The Ultimate Cost of Procrastination

"Get busy living or get busy dying"

This is a quote from the movie The Shawshank Redemption. Tim Robbins character uttered it to Morgan Freeman's shortly before he broke out of prison. The basic gist was that each of us has a choice to make.

The reason I bring this up today is because I was chatting earlier with someone who lost a friend of hers. This person passed away at the age of 46 of an apparent heart attack. The death was sudden and painless. She met her end many decades before anyone would imagined.

Whenever I come across something like this, I get very reflective. How much time do I have? It is a question that none of us know the answer to. Realistically, today could be the last day for any of us. Life is a crap shoot in this regard. We are allotted a certain amount of time and when it is done, it is done.

The above quite is something that we all should remember on a daily basis. It is baffling to consider how much time we waste since we do believe it to be unlimited. Sure, we all know we are going to die. Nevertheless, most of us presume it will be decades in the future. This allows us to push down the road all the while wasting away the present moments. Our lives are full of "I will do it tomorrow".

There is an old exercise that self help experts put many of their students through. It starts with taking a piece of paper and writing on the top "what would I do if I only had a year to live". The exercise consists of simply answering that question. Imagine yourself with a terminal illness that means you would expire one year from today. How would you spent your remaining time? Contrast this with how it differs from what you presently do on a daily basis. I guarantee you will see a drastic difference between the two of them.

This brings me to everyone's favorite ally...procrastination. Getting back to the person I discussed earlier; do you think there were things she would have liked to do before she departed? If she is like the rest of us, I am sure there was. The same can be said for her loved ones. Each of us has things we would like to experience. However, we get caught up in the daily grind and tell ourselves we will get to it "later". Sadly, for this woman, there is no later. And, in truth, there might not be for us either.

The ultimate cost to procrastination is the sacrifice of your life. Most of us spend our lives busy "dying" that we fail to live. Instead of experiencing joy and happiness on a regular basis, we occupy our time with anger and worry. At the same time, we opt for the path of safety which causes us to miss many of the fruits of life. Fear is our primary motivator causing a life of stagnation. We are walking zombies.

Today is the time to make the decision to live. We all know people who passed on. Make a commitment to their memories to pack all you can into this life. Opt for saying "yes" instead of "no". Go out on a limb on a regular basis and take some chances. Many times you will be rewarded. Make the choice to get busy living.

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Change

When does change occur? What is the point that it takes hold and things are different? The answer to these questions is that change takes place in a moment. Regardless how long it takes to get to the point, all change happens the instance we decide to do something differently. This is true no matter what the circumstance.

This is a lesson that anyone who was addicted to drugs or alcohol understands. One will travel down the path of substance abuse until he or she reaches the point where going on is no longer possible. Once one truly avails oneself to the addiction and firmly decides "no more", then the path to recovery commences. However, as long as that person harbors a reservation that he or she can continue as such, the addition will win out. Nothing changes until the decision to quit is made.

All aspects of life are exactly the same. Change occurs at the point on resolves to make it. For example, a weight issue is something that many people battle. Most have endured the yoyo diet where they lose some weight only to put it back on again. The reason this happens is the person does not resolve to change. He or she might opt to follow a different diet plan for a spell which nets results. However, over time, the old behavior is engaged which results in the weight going back on. In the end, no change was made.

Here is something that most do not like to hear: you can change anything in your life. There is nothing that is beyond the capability to alter if you are willing to do it. This process starts with making a true decision. Tony Robbins defines a true decision as "cutting off any other possibility". What this means is that you affirm in your mind that you will reach whatever goal you are setting down for yourself. The change will take place "no matter what".

Ultimately, one needs to get to the point where he or she has had enough. Pain is a wonderful motivator. Many seek to avoid it. Do not fall into this trap. Embrace pain and what it has to offer you. Failing to do so will shortchange yourself. I once heard that we all need 100% of our own pain to make the changes in life that we need to. Until we reach that point, everything is fleeting.

So, have you had enough? Are you tired of being overweight? Is that dead end job finally struck you down to the point where you cant stand another day of it? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to make the necessary changes in whatever areas you desire? Will you do everything you can to make your desires come true? Can you make a "true decision" or are you just continuing to hope?

All change is within your reach. You just need to decide that you want it. When you do, the process is started.
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Survival Of The Fittest

This is something that I am going to be commenting on over the next few posts. Across the globe we are seeing people turn to the governments for support. People are afraid what the future holds because they are inadequately prepared to deal with what is in front of them. Life, for many, was too easy. Now, with circumstances getting worse by the day, people are turning to that which they were promised would take care of them.

I witnessed this activity are few years ago when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. The death total there numbered around 1,500. I clearly remember the image of people waiting for the government rescuers to get to them. Sadly, for many, they perished before that help arrived.

