It took me three hours in the library this afternoon to translate four verses from the Greek New Testament. When I left, I was as gray as the storm clouds looming on my horizon like a deepening bruise. Tomorrow will be a full day of rain, which it suits me fine. Lately, every time I'm in class, I get a headache.
I thought about quitting.
But I delayed my decision. I said: "I won't decide today. I'm too tired to decide. I will wait until spring break and then decide to quit. After all, I can sit in a classroom even if I have not done the homework and even if I don't understand any of it. So I will wait until spring break."
When I get to spring break, I will tell myself to wait until Easter. Once Easter arrives, I will tell myself to wait until Mother's Day. But this afternoon, I did not think about what I will say weeks from now. I just told myself today to quit later.
And I walked down the hill to my front door, happy in the idea that I will quit soon. Then I said, "Of course, the Greek is too much. I can't do it. Of course, I will quit after spring break. But I guess I can do the next few words. Only the words I recognize. After I write those down, I will have a piece of chocolate. Maybe a cup of coffee. Oh, and I will play some jazz music. I know I can sit through one more class with a few words I recognize. That's all I have to do tonight: words, chocolate, coffee, jazz."
It's a kind of self-help therapy for quitters.
Steps for Quitters
Here's how it works in a step-by-step process. In case you are wondering:
1. Admit the big picture looks impossible.
2. Decide to quit.
3. Postpone quitting until a later date. The next holiday works well.
4. Find one small thing to do while waiting.
5. Reward the effort.
6. Find one more thing to do. Reward the effort. Repeat.
How do you get yourself to keep going when you feel like you can't? Do you ever play tricks on yourself? Or use self-talk?
8 comments:
Brilliant:) I'm great at quitting, but also at procrastinating! This I can do.
Brilliant:) I'm great at quitting, but also at procrastinating! This I can do.
I, like you have said, try to quiet the storm by looking for the one small next step I CAN do and trust it's enough for this moment. The bigger decision can wait.
It's a hard call to make, whether to continue or to quit. Shame should have no part in it.
You have chosen an excellence topic, Cassandra.
I'm afraid that sometimes decisions are made for me because I simply put off making them. Procrastination is my nemesis. But I like your spin. Instead of "I can make it through this day" it's "I'll quit tomorrow." This made me laugh.
Seriously, I do try to take things one step at a time when they are overwhelming. Sometimes I just have to decide if a thing is worth it to continue.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you procrastinate the right way! Great post, Cassandra.
Oh, definitely! Mind games, and knowing that I just need to get through this one moment and then the next. Good practical tips-thanks.
I love this wisdom Cassandra. Sound like a good plan to me! I will try to remember to include you in my morning prayer more often! Lori
I found your blog today, from someone else's blog.
I loved it! I laughed!
I'm with you. Sometimes it only takes one good night of sleep (and some chocolate) to change our perspective.
Keep on keeping on
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