"Is Procrastination Affecting Your Results? What About Your Relationships?"

Posted on August 09, 2012 by Derek Sleater Cook, One of Thousands of ADD ADHD Coaches on Noomii.

I grew up acting out the charades to a popular song now best rendered by Michael Buble, “Call Me Irresponsible!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj_eUUaWBu0

Even in my Eagle Scout Court of Honor, the tribute from my equestrian coach, Mrs. Gwen Nix, stated that I had an excuse and story for everything.

It didn’t end in my youth, I took my creative story telling into my adult and professional life. I don’t exactly recall when I got it, but I did eventually figure out that I was the only believing my own excuses!

In June of 2009, I received a gift in the form of an “Accountability” workshop facilitator’s guide being left on my desk by my new director as we were transferred to the Education & Development department. For the past three years, it has been my privilege to facilitate, “The Accountability Experience” by Linda Galindo, and it has changed my life!

My greatest souvenir (benefit) has been to more fully own that every choice in my life has been a lesson that has helped to create the person that I am today. For many years, as I struggled with addiction, insecurity, job hopping, and no long-term commitment, even to goals I was passionate about, I played the “victim” role and cursed my challenges. Along with my life coaching training, my spiritual path and embracing Linda’s “Accountability” concepts, I proudly own every choice I have made as an integral part of creating the man that I respect, esteem, accept and love as me!

There is no better source for accountability tools than the guru herself, Linda Galindo. I had the honor of joining her for lunch a few months ago, with a mutual friend and mentor, Teri Olsen, and it was a real treat!
I am posting her link here and certainly recommend that you consider subscribing, as her message is fresh, direct and spot-on!!! May I invite you to consider exploring Linda’s book, “The 85% Solution.”

I continue to learn more and more from the “Accountability Master,” most recently this past week in a two and a half day seminar “The Accountability Experience Train the Trainer” with my husband, in Park City, Utah.

In a couple of weeks, I will be evaluated on my annual goal, “Do what I say I will do, when I say I will do it!” The entire past year has been a quest to pursue both the menial tasks of managing e-mail and the grander goal of achieving a 6-pack for the first time since I was 12 years-old! I have not been perfect in responding to each important e-mail in a timely manner, yet my progress feels very satisfying. My husband requested a task which I resented, but he asked for a “By When” (a core accountability component of the ‘Clear Agreement’) and although I fought it up until the date I gave as my “By When,” it was my declaration (annual goal) that compelled me to complete the task as promised! Wow-what a victory for me!

In my fitness goal, I have fallen in love with myself as I have remained committed for the entire year and progressed from 195lbs to 160lbs, from a 41" gut to 33" (31W pants) and 7.4% body fat. My blood pressure has returned to normal and I feel great!!! I must admit my surprise that in spite of the benefits of feeling and looking fit, it is the immense satisfaction in “Doing what I said I was going to do, when I said I was going to do it,” that has been the most rewarding!

How would you like to experience falling in love with yourself?

What dream are your procrastinating in your relationship or career that his holding you back?

How can you hold yourself more accountable to stay on track?

What baby step will you take today, this week and this month to keep a promise to yourself which will enhance your relationship with your significant other, your co-workers and/or your boss?

“Individuals carry their success or failure with them, it does not depend on outside conditions.”

-Ralph Waldo Trine, 1856-1958