Procrastination and Avoidance

We tend to turn away from our troubles in stead of toward them. Maybe it's procrastination and maybe it's avoidance. Maybe a combination of both.

We put off dealing with problems - all kinds of problems. From that dripping tap, the dog that needs a bath, the dentist appointment we know we must schedule and all the way through to the real problems we may be facing in life.

I recently read a piece by a well known artist in which he wrote how he addressed his (well documented) personal problems. I found his honesty about the problems and how he's dealing with them refreshing and I wish him all the best.

It made me think about how I'm dealing with some of the problems I face. Am I procrastinating or am I avoiding problems?

We all know that procrastination is the thief of time (so eloquently described by Edward Young). I can't think that I ever met a person who didn't procrastinate, at least sometime.

We prefer to do something other than what need to be done. I remind myself that doing something about what need to be done, anything, is better than doing nothing.

Avoidance on the other hand, is linked to fear and the possible negative outcome of taking action.

We avoid certain problems because the action required instills fear in us. It could be because of past experiences like failure on a project, or rejection of some form, or a lack of self-confidence, to name a few. I'm sure you can add many examples.

But avoidance lead to bigger problems. Coping by not coping is not the answer. Removing ourselves physically, and even mentally, from dealing with a problem does not resolve anything and is not healthy.

Both procrastination and avoidance add unnecessary stress to our lives. By understanding which of the two we are dealing with, we can better plan the action required.