Exercise: “Benefits of Postponing Change”

What you will get out of this

After identifying the limiting beliefs that cause us to get in our way, we assume changing them will be a quick and easy process. However, while it is true that acknowledging our blockers is the first step to overcoming them, it may not be so straightforward in practice. Sometimes we procrastinate and resist changing the limiting beliefs that we know are blocking us. This is often because those very same limiting beliefs that get in the way of us achieving our fulfilling goals actually benefit us in some other way.

This exercise helps us identify how our limiting beliefs that we’re procrastinating on changing actually benefit us by satisfying an underlying want or need.

An example of this exercise at work

Step 1: Procrastination Station

Feel free to look back at your responses to Chapters 1 and 2.

Go to chapter 1

Go to chapter 2

Let's journey back to the desires and aspirations you unearthed in Chapter 1. How have you held yourself back from taking the needed steps towards those goals?

Then, let's revisit the less-than-helpful habits and perspectives you recognized in Chapter 2. How have you delayed the essential changes to break free from these?

Take a moment to jot down a few sentences about what or who you tend to point fingers at when you find yourself stuck.

Step 2: The Comfort of the Comfort Zone

For each case where you've delayed action or change, let's examine the benefits. Yes, you heard it right, the benefits. What perks do you get from remaining in this inertia? How does avoiding change feel comforting or rewarding?

For example, you might say, "By not attempting ____, I can remain on the sidelines, passing judgment on others while preserving the belief that I could do better. This way, I maintain the comfort of a risk-free space, away from the chance of discovering that I might not perform as well as those I critique."