The episode showed how woefully inadequate the government is in handling anything. We again witnessed a similar situation with the BP oil spill. A number of years later and a new administration results in the same. Woeful action.

Many are promised safety and comfort by our leaders. The sad truth is this doesnt work since it goes against nature. Man, no matter how much he tries to get away from it, is part of the Animal Kingdom. All the laws present in nature apply to us equally. And the overriding policy in the wild is survival of the fittest.

Man wants to believe that he is a more civilized creature. Society drums into us dogma about being concerned about the entire human race. We are told that we are all interconnected. Funny how unconnected we are when the utility company is cutting off our power. Or how lonely it feels when hearing the screaming of a child because he or she is hungry. All of a sudden the interconnectedness of it all is out the window and survival is one's focus.

Your life is your responsibility. It is that simple. Do not believe the preachings and sales job that people give you to the contrary. Ultimately, the only one you can count on is yourself (and a select few who are close to you). Protecting yourself and your family is the onus we all bear. Life is a survival game. Spend your time worrying about those not under your domain and you will weaken your chances of helping those closest to you.

In the end, survival starts with the understanding that living any other way is a for of slavery. When people promise to take care of you, you suddenly are indebted to them. All "gifts" come with a string attached. Watch the actions of the governments around the world to fully understand this concept. People taking from the system are dependent upon that system for their survival. The second someone pulls that support, these people are finished.

If you think this is too cold a view of the world, I challenge you to look around. See how many are suffering because they are ill-equipped to deal with the reality of life. They became dependent upon others and were let down. Promises are broken on a daily basis. In the end, only the strong survive. Are you one of them?
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Life Is Simple

We all complicate the hell out of life. When you think about it, life is rather simple. There are only a few basics that need remembering. After that, throw the rest away.

Life is simple. You just make a series of choices and never look back. How profound. Did you ever consider how basic our existence really is? Yet, people foul this up by complicating the entire situation.

"Life is a series of choices". Every moment of the day we are making decisions. Who do we spend our time with? How are we using that time? Are we selecting choice A over choice B? Throughout the day, we are continually making decisions with regards to our time. When we make productive decisions, we get better results.

Of course, there will be times when we make poor decisions. This is where we want to "never look back". Reflection is a healthy and helpful part of life. Every situation is either a success or a lesson. Learning where things went wrong is beneficial in our future pursuit.

That is not what I am referring to what saying "never look back". Instead, I am alluding to the fact that people beat themselves up over the wrong choices they make. They allow guilt and frustration to enter into their present moments. This alters the decisions at hand. It becomes a snowball effect where fear and guilt become the deciders. This will always lead to more bad decisions.

Keep life simple. There is a tendency to over complicate things. The mind is a wonderful mechanism when controlled. However, for most, it is out of control. Our minds conjure up all kinds of scenarios which have no basis in reality. Therefore, learn to let all those illegitimate thoughts of fear, guilt, and worry melt away.

Make a decision and don't look back. If you make the wrong decision, then you will be confronted with a chance to make another one. That is how life works. Keep it simple; it is much easier.
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20 Ways To Change Your Life-Now

Most people want to change their life. However, they do not know where to begin. The problem is that human beings are creatures of habit and many find the habits they have do not lead them to a successful outcome. So I put together a list of 20 things you can do today which will change your life. Some of the things will alter your life path in the long term while others will change how you feel in the moment. Both have an impact of the degree of fulfillment we experience.

1. Turn off the t.v.

People are hypnotized by this device. Most of what we watch is intellectually empty. A periodic escape from life is healthy. However, too many spend hours each day flipping through the channels trying to find something worthwhile. Also, there is a great deal of negativity on the television. Turn it off and regain lost time while improving your attitude.

2. Stretch

Spend time stretching. This has an immediate impact of providing instant energy. Right now, stretch all your muscles from head to toe. Notice how much more energy you have by this simple action. In addition, we feel better as the years progress when we stretch daily. Our body is looser which helps offset the lose in elasticity. George Burns swore his secret was to spend 15 minutes each day stretching and he lived to 100. Solid advice.

3. Read for 30 minutes

This time is found by turning of the television. Spend 30 minutes a day reading to increase you knowledge. It is helpful if you pick up a book on a subject you never explored. This will peak your curiosity while potentially uncovering a subject you might fall in love with. Reading is relaxing, expands our knowledge, and stimulates our mental creativity.

4. Spend 15 minutes decluttering

We have too much stuff. There are items stuffed in every crevice of the house. Spend time each day going through different drawers discarding items that are not needed. Plan on filling a trash can each week while putting together a box of items for donation. Getting rid of old stuff increases the flow of energy within our surroundings.

