It’s too easy to put off action. This weekend I finally completed the mundain task of defrosting the freezer. As I mopped up the water from the floor I realised it was a metafor for life.

I have known for ages that it needed doing, everytime I opened the compartment I saw the ever growing ice sheet. But I put it off with excuses: there is too much food in it at present, maybe it doesn’t need doing yet, I’ve got other tasks to do, I’m too tired to focus on it, I’ll try do it next weekend, or it’ll be too messy to do right now.

Of course the last one is ironic. Everytime I promise myself I wouldn’t leave it so long. Which would mean there would be less ice so less clean up.

Another way to not do something is to use the word try. I can look back at the past weekend when I didn’t do what I said I’d try to do and say; well I did only comit to trying.

I now don’t use that word. It’s self defeating. Either I will do something when I say I will or I won’t vocalise the plan. It’s demotivating.

I know I should and could have ticked off the task, but didn’t. Another reason to feel bad about myself.

I also find I get less stress from people when they accept that they can trust me to keep my word. They don’t frequently ask for updates or continued assurances of my commitement. And it’s very nice to hear them say “You always do what you promise to do”.

Will I leave freezer maintenance so long next time? I hope not. That’s another word to avoid. Why hope when I know it’s in my hands to make the decision.

I’ll leave this to that great philosiphor, Yodo; do or do not, there is no try. I should put that on a t-shirt. Or will that cause a copywrite issue? I’m sure no one from LucasFilms or Disney will read this or see me wearing it.