We’ve all been guilty of putting off an occasional daunting or undesirable task. But what happens when procrastination creeps into more life-areas and becomes a habit that creates stress and drives others crazy? The consequences of this maladaptive behavior can affect us all. Whether you (or someone you love) are an infrequent procrastinator or a chronic offender, our informative chat with Dr. Ferrari, a leading researcher and expert, will make you look at hitting that snooze button in a whole new way.
It’s really hard to live your best life if you’re putting off making the shifts and changes necessary for personal growth. So, naturally, procrastination made the top of our list for Real Talk’s Self-Mastery series. As we pondered potential tea guests, the perfect person came to mind.
Last year we had the pleasure of attending a virtual event for alums of DePaul University, my undergrad alma mater. The speaker was Dn. Joseph R. Ferrari, or Deacon Joe, as he is affectionately called. The topic? Procrastination.
It was a riveting, information-dense presentation that was an interesting and interactive blend of history, science, research, anecdotes and actionable tips. Even better, for the ADD in us, it was fast-paced and brought a touch of humor to what we learned is no laughing matter. Deacon Joe is warm and witty, and I found myself wishing I could take his real class.
We learned so much, and I’d love to say that we never procrastinate anymore. I can’t. However, we are empowered by what we now know and are able to evaluate situations with the wisdom we gained from that talk. I personally realized that I possess a long-time habit of over-scheduling.
Sometimes it’s tough to say “no” to people you care about, activities you’d love to engage in or organizations you’d like to support. I had no idea there was a relationship between trying to stuff 10 pounds of life into a 5 pound bag and procrastination. Not only was I shocked, but I’m also forced to admit that the behavior leaves me super-stressed and sometimes negatively impacts those closest to me. Who else would help me pick up some of those dropped “life” balls? It is not fair, and I’m working on it. Really!
Thankfully, I don’t believe I’m a chronic procrastinator. However, reading Dr. Ferrari’s book (Still Procrastinating? The No Regrets Guide to Getting it Done) helped us to become more mindful about some other little procrastination traps. Believe me, no one wants the personal, health, work, relational or life consequences that research has shown can befall chronic procrastinators.
We believe that our chat with Deacon Joe will be an eye-opener for most and is highly recommended for all. Even if you’re not a procrastinator, chances are someone you know or care about is one. So, please share the love and pass this crucial conversation on!
IN TODAY’S CONVERSATION WE LEARN:
…And, much more!
“If you put off everything till you’re sure of it, you’ll never get anything done.” -Norman Vincent Peale
Join us on your favorite podcast platform! Don’t procrastinate. 😉
Enjoy the “Tea”,
p.s. We truly could not do this important topic justice in a single conversation, so we highly recommend reading Dr. Ferrari’s book. It’s chock full of helpful information and strategies.
