18 Comments
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Alex Kamis's avatar

Yeah, you’re really exposing the secrets of expert procrastinators: the illusion of productivity while doing nothing. I’ve been advising entrepreneurs for some years now, and I always tell them it’s better to just start. You learn as you go, your idea will evolve, and you simply can’t think your way into that kind of experience.

illia davydenko's avatar

I’ve never seen such a good explanation of procrastination, I feel attacked and inspired at the same time 😅

JP Bristol's avatar

Thanks Illia, I’ve been there too. That mix of called out and fired up is a strange combo. 😀

Susan J Hilger's avatar

Try looking at the emotion that’s sitting behind the avoidance

JP Bristol's avatar

Susan, that’s usually where it lives. Once you name the emotion, the stall starts to make more sense.

Alexis Hanes's avatar

"They’re stuck because clarity would force a decision they’re not ready to make." Ooof, that's powerful. (And so true!)

Thank you for sharing your insights. I'm definitely working on taking more action this year and always.

JP Bristol's avatar

Alexis, I appreciate that. I wrote that one from a real place. Glad you grabbed it. Action tends to clear things up faster than more thinking.

Denise Servais's avatar

This makes sense. For me, clarity usually comes afterwards, not while I’m still thinking about it.

JP Bristol's avatar

Denise, same here. Action first, then things usually sharpen after the fact.

Carl Schell's avatar

This one had the right amount of bite. Turning things inside out often leads to an uncomfortable feeling, but that’s when clarity can be pure. Liked this one plenty.

JP Bristol's avatar

Carl, appreciate that. That uncomfortable flip is usually where things stop being abstract and start getting real.

Andek Valtini's avatar

Whoa, this was "uncomfortable" good reading. The thing is, one can not say - no, that isn't true, not for me. Now what? Well, the answer is to bite into the sour apple, as we'd say in Germany, and act on what you just intellectually have understood. Ouch. Aren't sour apples a sweet thing? ;o)...

JP Bristol's avatar

Andek, that uncomfortable part is usually the signal. Once you see it, action is the only real next step, sour apple and all.

Andek Valtini's avatar

Just today, I was told it has to do with the necessity level and the condition one is in. Then one goes and moves their butt to finally do. Let's work smarter and move to the top. LOL, at the end we'll love those "sweet, sour apples".

Jess, The Creator's avatar

Great article, JP! Tenacity is one of my favorite intangible skills!

JP Bristol's avatar

Appreciate that, Jessica! It’s one of those traits that shows up once things get uncomfortable. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Jess, The Creator's avatar

Most definitely during times of discomfort! You’re very welcome, JP! 🤝

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Feb 7
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JP Bristol's avatar

Exactly, Jim. Clarity can turn into a stall when enforcing it feels harder than chasing the next answer.