Procrastination and Getting Things Done

Getting Things Done
When Plans and Reality Collide: The Tale of Victoria's Garden


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Although the garden that Victoria tends today holds great meaning for her and others, the process of creating it was far different from what she had envisioned. At a critical point, despite her transcendent vision and with the aid of a highly synchronistic and rather humorous outer event (the hummingbird!), she stopped long enough to see clearly what could be accomplished with the reality directly in front of her: to surrender the details of her vision, to acknowledge her gratitude for what others were trying to do for her, and to allow a bridge to form from her original idea to a more relevant one. For those to whom images speak louder than words, her garden is a treasure for Naikan reflection and Morita-style goal tending.
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Posted on June 13, 2003 | Comments (0)

Procrastination
Editorial: The Responsibility for What We Do Not Do


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We fool ourselves into thinking we are living a life of integrity simply because we lack a culpable action. Though our culpability is invisible we still must accept responsibility for what we do not do--particularly when we know, in our hearts, that something must be done, must be said.
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Posted on June 13, 2003 | Comments (0)

Getting Things Done
Defeating the Demons of Inaction: Indecision


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So when we are confronted by indecision, we need to move forward despite our doubts or confusion. We need to move forward, even if we're only taking small steps. Those steps, regardless of which direction they go in, are likely to give us new information and experience. Our actions send ripples into the world. The situation may change or reveal itself in a new way once we have moved to a new vantage point.
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Posted on June 12, 2003 | Comments (0)

Procrastination
The Stress of Not Getting Things Done


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There is no substitute for "accepting my feelings" (of laziness or boredom, or anxiety, or whatever happens to appear), "knowing my purpose" and then "DOING IT." My stress is relieved almost from the moment I start, and I go to bed that night often satisfied at what got accomplished.
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Posted on June 12, 2003 | Comments (0)

Getting Things Done
Purpose is Responding to What Needs to Be Done


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As I continued to apply what I learned, I gained a new perspective on the meaning of purpose. It was no longer confined to "what I would really LIKE to do with my life," or "what SHOULD I be doing with my life" but rather it became much broader, more inclusive, and more immediate like "what needs doing now?" This new meaning demanded that I pay attention to my surroundings and notice the ripple effects of my actions.
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Posted on June 10, 2003 | Comments (1)

Procrastination
Just Doing It


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I spent very little time [with my students] dealing with the murky causes of procrastination. We approached the problem from the standpoint of what we can control (behavior) and what we cannot (feelings) based on a method of Japanese psychology called Morita therapy.
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Posted on June 04, 2003 | Comments (0)

Procrastination
Take the Next Step... and See What Happens


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Unless I take the first action step, the journey doesn't begin.... In reality, all I need [to be a writer] is a ballpoint pen and a place mat or the back of a dry cleaning receipt... and the faith to take that first step in crafting an essay or article.
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Posted on May 09, 2003 | Comments (0)

Procrastination
Seven Strategies for Taking Action When You Don't Feel Like It


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Usually getting stuck involves a set of feelings which acts like mud locked around our [automobiles'] wheels. Such feelings include confusion, boredom, fear, anxiety, depression, dislike of the task, or laziness. When we find that we're stuck, we're faced with the challenge of getting unstuck and taking action. Morita Therapy and Naikan are two methods of Japanese psychology which offer specific methods and strategies for getting out of the mud.... Here are seven strategies that might help you take action the next time you find yourself stuck....
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Posted on May 08, 2003 | Comments (0)