I’m writing this during tax season, which could also be called procrastination panic season. I usually do my taxes in February, but this year I had to wait for some info, and it was complicated and I stalled and stuff came up…and I had a whole story about why I was “late” and how hard it was going to be.

“Because” it’s hard I dreaded doing them, and because I dreaded them, I avoided and on and on.

I’m just picking on taxes, but this is really about anything that I put off because I think it’s going to be hard. Thankfully, there isn’t much of that left these days. I’m pretty good at putting things on the calendar and just doing them.

I tell myself that it isn’t really hard, I’m just not in the right mindset.

I tell myself that I need to focus.

I tell myself that I just need to create the right time and space to focus.

Sometimes I tell myself to just do it anyway.

Did you notice that I tell myself a lot of stuff in this story? That’s right. I narrate the experience to myself. On purpose, with purpose.

If I don’t, my brain makes up all kinds of things to fill in the gaps. My brain is amazing and smart and creative and protective…but not always helpful. I keep things on (my) track by narrating.

That’s how I tell my brain how to think. I don’t always have to tell it what to think, just how I want it to think – think positively, look for things to be grateful for, give people the benefit of the doubt, look for the truth, don’t be defensive. Is that point of view helping? What if that negative thing I just thought about myself isn’t true? What if it isn’t about me at all? Do I really need to be afraid? All kinds of guidance. I coach my brain, too.

I think it’s pretty funny that this thing that I do – talking to myself – is what keeps me sane, but if I were to say it all out loud, people would think I’m crazy!

And remember: in all things – progress, not perfection!

*****

p.s. So what’s your narrative? Want help figuring out what it could be? If you’d like to talk about it, send me an email and we can set up a time to chat. maggie@talktomaggie.com