Procrastination
It’s when you wait until later to get something done that you know would be more useful to finish up in the now. We are more likely to do this when we are not clear about what it is we are really trying to accomplish—that is, when we aren’t sure which need is trying to get met by accomplishing the goal.
Mindful clarity helps follow through
Be genuinely clear about what you are really needing to accomplish, and you will be more likely to engage in behaviors that help move you towards “need fulfillment” (vs just getting the ‘task’ done).
For example, if you know that you need to wash your car, is it about cleaning the car so that the paint doesn’t crack, or is it about maintaining a sense of order and cleanliness in your life, or a little of both? If you think you are just trying to save the paint, when in reality keeping you car clean is part of a healthier “clean” lifestyle, then you may put it off because of the missed intention of living a clean life.
How the ego can sabotage us
We also put things off that threaten our ego’s way of doing things. If we are unconsciously more comfortable with chaos, we are more likely to leave things undone, and thereby create more chaos, which pleases the ego (i.e. it matches the unconscious expectation). This is why bringing consciousness to the unconscious (a mindfulness practice) helps us to re-wire our brain.
Learn more about Mindfulness-based Counseling in Austin.
Jonathan F. Anderson, LPC-s has worked in the helping profession since he started college in 1990. After completing his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas, Austin in 1994, he attended the highly-regarded University of Minnesota to earn his Master’s degree in 1997. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and is recognized as a Board Approved Supervisor by the State of Texas Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. Jonathan has completed Level-2 of the Gottman Method of Couples Counseling, and in 1998 received training by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation in Advanced Critical Incident Stress Management & Debriefing. To learn more about Jonathan’s practice, click here: Jonathan F. Anderson, LPC-s.
