

or making you fearful--

Let it Go.

When self-doubt gets the better of you,

or when you need to calm your racing mind,

recite this mantra:

Everything is (secretly) okay

No matter the situation 

and no matter the outcome, 

everything is (secretly) okay.

Always.

Every time.

Cutting Through the Fear and Doubt

At first this mantra may seem odd,

but the longer you use it

to get you through 

 times of fear and doubt

the more you'll come to understand

the brilliance of this (secret) saying

to help you find your calm and strength, and

to help you to move forward with confidence.

Out of the Mouth of Babes

This mantra originated with a 10 year old boy 25 years ago. 

In the middle of a counseling session, the boy beckoned

for his counselor to come closer as

he whispered into the counselor's ear: 

"Everything is (secretly) okay!"

Let us be as wise as that 10 year old boy.

Nurture Your Soul

Heal Your World

 

Heal Your World

Do not be afraid of what's before you;

Do your part to make your world right.

Choose your path according to your highest wishes;

Speak the words you long to hear;

Be the change you want to see;

Reach for the most satisfying and meaningful life daily.

Believe in your ability to make a difference 

in your and other's lives each day;

Choose to turn obstacles into challenges;

Step into positive action when you're ready--

and sometimes when you're not.

Everything is (Secretly) Okay!

Whatever it is that's holding you back

or making you fearful--

Let it Go.

When self-doubt gets the better of you,

or when you need to calm your racing mind,

recite this mantra:

Everything is (secretly) okay

No matter the situation 

and no matter the outcome, 

everything is (secretly) okay.

Always.

Every time.

Cutting Through the Fear and Doubt

At first this mantra may seem odd,

but the longer you use it

to get you through 

 times of fear and doubt

the more you'll come to understand

the brilliance of this (secret) saying

to help you find your calm and strength, and

to help you to move forward with confidence.

Out of the Mouth of Babes

This mantra originated with a 10 year old boy 25 years ago. 

In the middle of a counseling session, the boy beckoned

for his counselor to come closer as

he whispered into the counselor's ear: 

"Everything is (secretly) okay!"

Let us be as wise as that 10 year old boy.

Nurture Your Soul