Of Negative Self-Statements and Overcoming Procrastination

As it is often said, our own worst critic is none other than - ourselves!

Sometimes, we often hear that tiny voice inside us critiquing and judging our worth even before we even begin working. Should we really listen to this winy tiny voice inside?

If you will listen to that voice, statements flashing like neon lights are familiar ones like: you're not that good, your work is mediocre, you're just average.

In effect, this tiny critic inside is telling us that we should stop or else end up a failure.

Among our already many fears and anxieties caused by our external environment, this tiny critic is an addition. But I suspect this is not inherent, but just a creation caused by many factors. So begins my investigation.

Tomes and libraries of motivational books, magazine articles and literature already discussed this constant problem that many people grapple with most of the time.  This self-critic often breeds this badass habit of procrastination.

Deeply if you will ask: Am I really that bad that myself is telling me?

Definitely not, and some I guess will agree with me.  Because obviously, that is not the way to everybody. And if it were, we would be short with great Olympians, great basketball players, great authors, great role models and inspirational people. And I agree that it was not that way for you, for us, all the time.

It is this tiny threatening judge that Neil Fiore, author of the Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying a Guilt-Free Play, advises us to learn to control. Fiore said that this demanding voice begs us to feel we are the victim here.  As a victim, we are to blame for everything, for our faults, for our mistakes. But the reality is that there are no mistakes yet because you are not yet starting with your work.  If you listen to that tiny voice, it will obviously end up the victor and you the loser, guilty.

One solution, Fiore offers, is by converting these negative self-statements with positive self-statements. By refocusing one's focus toward the task at hand, rather than to questions of one's ability or worth, we end up the winner and our own source of approval. When we become the source of approval, we become less dependent on external judgments of our worth to face that blank sheet of paper or canvass to work.

Diversion Portion: 
Before I end up this blog, catch here 2011 Pulitzer Prize winning author Jennifer Sagan's advice for writers on why Best Writers Lists should be ignored. Top ten bests, best of the best lists are often source of external judgment for anyone aspiring to enter the world of arts (whether that be writing, music, arts, dance, etc.).

Now, hope your next conversation with your self will be like this:

VBR: Sorry mate, your work will suck, so don't pretend you're going to finish this blog!
Me: Sorry too. I am done.