One of the most uncomfortable aspects of procrastination is that the thing we want to do or accomplish continues to niggle at us even while we’re trying to do something else so we can avoid getting to the job at hand, that we know must be done. (See how I procrastinated in getting to the end of that sentence?) Niggling (the word comes from old Scandinavia and implies finicky, fussy, petty) is just the kind of feeling that can wear us out with discouragement. We go on putting off the necessary task, but still worrying about it, and we tell ourselves “we can’t” and “it’s not possible” and “maybe tomorrow” till we’re blue with paralysis. There’s no mental or emotional way out of this kind of paralysis. Even stillness can’t help us. It’s only in the doing that we can be free. When we do what we need to do, it’s off our plate, our desktop, our mind—and we feel free. Freedom is one of the best feelings in the world. By taking care of the business at hand, we’re free to think clearly and feel peaceful and be still. What are you waiting for? Just do it—get it done. The time is now—in fact, this is the only time there is.
