The real reason you’re procrastinating about “that project…”

Core Article: The real reason you’re procrastinating about “that project…”

Quote I’m Pondering: “Procrastination is not Laziness…”

Powerful Affirmations to Inspire:” I release what no longer serves…”

The real reason you’re procrastinating about “that project…”

The front door opens, and I can feel and hear that wooshing sound of the wind as it brushes against my body and seems to overtake all of my senses. My eyes close for a second, partly because it feels good. And also because I’m already imagining ten things at once. Yet, the day has barely started.

My mind never ceases to stop thinking. So I do what I’ve learned to do: I take her with me.

I head into the woods. This is where courage and inspiration show up. Not as a dramatic lightning bolt, more like a steady settling in. As I’m walking, thinking, and talking to myself, I wake up the birds with my heavy footsteps.

I feel like my mind is still like a five-year-old sometimes, especially once I’m on the trail. I’m in nature, my happy place, and where I find my best ideas for writing.

Where do you find you get your best ideas?

Just as I’m trying to create some brilliant work of storywriting in my head for this eNewsletter, my 5-year-old wants to know when we’re gonna eat breakfast.

It’s like she’s along for the ride without my permission, with her running commentary, asking questions, whining, negotiating, trying to take the wheel.

Does this ever happen to you? (Please tell me I’m not alone in this. 🙂

I use all the tools I have to tame her, quiet her down. I breathe and do my 5-senses exercise. I’ve included a link to this in the P.S. (I may have shared it with you before, and it’s worth checking out again, promise.)

And I have to use them and other breathing techniques because I know this is where the magic happens, noticing the trees, watching the sun rise, and the way it wakes up the trail.

When my 5-year-old child, also known as my fearful, whiny brain, has quieted down, that’s when my creative brain comes online. It’s not overthinking, negotiating, procrastinating, dreading, or perfectionism, all of it stemming from fear. And I swear it gets loudest when I care the most.

What do you get your daily inspiration from?

Because it hits me again, a trail is such a perfect teacher. You can see what’s in front of you, you can see the top of the mountain, and you can’t see the whole path up because there are trees and rocks in the way.

That’s how a lot of the projects you care about most feel, too.

You can see the summit, you can see the step in front of you, and everything else is just turns that you can’t predict.

So when you’re stuck or procrastinating, it’s rarely the actual “thing” or “task” that stops you. It’s what happens inside you when your creative brain wants to move, and your fearful brain starts negotiating.

Then your system can slip into that familiar mode where you avoid the whole thing, you feel guilty for avoiding it, and then you avoid it harder.

When you’re avoiding something important, it usually isn’t laziness. It’s fear meeting uncertainty, and the next right move is one real step, not forcing the whole path.

If you’ve been there, you’re not alone.

That’s why I have been building the Soulful Mountain Method, and with everything happening with my Mom, it got put on the back burner for a bit.

I believe in it, and I know it works. It’s a way to deal with that moment where you can see the summit, and you can’t see the whole trail. I teach you how to deal with the negative voices and procrastination.

What’s the thing you’re circling right now, the project you can see the summit of, even if you can’t see the whole trail yet?

If you’re interested in discovering more about The Soulful Mountain Method, hit reply and let me know.

What’s the thing you keep putting on the list and then moving to a new day, because I have a feeling you’re closer than you think.

Remember: The heart feels deeper than the eyes can ever see.

Hands at your back always. 🙂
Shannon

PS: Download the 5 Senses exercise as my gift to you.

Quote I’m Pondering

“Procrastination is not Laziness”, I tell him. “It is fear. Call it by its right name, and forgive yourself.”
~ Julia Cameron, The Prosperous Heart

Powerful Affirmations to Inspire

“My brand radiates trust, excellence, and transformation.”
“I welcome large sums of money with confidence and ease.”
“I release what no longer serves me with grace.”

Cool Stuff

Having traveled a lot for work over the years, this one still bugs me: Why do hotels make their beds so tight, it’s hard to get the sheets out to get in bed!
This is kind of crazy, someone used an ancient coin made over 2k years ago as a bus token. Hmmmm
Did you know that the human brain runs on the same watts of power as your computer monitor? Hmmmm.

Weekly Photos

It was dog sitting Ruby this past week; she’s pretty cute, I have to say. I’ve never had a dog with a dark brown coat. It’s interesting when trying to take pics: getting her eyes is more of a lighting/camera challenge. She looks more like a muppet, very cute.
While walking in the neighborhood, we saw this wild turkey that flew onto the roof. This took us both by surprise. You never know what’s gonna happen when you’re out for a walk in our neighborhood.
It’s been so unusually warm this week that the tulips are blooming. I love this white-and-red one.
Alice and I took a hike at Bailey’s Cove, a perfect brisk morning for it. I love walking around Lake Shasta, so many terrific views of the water and the mountains – good for the soul.
Here’s another view between the trees. Love this trail cuz it hugs the water, and the views are inspiring.
Yep, there’s me doing my best to get some work done at the computer, yet Ruby just wants to be a lapdog. I tuckered her out on our hike. She’s a good napper.
This was a rather interesting morning sun view with all the clouds in the sky, which looked like it was painted. And you can see Mt. Lassen in the background, along with the mountain ranges.

P.S.S. Whenever You’re Ready: Here are 3 Ways I can make an impact on creating greater success in your business using marketing that’s aligned with your mission and values without feeling like you’re selling your soul.

1. Make Money Now Sheet – It’s one of the bonuses in my 7-Step Soulful Marketing System. I wanted to give it to you for free to help you create more success.

2. Love Books Like I Do? – I’m always reviewing the best nonfiction books – Where Buddha Meets Business.

3. Get my proven 7-Step Soulful Marketing System. It gives you the framework you need to implement authentic and connected marketing using online customer experiences and launching your products, services, or courses. It will help you create greater success.

It’s a simple system, especially if you love to read like me. There’s no video or audio. Plus, you get my proven templates, tools, and worksheets, all with tremendous value. And I’m pricing it incredibly low so it can be more accessible to more people. 🙂

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I appreciate your sharing. Thank you!

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