From procrastination to active decision making
This morning I was facilitating a group for individuals in the process of reclaiming the life which active addiction to alcohol and other drugs had stolen from them. One of the clients said he had a habit of procrastinating. When I checked the primary definition of procrastination in the Oxford Dictionary I found, “The action of delaying or postponing something.” One is making a decision. Yet, to this client and many others with whom I have discussed this issue, it does not seem as if they are making a decision. They seem unaware or not conscious of saying to themselves, “I am going to delay or postpone this action.” It may be that that have practiced this behavior so long that it is a habit. Habits are, of course, a necessary component of being able to function. I do not have time to consider the steps necessary to get out of bed, brush my teeth, put in my contacts, relieve myself, get dressed, make a cup of coffee and do email before heading to the gym. I have practiced these actions for many years. I do not have to consider (1) whether I am going to engage in these morning activities or (2) the various muscles and steps required to complete each action.
If I ignore the internal or external alarm and remain in bed on successive mornings I will gradually build a habit. I no longer think about the fact that I am making a decision to have a very stressful day since I now have to rush and/or apologize to my children for not getting them up in time and then to my boss for again being late to work. I may soon convince myself and attempt to convince others that I am unable to get myself out of bed at a scheduled time. While it may be true that (1) my internal clock is not designed to jump out of bed and cheerfully greet the day or (2) some medication or medical condition makes it very difficult for me to wake up, I am still capable of training myself to make some decisions which will make it possible for me to get out of bed at a certain hour. Of course, I may need to work with a physician, attempt to negotiate a later work shift or make some other changes.
For me the important point is to practice allowing myself to take responsibility for decisions I have made in the past to form a habit. As I accept that I am making a decision I have the power to make a different decision(s). A part of me may resist switching off the automatic button for a certain activity or way of thinking and instituting a new activity or way of thinking. With practice, however, the new behavior will become a habit.
All of us have some experience in changing habits. The young man in group had clearly made decisions which allowed him to arrive at the treatment program on time this morning. His previous habits involved focusing on feeding his addiction.
Another young man talked about thought stopping – pausing in his thought process to think about and then decide what action he is going to take. The “pause” is becoming a new habit.
Saying I “procrastinate” may make it seem as if one is a victim. Saying, “I am making a new decision.” is the action of a person who has the power and will to change.
Written October 24, 2017
This morning I was facilitating a group for individuals in the process of reclaiming the life which active addiction to alcohol and other drugs had stolen from them. One of the clients said he had a habit of procrastinating. When I checked the primary definition of procrastination in the Oxford Dictionary I found, “The action of delaying or postponing something.” One is making a decision. Yet, to this client and many others with whom I have discussed this issue, it does not seem as if they are making a decision. They seem unaware or not conscious of saying to themselves, “I am going to delay or postpone this action.” It may be that that have practiced this behavior so long that it is a habit. Habits are, of course, a necessary component of being able to function. I do not have time to consider the steps necessary to get out of bed, brush my teeth, put in my contacts, relieve myself, get dressed, make a cup of coffee and do email before heading to the gym. I have practiced these actions for many years. I do not have to consider (1) whether I am going to engage in these morning activities or (2) the various muscles and steps required to complete each action.
If I ignore the internal or external alarm and remain in bed on successive mornings I will gradually build a habit. I no longer think about the fact that I am making a decision to have a very stressful day since I now have to rush and/or apologize to my children for not getting them up in time and then to my boss for again being late to work. I may soon convince myself and attempt to convince others that I am unable to get myself out of bed at a scheduled time. While it may be true that (1) my internal clock is not designed to jump out of bed and cheerfully greet the day or (2) some medication or medical condition makes it very difficult for me to wake up, I am still capable of training myself to make some decisions which will make it possible for me to get out of bed at a certain hour. Of course, I may need to work with a physician, attempt to negotiate a later work shift or make some other changes.
For me the important point is to practice allowing myself to take responsibility for decisions I have made in the past to form a habit. As I accept that I am making a decision I have the power to make a different decision(s). A part of me may resist switching off the automatic button for a certain activity or way of thinking and instituting a new activity or way of thinking. With practice, however, the new behavior will become a habit.
All of us have some experience in changing habits. The young man in group had clearly made decisions which allowed him to arrive at the treatment program on time this morning. His previous habits involved focusing on feeding his addiction.
Another young man talked about thought stopping – pausing in his thought process to think about and then decide what action he is going to take. The “pause” is becoming a new habit.
Saying I “procrastinate” may make it seem as if one is a victim. Saying, “I am making a new decision.” is the action of a person who has the power and will to change.
Written October 24, 2017
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