Fred Smith writes as a professional procrastinator who has learned to get it done. By Fred Smith There is a professional society in which I could go far if I ever got around to joining.. It is a very large, recognized group. I have qualified but not affiliated… "one day I will." It is the professional procrastinators. I've hesitated to write about procrastination. I am plagued with it daily. I keep waiting to make that call or write that letter. "I know I should do a better job of planning, and I will… next year." Or, "I really do need to get moving on my personal development plan before it is too late, but on the other hand." Someday I'm going to figure out why perfectly capable individuals procrastinate. Maybe figuring it out will salve my conscience while I delay the simple things that I can and should do. I see several reasons for procrastination. I will touch briefly on them. 1) resentment of authority — those too sensitive to authority may think of discipline as tyranny rather than the road to freedom. Actually, self-discipline is the only safe escape from outside authority. 2) fear — often a very conscientious person procrastinates out of fear of not being able to perform as well as he wants to. Fear makes waiting a very real temptation. By waiting, we hope we can do better. Waiting to do better certainly can't be criticized we reason, so we wait. 3) desire to avoid judgment and evaluation - opening up an idea or project to evaluation is often disconcerting, so we avoid through delay. 4)potential versus reality — often in a creative person's mind is the fear that the idea or concept may not be as good in reality as in the abstract. Like a wild rose, the bud may be prettier than the full-blown flower. 5)privacy — often the procrastinator is a very private person. When dealing with an idea it is like a baby in the mother's womb. To bring it forth it to turn loose of it and see it handled, even changed, by others. It becomes public, no longer private. The fear of dilution supports procrastination.

I learned about a great app today called Searchie. It has AI built into it and it would be very valuable for every advisor. It will take your recorded Zoom meetings and transcribe them so you can send to your prospects as a follow up for each appointment. Check it out. Searchie

With my change in work from full time to semi retired I can sometimes miss the joy of being a grandfather and having the time to be Pappa Bear to my 2 grandsons for worry over not working full time. Being Pappa Bear is a great blessing and something I will not get a second chance to do. I am truly having a fun day with my older grandson at the Park after a brief visit with my daughter and my younger grandson. Being a Managing Director with Redwood Tax Specialists gives me great freedom and while it is a community with standards and expectations it does not bring the stress and strife past experiences held. I like to work at my own pace and on larger more complex situations. Meeting up with Redwood was a great blessing for me!

I wrote this article that I have on social media. Feel free to use it if you have a place for it in your practice.

My ads are set to start running tomorrow. I'll update the group on my progress as things unfold. Questions and comments are welcome.