Just watched a Ted Talk about procrastination. Tim Urban – a master procrastinator.

I have a cover letter to write that I really don’t know how to start, which is why I am on YouTube watching inspirational Ted Talks. Makes sense.

Tim Urban talks about the difference between the mind of a normal functioning non-procrastinator and his – a procrastinator mind. The major difference he has found is the presence of the Instant Gratification Monkey. I can relate.

Unfortunately, the Monkey has a great deal of influence over the Rational Decision-Maker. I think that we all know the conflict that arises between the Rational Decision-Maker and the Instant Gratification Monkey. Even if our brains aren’t in procrastination mode on a daily basis, most of us have experienced the pull of something that is fun and easy and makes us feel good right now, over the “to-do” item on our list that demands some preparation and that only after hours or days of hard “slog” gives a feeling of gratification. Hands down, “now” wins more often than not. That conflict is real and constantly taking place for a procrastinator.

Tim then introduces the Panic Monster. As Tim Urban explains it, the Panic Monster actually ends up becoming the driving factor for the procrastinator. When the deadline for whatever it is we are procrastinating about approaches, the panic monster wakes up. It is at this point that we enter the realm of chaos. The Monkey scoots up the nearest tree and the Rational Decision-Maker takes the helm and we cram for 72 hours straight and meet the deadline. My son, “cramming” for his final exam. Which he passed by the way. This anxiety can be very effective albeit not healthy as a constant companion in the long run. And how did I end up on this tangent?

Oh right, my cover letter. I am job searching. Writing my cover letter is rather important. Writing a good one is essential. I would like to be considered for the position that I am applying for. I would really like to be invited for a conversation. It is, dare I say critical, when applying for a position that I have limited work experience with but feel a burning passion for, that my cover letter leaves a positive impression. Especially since this is a path that I know deep in my heart is the one I am to follow.

So I am going to trick my Instant Gratification Monkey. Is this possible? Can this be done? Is that even an option? While scrolling YouTube this morning – don’t laugh, the Monkey was still in charge at that point – I happened upon a video of Nerd HQ “Conversations for a cause” from 2013 with Zac Levi and his guest Tom Hiddleston (Avengers). Not something I had seen before but I stopped a while and ended staying for the hour long conversation. You know that feeling when your intuition nudges you? There was something I was there to hear. Two things actually. Tom quoted a friend, who quoted Confucius “We have two lives. The second one begins when you realise you only have one.” This was in response to a question about where he draws his positivity from. He wants to live that one life. He continued that negativity, negative thoughts, are just clouds passing. Let them go. Life is just too amazing. And it is.

He went on to say “Don’t be afraid of your passion. Give it free rein. And be honest and work hard. It’ll all turn out ok. Give yourself permission to care” Ok. Eyes open – heart open. I will. I am. It resonates with me – the following statements: “It’s so much easier to lose when you’ve shown everyone how much you don’t care whether you win or lose. It’s much harder to lose when you show that you care, but you’ll never win unless you also stand to lose.” So – Instant Gratification Monkey off you go. Climb your tree. Even though the Panic Monster hasn’t yet reared it’s anxious head, I actually have a deadline. I have to get this done and it has to be near perfect. Because this matters. And I do care.