5. Journal

This is a historic method of self therapy. We all have things bouncing around in our head. Writing is a way to get things out of the mental to a place where we can look at them. It makes it easier to deal with feelings and situations when we view it on paper. Writing each day will declutter some of the emotional/mental baggage that is weighing us down.

6. Drink more water

We are told that we need a minimum of 8 glasses of water. Most drink far less than this. Water is a terrific way to appease one's appetite thus causing us to eat less. Soda and other popular beverages are high in sugar and caffeine which adversely affect the body. Replace them with water will help to increase energy in addition to your overall health.

7. Have a salad with each meal

Greens help the body nutritionally. They also make one eat less at one sitting. Most people are overweight and the eating of a salad cuts down on the desire to have a second helping of pasta. Since our meals tend to be low in nutritional value, a salad helps to offer the body the good "fuel" it needs.

8. Learn a foreign language

It is easy with the Internet. Search for free courses and you will find lots of sites offering tutorials. Once you start on the language, a natural offshoot of that is to learn about the culture in that country. This will open up different opportunities in areas of travel, friends, and career.

9. Wake up earlier

Ben Franklin believed in the early to bed, early to rise. The morning hours can be really beneficial if applied properly. Too many get up and rush out of the house. Arising 30 minutes earlier will give you time to relax and consider your day. Perhaps this is the time you use to journal.

10. Create a daily to do list

This is one of the most powerful productivity tools. Writing down the activities you seek to accomplish clarifies your thinking while eliminating wasted time. Working from this list allows you to move effortless from one activity to another. This increases productivity-something that helps any business or career. Also, you will be sure to attend to the important tasks which often get lost when trying to handle the different emergencies throughout the day.

11. Spend 5 minutes thinking

Most people spend more time thinking about where to go on vacation then they do thinking about their life. Rumor is that Einstein would spend 30 minutes each day just thinking. Take a piece of paper and write down whatever ideas come to mind. You will be amazed how many opportunities come to mind during these sessions.

12. Spend time outside

We live in an indoor world. The human spirit enjoys the freedom from being outside. It is therapeutic to get in touch with nature and all it's wonders. Even if you are in a big city, spend 5-10 minutes looking up at the stars at night. Consider all there is out there and how incredible the universe is.

13. Create a vision board

This is an ancient technique which is used for great success. Spend a day with a piece of cardboard and some old magazines (remember our decluttering). Cut out pictures of things that represent what you want in life and attach them to your board. As you do this, a visual of your future life begins to emerge. Hang it where you can see it each day. Periodically amend it to better reflect your desires.

14. Go for a walk

You need not be a marathon runner. Walking is one of the healthier activities there is. It allows us to get outside and enjoy nature. Also, in addition to the health benefits, we can couple this with the socialization of another by getting a walking partner.

15. Savor your food

Food is a wonderful aspect of life. There is so much more to it than satisfying our hunger. However, we live in a fast paced world which necessitates eating on the run. We rarely enjoy what we are putting into our mouths. Savor every bite of the next meal that you eat. Turn off the television and eat in silence. Slow down and enjoy the process. This will stimulate you to try different things.

16. Join an organization/group

There is great enjoyment about being around like minded people. Each community has multiple groups or organizations that you can join. Some focus on civic contributions while others are based upon interests or hobbies. You will enjoy socialization, an increase in knowledge by learning from others, and be given an opportunity to contribute.

17. Strike up a conversation with a stranger

The next time you stand in line, talk with the person behind (or ahead of) you. An amazing thing happens: you learn they are human. Most live a "scared" existence by hurrying past people we do not know. Having the confidence to talk with anyone, anywhere helps us to become more social which increases happiness and career opportunities. This single action opens up a world of possibilities.

18. Partner with another in a business

Ownership is the key to success in most cultures. Historically, it was land; now it is a business. Find someone to start a business with as a means of affecting the financial resources of your family. You might find that a new career develops for you. Partnering also teaches us the value of a team. Two people working together are far more productive than working as individuals.

19. Get a pet (or a plant if the pet is not feasible)

Learning responsibility is a good thing. It is one of the keys to success. A pet (or plant) is totally dependent upon you. Also, they are always there when you come home. The joy that comes from taking care of something else is indescribable. Suddenly, you will have something else to focus upon.

20. Phone an old friend

We all lose touch of people we care about. Pick up the phone and call someone you were close to in the past. There is a good chance many of those same feelings are still there. Distance and time need not be reasons to keep a good friendship apart. Rekindle the emotions of old to find the fulfillment and happiness you once had.

You now have 20 things you can do today which will set your life in a different direction. Each of these actions is simple. Yet it is the simplicity which makes them effective. Try each of them for a week and see how differently you feel. This will lay the foundation for an entirely new life.
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