As the seasons change, it naturally pushes us to think about making changes in our own lives. If
you’re planning on making some positive changes this week, big or small, good
for you. But I’m not sure this idea of seasonal change is such a good thing,
because it gives us an excuse to put things off: “I’ll party through the summer
and get myself sober in the fall.” “I plan to start looking for a better job
right after the new year.” “Next summer I’ll make some new, sober friends.”

One of the most common reasons
people don’t achieve their goals is that they procrastinate. Procrastinating
means putting off doing something. It means finding a reason—any reason—not to do it now.

There are a lot of reasons why people procrastinate. Some people just can’t stand to feel any discomfort. Some
people get easily distracted. Some people don’t want to do anything that will
not bring them immediate pleasure. Some people are so afraid of failing that
they never start anything. Some people just can’t resist the lure of having a
good time.

One way to stop procrastinating is to think about a time when you set yourself a goal and a deadline and got it
done. It could be something as small as washing the dishes or as big as taking
a college entrance exam. Think about that time. How did you convince yourself
to get started? How did you feel while you were doing it? How did you feel when
you finished? How can you tap into those feelings now.

Doing what you plan to do, without putting it off, is one of those things you get better at with practice. So set
yourself a task this week—the first week of the new season. If you’re used to
procrastinating about everything, make it a small task. Think about how great
you’re going to feel when you get it done, and then do it.

Use that great feeling to set yourself another task for next week. Don’t put it off until the seasons change again. As you start tackling your tasks and meeting your goals, the Law of Sobriety says you will be filled
with the energy you need to meet bigger and bigger goals.

Sherry Gaba, LCSW, is a Psychotherapist and Award Winning Author, Speaker, and Life Coach on Celebrity Rehab on VH1 as well as media expert on E!News, CNN, HLN’s Prime News, HLN’s Showbiz Tonight, and contributor to the Huffington Post, the Wellness Wire, Renew Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Women’s World, and the NY Daily News.  You can reach Sherry at sherry@sgabatherapy.com for psychotherapy or life coaching.  30 minute consultations $45.00.  Agoura, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Malibu, Calabasas, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Newbury Park.