Don’t Be A Dick

I once heard a story about Richard Nixon, the former President.

During his summer vacations from the rigors of academia, Nixon’s father, ever keen on nurturing his son’s intellectual prowess, would give him a series of stimulating tasks. One such assignment involved writing an essay on a subject that held little interest for the young Nixon. Given his task, he retired to his personal sanctuary, immersed himself in a world of books and diligent research, and penned an essay for his expectant father.

Upon completing his essay, the youthful Nixon approached his father, who occupied his customary position behind an imposing mahogany desk, seated regally upon a chair that evoked more the aura of a throne than a mere seat. Nixon’s father, with wire-framed glasses perched precariously on the bridge of his nose, cast a cursory glance over the handwritten three-page composition. “Is this the best you can do?” he inquired, his voice tinged with a hint of expectant inquiry.

Hiding his annoyance, Nixon wordlessly retrieved the papers from his father’s grasp and withdrew to his room. Two hours later, and with resolute determination, he reemerged, presenting himself once again at his father’s formidable desk. With a glance that barely grazed the essay, Nixon’s father raised his gaze and, repeating his earlier query, asked, “Is this the best you can do?”

Releasing an audible sigh that resonated through the room, Nixon, fueled by a surge of frustrated determination, seized the papers from his father’s outstretched hand and stormed back to what now felt like his prison cell. Well into the night, Nixon immersed himself in a relentless quest for information. He combed through the shelves of literary treasures within the house, delved into the forgotten recesses of basement boxes, and even sought the wisdom of neighboring souls. With each discovered morsel of information, Nixon’s resolve solidified.
Under the flickering glow of his desk lamp, he embarked on a fervent reimagining of his composition. He meticulously reconstructed the entire piece, weaving together newfound facts and imbuing it with his own insightful commentary. Embodying an air of defiance, Nixon, with his magnum opus in hand, marched purposefully into his father’s office, ready to face the ultimate judgment.

Nixon’s father, pinky finger out, delicately lifted his glasses, and once again positioned them securely at the customary perch on the bridge of his nose. However, instead of a mere cursory glance, he engaged in a focused and intrigued reading of the composition. Every subtle movement of his eyebrows and every twist of his lips became a spectacle under Nixon’s watchful gaze. The measured clicking of his father’s tongue seemed to stretch time into an eternal moment.

With the conclusion of the reading, his father lowered the page and posed the familiar question, “Is this the best you can do…?”
Incensed and angry, the young Nixon could no longer contain himself and yelled, “YES! This is unquestionably the best I can do.”
To Nixon’s surprise, his father’s demeanor shifted to a relaxed state of amusement. He reclined in his chair, exuding an air of subtle satisfaction, and uttered, “Well, son, had you told me this is the best you can do, I would have accepted it the first time.”

Although the validity of this story remains uncertain, its essence shows us the significance of exerting genuine effort. How often do we find ourselves falling short of our own potential? What is it that hinders or blocks us from embodying and presenting our highest and best version of self? And is there a way to make work, fun?

Ah, the enigma of all enigmas! The answer, however, is complicated and there are many factors that contribute to this issue. Below are some explanations that shed light on why we might fall short of our full potential and find ourselves caught in the cycle of procrastination.
Firstly, the pursuit of perfectionism. The fear of falling short of unattainable standards drives us to delay or avoid tasks altogether. Secondly, a lack of intrinsic motivation can hinder our ability to summon the necessary drive and invest our best efforts in a given endeavor.
Also, the overwhelming nature of a daunting workload or intricate project can paralyze us, leading to procrastination as a means of momentarily escaping the mounting stress. Additionally, the fear of failure as well as fear of success – can impede us from unleashing our true potential. The fear of failure creates a crippling paralysis, while the fear of success harbors anxieties surrounding heightened responsibilities and expectations.
Next confidence, or the lack thereof, plays a significant role as well. You don’t believe you can do it. Those who doubt their own abilities or harbor self-limiting beliefs may struggle to summon the confidence necessary to exert their best efforts.
Let’s not forget about distractions. In our ever-connected world, distractions are everywhere. The ubiquitous presence of technology, with its siren call of social media and constant connectivity, diverts our attention and hampers productivity. Poor time management skills exacerbate the issue, further fueling the flames of procrastination.
Moreover, certain tasks can elicit aversion, whether due to their unpleasant nature or lack of intrinsic interest. This aversion can impede our ability to muster the necessary motivation to perform at our best.
It’s essential to recognize that these factors can vary from person to person, and overcoming them often requires a tailored approach, along with introspection, self-reflection and support, such as a Life Coach (wink, wink).

The good news is that you can improve, and any progress regardless of how small, is still progress. Allow me to share a few suggestions to get you started.

• Embrace progress over perfection: Rather than fixating on flawless outcomes, shift your focus to incremental progress. Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps, and celebrate each accomplishment along the way. This approach fosters a sense of motivation and propels you forward.

• Cultivate intrinsic motivation; the internal drive and enjoyment we experience when engaging in an activity for its inherent satisfaction, rather than for external rewards or pressures. Look for the deeper sense of purpose and find the reasons why a task is meaningful to you personally. By aligning your efforts with your values and aspirations, it becomes easier to summon the internal motivation needed to give your best.

• Break it down and prioritize: When faced with overwhelming tasks or projects, break them down into smaller, actionable chunks. Prioritize these tasks based on importance and urgency. By tackling them one at a time, you’ll gain momentum and prevent feelings of being overwhelmed.

• Address fears and limiting beliefs: Recognize and confront any fears or self-limiting beliefs that may be holding you back. Challenge negative thoughts and replace them with positive affirmations. Seek support from mentors, friends, or professionals to help you navigate and overcome these obstacles.

• Develop effective time management strategies: Implement practical techniques such as creating a schedule, setting deadlines, and utilizing productivity tools. Break tasks into manageable time blocks, and minimize distractions by setting boundaries with technology or creating a conducive work environment.

• Seek accountability and support: Engage in an accountability partnership or join a supportive community that shares similar goals. This can provide encouragement, feedback, and an added sense of responsibility, motivating you to stay committed and accountable.

• Find ways to make tasks more engaging: Inject elements of creativity, gamification, or personal interest into tasks to make them more enjoyable. Explore different approaches, explore new angles, or connect tasks to your passions to increase engagement and reduce aversion.

Getting past procrastination and dealing with a lack of motivation can be tough, no doubt about it. But here’s the deal – it just takes some patience, persistence, and being kind to yourself along the way. By using these strategies, you can cultivate a productive mindset and discover your hidden strengths. And when the time comes, whether it’s someone else or even that little voice inside your head asking, ‘Is this the best you can do?’ You can stand tall and confidently say, ‘Yes!’ And, mean it.”

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If you are tired of feeling stuck, unmotivated, and constantly putting things off then I’ve got something that might just help! Take a peek at this transformative course “Rise and Thrive: Ignite Your Motivation!” It’s all about boosting your motivation, powering through obstacles, and saying goodbye to procrastination. You don’t want to miss out on this insightful course.

So, don’t be a “Dick,” click the link below and start making positive changes today!” For a limited time, I will be offering the course for less, click here to retrieve your coupon.

*And of course, I’m available should you want more personalized help.

Darlene