As a coach, I know how important it is to invest in myself and my business. I have studied with many of the top mentors. I know, firsthand how important it is to be pushed, stretched, and held accountable.

I have the distinct pleasure of being one of Karen Fagan’s private clients. In my opinion, Karen is THE Empowerment Expert. Today in Karen’s weekly ezine, she shared this great article on how to focus on what you desire in your life and your business and what makes people take action to move forward. Say good-bye to procrastination and lack of focus and Hello to Desire!

Having a laser focus on what one is trying to accomplish is the major force behind what propels some people to take action toward their heart’s desires. It is exhilarating to achieve, to finally arrive at a longed for goal. Let’s be honest, nothing great ever comes from procrastination. It carries the feeling of defeat, and you deserve better than that!

What happens when you think about realizing your heart’s desires? Do you often neglect to put into motion the actions that are sure to take you to the reward of reaching your destination? Perhaps you are easily distracted. Simply ‘forgetting where your focus is’ can actually be the biggest road-block to reaching your goal.

I want to encourage you to focus on what you desire – and stay focused – no matter what happens! You will be amazed by the immediate results of this one simple, but crucial, action. Like many other women I’ve coached, who have discovered the power of acting on their heart’s desire, instead of procrastinating, you’ll wonder why you ever put it off in the first place. To help you begin to do TODAY, what should never be put off until tomorrow, I’ve included the following 5 easy steps!

1. Connect to Your Desires
   – Most people procrastinate when disconnected from
   what they most desire. It is important to reconnect with your heart desires every day. Take time now to reconnect.  Close your eyes, take a deep breath in, and really connect to what you desire most.  Imagine yourself living out your desires (really create the picture in your mind).  How would you feel and what actions would you take?
2. Be Focused – If, while taking action toward your desires, you find yourself answering your phone, checking email, wasting a big bunch of hours on face book or online, texting, or doing laundry – it’s time to get focused!  There is a time and place for everything. What I know for sure is that going on facebook and comparing yourself to others is NOT going to manifest your desires. Be focused on one item at a time to increase your success.  Remaining focused allows you to be present in what you are doing.  Set a timer during a task and start to build your endurance for focus.  My sense is that you want to be present in all that you do – whether it is work or play.  By focusing when working, you will be able to fully play when you are playing, because you will not be thinking about what you haven’t done yet.
3. You Create the Mood – People who procrastinate, often do so because they tell themselves they just don’t feel like doing whatever it is that needs to get done.  This is a sure sign that they are out of alignment with what they desire most.  For example, if you desire to lose weight, but tell yourself you don’t feel like exercising, you are working against yourself.  You will begin to find all the justification needed for not exercising, instead of doing the exact thing that will make you feel good and help you achieve your goal.  We are the creator of our moods. Yes, some days our mood will be better than other days. However, when your mood is the problem, the key is to take full responsibility, change your attitude, and create the mood that will allow you to take positive action, moving you closer to your ultimate desires. Do yourself a big, wonderful favor – stop waiting for the mood and create it today!
4. This is the right time – Remind yourself that NOW is the right time.  Why? Because, your life is NOW – not later.  Many clients say “they are waiting for the right time to start,” but I have often found the truth to be that some sort of fear is preventing them from moving ahead. If you find yourself waiting for the fear to go away – chances are, you’ll be waiting a long time. Instead, get curious – and real – about what fears you may have. Understanding just why you are procrastinating will empower you, enabling you to put an end to it and get back on track.
5. Define Your top priorities for the day – I often hear clients say they procrastinate because they don’t know exactly how to start or what to do. I cannot stress enough the importance of getting clear on your top priorities and aligning your energy.  The truth is you have everything you need to get your life done. Take action and be productive, rather than procrastinate.  When I coach clients and help them to reconnect with their heart desires – they can instantly get clarity, define their priorities, and move right out of procrastination.  When you truly align with what you desire you will be amazed at how resourceful you become.

Big Question – Are you doing what you hate?

I really encourage you to answer this question, honestly. Many people procrastinate because they are doing something they hate to do.  In a job they don’t like, they create a business model they think they will like – only to find themselves unsuccessful in changing the fact that they hate what they are doing. To waste time in procrastination only makes you feel worse than you desire to feel or deserve to feel. To love what you do – you must do what you love!

Perhaps cleaning your house is something you absolutely dread. Instead of procrastinating and allowing your energy to be depleted, hire someone to clean house for you. This one decision will considerably free up your energy and allow you to create more love, joy, and money in your life. Perhaps outsourcing isn’t an option for you. If you must do the dreaded job yourself, then reward yourself for a job well done.  Pick a reward that makes you feel absolutely great – and give it to yourself after the task is completed.  It doesn’t have to cost you a thing.

The key is to spend more time in a feel good place, rather than beating yourself up for not getting things done – and wasting your precious time and energy in procrastination.

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Empowerment Expert and Master Certified Coach, Karen Fagan publishes her “Live in Your Brilliance” weekly ezine. If you want special tips to live bold, brilliant and rich in your life and business, you can sign up for a FREE subscription to Live in Your Brilliance at www.karenfagan.com. Want to see more secret tips? see Karen’s blog at Karen http://www.karenfagan.com/blog/