Avoid Becoming A Couch Potato

The average American has the T.V. set on seven hours a day. The average American is a couch potato. It doesn't make any difference whether the screen is connected to a computer, the result in the same, except the computer version of the couch potato does something. He or she isn't just passive about it.


Why do we have so many couch potatoes today? And so many start so young -- tater tots, if you will! When and why did we stop moving?


Clear all your excuses to get things done.


A large reason adults become couch potatoes is due to procrastination. A strong habit of procrastination can leave a lot of destruction in its wake, so it can be helpful to be firm and unyielding with the techniques you use to conquer it. When it comes right down to it, you can analyze the reasons why you procrastinate as much as you like – but you won’t stop doing it until you decide that it’s time to take back control of your life.


Here are three powerful “no excuses” approaches that can help you do that:


1) Get tough.


One reason you may procrastinate is because you feel intimidated or overwhelmed by the tasks or chores facing you. In order to overcome a tendency to avoid things that seem difficult or frightening, you may find it helpful to consciously toughen yourself up.


How exactly do you do that? Try saying things like this to yourself: “No problem! This will be a piece of cake! I’m stronger than any fear or discomfort. I can handle this. I thrive on challenges.” At first you won’t really believe what you’re saying, but you may be able to “fake it until you make it” and experience a rush of power that can carry you through the rough spots.


2) Get determined.


Eventually you reach a point where you simply have to steel your determination to get things done, despite any excuses that may rise up to the contrary. If the tasks you’re working on are especially important, it may be easier than you think to talk yourself into a state of steely determination to get them done no matter what!


Try giving yourself a pep talk similar to this: “I am so sick of putting this off, and I want to be done with it! I’m just going to get moving on it right NOW, no matter how much I might want to keep avoiding it.” Just don’t allow yourself to put it off any longer, and you’ll be amazed at how effective such a tactic can be!


3) Get angry.


Finally, anger can be a great motivator too! Allow yourself to feel angry about your habit of putting things off until the last minute. Take a good, hard look at your circumstances and speak strongly to yourself about it: “It’s terrible what procrastination has done to my life! I’m sick of being a victim of my own fears and weaknesses. NO more! I’m taking control of this now and getting myself back on track. I’m not weak and I’m not a wimp, and I’m definitely not lazy – it’s time to stop acting like it.”


It's very tempting to make excuses. In fact it is one of your inner brat's favorite strategies. Excuses serve to protect you from facing your own shortcomings. They also try to keep other people from noticing your limitations. Excuses are a way of saying, "I'm really a good person, but . . ."


At the same time, however, excuses are only a temporary, quick fix. You may feel better for the moment, but in the long run you are dissatisfied with yourself.


No one has ever felt uplifted by making an excuse. Facing the truth is sometimes difficult, but it gives you the opportunity to take charge, to make positive decisions and to gradually eliminate the need for excuses.


Taking a “no excuses” approach to procrastination may seem intimidating at first, but if you give it a fair chance you might learn to love the feelings of inner strength and empowerment it can create. Like any habit, the longer you do it the more comfortable you’ll get with it, and the easier it will be to keep it going!

 Are you a couch potato? Take this short quiz to find out if you are a couch potato.

Note from the editor: Everyone needs goals, or so the saying goes. Truthfully, though, sometimes we do need some extra impetus to get out of bed, or off the couch, and out into the open air, to make something out of our lives and that is one purpose of the She’s So Fly blog…to inspire you to take your passion and make it happen!

Tight lines and fun times,

Sherri Russell