Filing Deadline Looming Large? April 15, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Health & Wellness, Life Balance, People.comments closed
It’s April 15th ~ Tax Day!
For most Americans, that means either a grand sigh of relief that tax returns are prepared, signed, copied, and filed . . . or a mad scramble (aided by copious amounts of caffeine, gnashing of teeth, and nibbling of fingernails) to complete returns and get them in the mail (or e-filed) by the midnight deadline.
Late filers standing in lines at Post Offices across the country this evening share a common characteristic and trait with holiday shoppers who fill the malls on December 24th, desperately vying for attention from harried clerks assisting shoppers with last-minute gift purchases.
That characteristic?
Procrastination.
Unless we die (that other inevitable deadline) in the nick of time, we gain nothing and lose much when we attempt to postpone the inevitable.
Procrastination increases stress, causes cortisol levels to rise, robs our peace of mind, detracts from the quality of life, disrupts our sleep, and causes us to gain weight.
It’s like living life under a skull and crossbones, matey!
In contrast, when we start our day by tackling the most onerous task on our To Do List first, the effort energizes us and carries us through the rest of our day with increased ease.
Like a snowball rolling down hill, we gain momentum with each item faced front and center.
A snowball in motion stays in motion.
At the opposite extreme, when we choose to procrastinate, our underlying inertia invades other aspects of our life causing us to feel fatigued and ill at ease, with less energy and enthusiasm for life itself.
A snowball at rest stays at rest.
So, what are you waiting for?
Roll up your sleeves and get to work . . . crossing that “bear of a burden” off your list!
Quote: “Our Constitution is in actual operation. Everything appears to promise that it will last; but in this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.” ~ Benjamin Frankin (1789)
Spirit Lights The Way 