This next challenge is one I put off as long as I absolutely could. In fact, I cheated to make sure it was one of the last challenges I did this month! Rather than avoiding it any more to the point of further egregiousness, I’m biting the bullet and going for it for these next few days.
Today’s challenge: Give up procrastination and lateness. For the rest of the month, do not live as if there’s tomorrow or that you have a right or an out that makes it ok to be late. Lose wait. Lose late. Go!
Oh, that time thing is one of my biggest issues and it’s closely bound to my procrastination. Since this challenge is incredibly difficult for me, I had mercy on myself and am practicing it for a few days as a start. I will challenge myself to 21 days straight of no procrastination or lateness in the next few months. In the meantime, baby steps.
To come to terms with how detrimental procrastination and lateness have been in my life, I turn to a trusty passage:
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
~Shakespeare, Macbeth Act 5, Scene 5
There’s but so much time in this life. There is no tomorrow. It’s gone in a blink. Why wait?
As for being late, it’s my m.o. all over the place…except for movies. I am fanatically early for movies–at least an hour or 45 minutes early to shows. I am committed to getting great seats, no stress finding seating and an overall enjoyable experience at the movies for which I am never, ever late. Ever. Odd for a person who is pretty much late for everything else. I will attempt to apply such dedication to the rest of my life.
Being late, while it may seem innocuous to me since I really intend no harm, chips away at friendships and networks, constantly disappointing and creating mediocre expectations and strained acceptance of “that’s how she is”.
For the next few days, I will honor my friends, networks, commitments and myself by practicing a new-found awareness of and respect for time. So no more 11th hour blogging and other transgressions…I need all the support I can get so my friends, countrymen/women lend me your encouragement. It’ll take all that and then some for me to be successful. My stomach flips at the thought but I’m ready to dive!
Today’s victory: Today’s victory was very simple. I kept a promise that involved time, my usual nemesis. Every time I meet the demands of time and promises without avoidance, it’s a huge win.
Gratitude: I am grateful for how much more free I become with each day. Every day I grow. I know that every new day presents a new opportunity for breakthrough. For that I am utterly grateful.
On the horizon: Doing what comes naturally
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