Procrastinating on a rock

I have a 2025 goal to progress towards financial independence and one of my rocks is to explore additional income streams. My word for the year is connection.

I’ve had so much fun coming up with ideas in the areas I enjoy and could make money from. An idea I’m running with is email marketing for small businesses in the health and wellness space. I have some experience with this already, and have found a couple of courses that would support my development as a writer. I love writing and, if I had the money, I’d sign up to the courses immediately because they sound exciting and relevant (both to my current job and possible future side-hustle). The thing is I don’t have the money to hand and would need to save for a couple of months to make it work comfortably.

My brain’s offering thoughts about them not being worth saving for, that there’s better use for that money, that it’s reckless to spend money just for enjoyment without knowing if it’ll go anywhere (i.e. there should be a return for that kind of investment). I can see that I’m procrastinating so am coming to AAC to keep the ball rolling.

UM
C: writing courses cost $1,500
T: It’s not ok to spend that kind of money with no guarantee of a return
F: Irresponsible
S: shrink, close, tight
A: Don’t make a plan to save for the course, don’t book it, don’t talk about it to my partner, assume he would not support me, find other reasons why this whole idea is stupid, think about it a lot but don’t take action
R: Not sure here – maybe that I don’t take responsibility for getting what I want, or exploring it fully

I wrote an intentional model with the T: it is ok to spend money for enjoyment, but I wasn’t convinced. I’d love your help to work through this.

 

 

Answer:

Thank you so much for the title you picked, it gives such a lovely visual! What picture does your mind paint of someone procrastinating on a rock!?

Why do you think your brain wants to put this course between you and your goal of getting paid to write emails?

Why is the cost the easiest reason not to do it? See if you notice any common patterns coming up in this experience.

Try making the obstacle the goal.

C: new income streams

T:

F:

A:

R: I make $1500 to pay for writing course by x date

What do you think?  On a personal note-there was a course I wanted to take a few years ago to help me be a better coach for my grief clients. I saw the course and didn’t have the cash on hand for it. I didn’t want to miss out but I also wanted to pay for it myself. So I waited and I worked and last spring I did the course! It worked out perfectly and I got to be doubly proud of myself. Now, you know you best, but just watch for any lies your brain is telling you about this course, your opportunities and the timing. It’s always going to be perfect.