There was, however, another alternative. Perhaps she really was making progress, even though it was less tangible than she expected it to be. She had been experimenting mentally with some of her ideas, making contacts with people who had done similar or related things, and talking with people who were in her target market about what their needs might be in this area. All of this was percolating and marinating in a positive way, so that when she was ready to take action on the idea, that action would be informed, inspired, and highly focused, and there would be little wasted effort. Meanwhile, she was investing most of her energy into strengthening her current revenue streams.
Most business people face these kinds of postponed initiatives, and they affect not only their self-perceptions, but also their effectiveness and productivity. And the fix isn’t what you’d expect it to be.
1. Let your feet drag.
It sounds counter-intuitive, right? Put something off just because you don't have crystal clarity? Shouldn't you be doing something -- anything -- to create forward movement?
Recently, in an Orlando-area workshop, participants were involved in developing a more in-depth picture of what they wanted their futures to look like, including their business or career goals, financial profile, personal aspirations, relationships, home life, etc. Denise Daniels, who had sold her family business a few months earlier, hoped to leave with a clear and thorough idea of what was next for her. Despite a variety of visioning exercises, however, it didn't happen for her that evening. She simply wasn’t ready yet. Pushing for ''the right answer'' when the broad outline isn’t yet settled results in wheel-spinning, at best.
While you’re waiting for that proverbial light bulb to turn on, there are certainly things you can do to help the process along, including examining your values, composing missions, mind-mapping, journaling, and even dream-boarding and meditating. Sometimes the most effective technique for defining your vision is to sit alone on a deserted beach or take a solitary hike in the woods.
If you've played with those exercises and the vision is still vague, here's an expert recommendation: wait. You read that right. Wait. Wait for clarity.
To take action simply for the sake of taking action usually results in frustration, exasperation, and lost time. As an alternative, focus on other goals and activities for the time being. You never know, engaging in them instead might lead to meeting someone, reading something, or hearing or seeing an idea, resource, or event that becomes the stimulus to move forward, that connects you to the next steps, or removes the veil in front of what you'd like your future to look like.
2. Stop thinking so much.
The cloudiness of your future vision will have you concerned, frustrated, impatient, confused, or just feeling stuck. Doubt and indecision will dog your actions, if you let them. The focus on the future can often lead to second guessing and struggle in the present, causing a huge reduction in productivity.
For the moment, forget about the future, particularly if contemplating it gets you tied in knots. Let go of the perceived need to make a decision, particularly if there is no deadline (and if there is a deadline, say no unless you feel a definite yes). Put your energy fully into those activities that are most strongly aligned with your clear picture of what you’d like your current -- not future -- success to look like. And don’t pay any heed to those self-critical messages running through your brain telling you you’re a slacker for not moving ahead. Your inner judge is there to help prevent you from failing, so understand its purpose without buying into its bullying.
We’re used to solving problems by analysis and intentional thinking. This generally works pretty well, unless you’re counting creativity and future possibilities. We usually manage our lives, work, and challenges using logic, reason, categorization, and process -- something our culture is quite keen on. Most of us aren’t practiced, however, at using the imaginative, holistic, more random, and feeling dimensions that set the stage for synthesis, possibility, and bigger-picture ideation.
Doing the latter requires faith and trust, as well as self-confidence; faith that the information you need will come to you in time, trust that you’re not missing opportunities or shooting yourself in the foot while you wait, and self-confidence that you’re not being stupid, lazy, or using bad judgment. It takes some practice to sustain patience in the face of those internal critics, but it’s entirely possible. As you experience more positive outcomes, it gets easier. In the interim, you’re oodles more productive as you put your shoulder into current priorities and efforts, those for which the time is now ripe and appropriate.
About the Author
Kerul Kassel is the author of the newly released Productive Procrastination, as well as the award winning Stop Procrastinating Now. Her experience includes investment and real estate management, as well as 20 years of leadership in for-profit and nonprofit organizations. As the founder of New Leaf Systems, a consulting firm dedicated to creating higher performance outcomes and business profitability, her clients have included corporate organizations such as NASA, Sony, Hilton, and Volvo. For more information or for a free special procrastivity report, visit www.Procrastivity.com.
