Indulge In The Pause

I decided to go back to bed today, and I stayed there two more hours.

Lazy? Indulgent? Entitled? Maybe.

Strategic? Calculated? Investing? Definitely.

We are all constantly victim to our own unending expectations of ourselves, and the external expectations of loved ones and social norms.

But something I’ve learned over the years is that I must take care of certain priorities first, like sleep, before anything else functions well.

The same is true of you.

You might be procrastinating on that course, book, or task you need to finish to become a better money manager.

The question when you’re avoiding, then, isn’t, “What is wrong with you?”

Try instead, “What is this procrastination telling me, protecting me from, or what need is this flagging?”

I asked myself these questions when I sat at the computer unable to accomplish much of anything, realizing it was the pressure of expectations freezing me up and amplifying my fatigue. The only antidote was the opposite of pushing harder, forcing focus, or working longer.

It was permission to pull back, take a real break (instead of the fake break that procrastinating is), and revisit priorities tomorrow.

As hard as it is to give yourself that permission, to intentionally delay or pause longer when you already feel behind, I continue to be amazed at how well it helps get things moving again.

So if any aspect of your life, financial tasks especially, feels like a rebelling toddler, perhaps just indulge the tantrum. Push it to next week, close the book, step away.

Truly, with intention and without guilt.

Because the reality is that getting stuck, avoiding hard things, and procrastinating on aspects of your financial well-being are normal parts of modern life. Just like “check engine” lights and leaky faucets are normal parts of owning cars and houses.

Often the trick is to not indulge too much in the unhelpful mental tailspin judging yourself, but instead to take a pause, and move on with strength when you’re ready.

Because the reality is nothing is wrong with you.

You may just need a drawdown period. Even elite athletes must rest before periods of great performance.

There’s probably something you’re feeling panic or guilt about not getting done right now (maybe always). Perhaps your retirement planning or figuring out how you’ll pay for something big looming on the horizon.

Try viewing your avoidance to date as simply a drawdown period. And when you’re ready, you’ll tackle that issue at your best. 

When I’m more patient with myself in this way, things tend to get done more quickly in the end, and with much less drama.

Consider this an invitation to do the same for yourself.