How to Deal with Procrastination and Fear

Do you Struggle with Procastination?

Something every entrepreneur deals with is procrastination and the fear of starting.

We procrastinate on getting certain tasks done that you know you need to do.

We don’t start at all because we’re scared it won’t work out, how we may look or just overwhelmed.

In today’s issue of “Better than Rubies”, we go over how the Lord wants us to deal with these feelings and what you can do today to overcome them.

TL;DR

How to Deal with Procrastination and Fear

• Just Start: Stop waiting for perfect conditions; take action despite uncertainties. Overthinking and fear hinders progress. 

• Trust in the Lord: Through the spirit of God, he equips us with power, love, and self-discipline. Reject fear and procrastination, and move forward with faith and boldness.

• Realize God is With Us: Isaiah 41:10 reassures us, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Trust in His presence and support to overcome fear.

• Seek Him: Present your requests to God with prayer and thanksgiving as stated in Philippians 4:6-7. Trust that His plan will prevail, providing peace and reducing anxiety.

• Move Forward: Overcome procrastination by trusting in God’s guidance. Seek His wisdom daily and step out in faith, knowing He is with you every step of the way.

The Big Idea: How to Deal with Procrastination and Fear

Just Start:

Oftentimes, when we are starting something new we can psych ourselves out.

We start working on something we are so excited about but then when it gets time to actually put it out in the world, we don’t.

We sit, we ponder and think of every scenario of how it could go wrong. 

How people will view us differently. 

How they might say negative things about us and our business. 

So, we tell ourselves to wait until the “perfect time” to put it out there and eventually just never do.

When reading Ecclesiastes 11:4, King Soloman shares with us the metaphor of watching the wind and looking at the clouds.

This represents waiting for perfect conditions to take action.

What we need to realize is that the right moment may never come. 

Thinking of every scenario and worrying about people’s opinions prevents progress and productivity.

As entrepreneurs, we have signed up for risk and we need to take actions despite there being uncertainties.

In these moments we need to…

Trust in the Lord:

Because if we have the spirit of God, we are equipped with power, love and self-discipline as stated in 2 Timothy 1:7.

Power refers to the ability to take bold actions

Love ensures that actions are taken with care and compassion

Self-discipline provides the perseverance and focus needed to stay on course.

Embracing this spirit means rejecting fear and procrastination, confidently stepping forward in faith and action.

We can do that if we…

Realize God is With us:

God has promised us that he will be with us and will support us.

We are not alone on this journey of entrepreneurship and life.

In Isaiah 41:10, God reminds and assures Israel that he is with them and that he will strengthen them and help them.

We can have confidence that promise extends to all of the believers of Christ.

We do not have to be fearful and can cast our anxieties on him

For he is with us as he has promised.

We can trust in him and his commitment to uphold us.

Understanding that, we should feel encouraged to overcome procrastination and step out in faith.

Faith that he will be there with us every step of the way when we…

Seek Him:

For when we seek him through prayer and ask him for the guidance, strength and courage that we need, he will provide.

This will allow you to be at peace with everything you are going through.

Because you know that the results of everything you were worrying about is not in your hands anymore.

They are in his.

His plan will always prevail and that should give you peace.

Whatever the result is, you know the Lord wants the best for you.

Even if the result isn’t what you wanted or expected.

We don’t need to be anxious as stated in Philippians 4:6-7.

Stay in prayer and petition for what you may need help with.

Be thankful for the situation you are in and understand he is working.

You may not see how or understand it but he is working for your good.

Procrastination and fear can hold us back from getting to where we need to get to.

The Lord wants us to step out in faith and use us to glorify him.

Seek his guidance daily and trust that he is with you.

Trust that everything will work out in the way it’s supposed to according to his plan.

If we can wrap our minds around that, we don’t have to be fearful or procrastinate any longer.

We can move forward and receive what he wants us to receive.

Reflections and Actions

• Reflect: What practical steps can I take today to move forward, even in the face of uncertainty?

• Reflect: What fears are preventing me from fully trusting in God's promise to strengthen and help me?

• Reflect: What practical steps can I take to reinforce my trust in God's protection and guidance?

• Reflect: How can I incorporate prayer and thanksgiving into my daily routine to combat anxiety and fear in my business?

• Action Step: Write down areas where fear is impacting your business decisions. Pray specifically for God to replace fear with His spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.

Nuggets of Wisdom

Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NIV): "Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap."

2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV): "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV): "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Psalm 56:3-4 (NIV): "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"

Christian Brand of the Week: Three Nails

Authentic Storytelling:

Derek Dahl’s personal story of overcoming financial hardships and relying on faith to build the brand adds authenticity and relatability. Sharing this narrative in marketing campaigns created a deep emotional connection with the audience that also displayed his faith in the Lord.

Strong Brand Identity:

The brand’s strong Christian identity, inspired by biblical principles like Matthew 6:33, resonated deeply with their target market, fostering loyalty and a sense of community among customers.

Faith-Driven Purpose:

Derek’s faith and commitment to God's purpose for his life were central to Three Nails’ creation and growth. His reliance on biblical principles and prayer provided direction and resilience during challenging times.

High-Quality, Niche Product:

Three Nails filled a market gap by offering premium Christian activewear. The focus on high-quality products with a unique Christian message resonated with consumers, driving brand loyalty and growth.

Key Takeaways:

Target a Specific Niche Market: Focus on identifying and catering to a well-defined audience whose values align with your brand’s message, ensuring a strong and loyal customer base.

Invest in Learning and Adapting Marketing Strategies: Master platforms like Facebook ads and create engaging content to reach and convert potential customers effectively.

Share Authentic Stories and Build Community: Utilize the founder’s journey and inspirational messaging to create an emotional connection with your audience, fostering trust and loyalty.

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