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Three Challenges That Are Holding Me Back

10dbc-day01I'm participating in Natalie Sisson's 10-Day Blog Challenge. The reason I signed up for this is that I have this blog, and I'm not writing anything. So, what am I doing? Sadly, the honest answer appears to be watching Netflix. I'm currently binging on Firefly. I have this awesome list of stuff I want to get done all set up in Todoist, I've got it hooked up to a master list of options in Trello. And I'm just looking at it. This is not the first time I've hit peak-procrastination. And I don't think it will be the last.

For some reason, I seem to like contemplating, planning, and ordering much more than actually executing. Or do I? I don't know about you, but every time I kick myself in the butt and get going, I really get into the zone and get an amazing amount of shit done. So why am I not doing that consistently? I think there are three main things holding me back. They are challenges I need to overcome.

Challenge #1: Fear Of Failure

My first challenge is my fear of failure. For me, failure is not delivering to the highest standard possible. I know this is a pretty stupid way to look at it, as the real definition of failure is of course not getting started, but whenever I am on the verge of getting started with something I feel as if I'm never going to really succeed at it. And therefore, I postpone getting started. Ridiculously, I've proven myself wrong time and time again, as whenever I have gotten started, and seen something through to completion, I've mostly succeeded or learned something valuable, or both. This is the main reason I'm participating in the 10-Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge. It's my daily kick in the butt to write stuff like this and really get started blogging.

Challenge #2: Sense Of Overload

The second challenge I face is a sense of overload. There are so many things I really want to do, that I literally can't see the forest for the trees. And end up just watching the forest from afar. Doing something else, like binging on series. I've read a ton of self-help books to help me manage my time better, design my perfect life, and get things done. Only to discover that I was using that as an excuse to not actually do anything. I was just reading a lot. Binging on books. About a year ago I decided to start simplifying my life and only focus on my day-job at Xebia, my night-job at bonnema.ink, and my family. And I did. Trouble is, I wasn't really focussing. I was restructuring my to-do lists under a new set of headers.

Challenge #3: Procrastination

The third challenge I face is the thing that prevents me from really tackling the first two: procrastination. I'm really good at procrastinating. I've even put of writing this blog to check on my flight from Madrid to Amsterdam tomorrow. And that was after reading Natalie's post and deciding to take immediate action on it. I've enrolled in Leo Babauta‘s unprocrastination course only to put off getting started with it. I really, really need to get into the habit of getting started. If you have a tip for me on how to create that habit, or if you're facing similar challenges, leave a comment below.

This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 1.

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Comments

  1. Paul says

    September 10, 2016 at 17:45

    Ah so familiar!
    Are you sure these are the things?

    Wouldn’t a strong sense of purpose cure all three?

    My underlying thing is mostly “what’s the point?”

    Reply
    • Laurens Bonnema says

      September 10, 2016 at 18:22

      Thanks Paul, I think you’re right about a strong sense of purpose. That will surely help with the challenges. I’m a bit saddened by your “what’s the point” remark, as for me this is something I’m really struggling with. That said, maybe in the end I’ll feel the same. 😉

      Reply

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Podcast Reviews

  • Awesome!
    October 19, 2015 by MartinHunt from United Kingdom

    I really love this podcast Laurens. It’s great to know there is someone out there who is as passionate about sketching as I am. That passion really does shine through in the episodes. Keep up the great work.

  • Great podcast
    October 1, 2015 by Alexliehappo from Netherlands

    I met Laurens at New Media Europe and was amazed at hit sketchnoting. I never heard of it before. This led me to this podcast. Great audio and great guest. This is a whole new world to explore. Keep it up.

  • I love this!!
    September 15, 2015 by @_TOUGH_GIRL from United Kingdom

    I met Lawrence at the NMEU conference. He is such a talented individual. I could hardly pay attention to the lecture as I was too busy watching him draw his notes. I had no idea this was even a thing. I'm now hooked. I don't have any talent! But I can appreciate good work and passion when I see it. He is so passionate about this topic. You can't help but be inspired!! Well done!! Looking forward to learning more!!

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