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When we procrastinate, we can’t be great | Laura Bruce | TEDxInverness


thousands of snowflakes gently floating

thousands of snowflakes gently floating to the ground imagine millions named

to the ground imagine millions named

to the ground imagine millions named billions of snowflakes all around the

billions of snowflakes all around the

billions of snowflakes all around the world and fall each winter every one of

world and fall each winter every one of

world and fall each winter every one of them unique every one a one-off heavy

them unique every one a one-off heavy

them unique every one a one-off heavy one is a one-of-a-kind now think about

one is a one-of-a-kind now think about

one is a one-of-a-kind now think about the billions of people around the world

the billions of people around the world

the billions of people around the world all the people who live here now all the

all the people who live here now all the

all the people who live here now all the people who ever lived here before and

people who ever lived here before and

people who ever lived here before and the billions of people who will inhabit

the billions of people who will inhabit

the billions of people who will inhabit this beautiful planet in the future

this beautiful planet in the future

this beautiful planet in the future there’s only one you all those billions

there’s only one you all those billions

there’s only one you all those billions of people one in a trillion new it’s

of people one in a trillion new it’s

of people one in a trillion new it’s pretty

pretty

pretty the odds are quite impressive like a

the odds are quite impressive like a

the odds are quite impressive like a snowflake you floated down your purpose

snowflake you floated down your purpose

snowflake you floated down your purpose was to enrich the world that’s it

was to enrich the world that’s it

was to enrich the world that’s it that’s all you’re meant to do but how

that’s all you’re meant to do but how

that’s all you’re meant to do but how would you do it you owe it to yourself

would you do it you owe it to yourself

would you do it you owe it to yourself and to all of us to discover that gift

and to all of us to discover that gift

and to all of us to discover that gift that only you are able to make your here

that only you are able to make your here

that only you are able to make your here great but are you are you making the

great but are you are you making the

great but are you are you making the most of that gift

most of that gift

most of that gift are you shortchanging yourself are you

are you shortchanging yourself are you

are you shortchanging yourself are you sabotaging your efforts with last-minute

sabotaging your efforts with last-minute

sabotaging your efforts with last-minute dashes i’m giving yourself the time the

dashes i’m giving yourself the time the

dashes i’m giving yourself the time the opportunity to do a good job on the

opportunity to do a good job on the

opportunity to do a good job on the tasks that actually matter

procrastination is bad but not for the

procrastination is bad but not for the reasons we normally think I believe

reasons we normally think I believe

reasons we normally think I believe procrastination is bad because it’s a

procrastination is bad because it’s a

procrastination is bad because it’s a thief you can rob you of your dreams

thief you can rob you of your dreams

thief you can rob you of your dreams worse it involves the world and all of

worse it involves the world and all of

worse it involves the world and all of us of that contribution that you will

us of that contribution that you will

us of that contribution that you will own are here to make some people they’re

own are here to make some people they’re

own are here to make some people they’re born they seem to just know musicians

born they seem to just know musicians

born they seem to just know musicians some artists entrepreneurs scientists

some artists entrepreneurs scientists

some artists entrepreneurs scientists some people just seem to arrive on this

some people just seem to arrive on this

some people just seem to arrive on this planet knowing what it is they’re meant

planet knowing what it is they’re meant

planet knowing what it is they’re meant to do and they pursue it with a laser

to do and they pursue it with a laser

to do and they pursue it with a laser focus they spend the time and they

focus they spend the time and they

focus they spend the time and they achieve greatness

achieve greatness

achieve greatness rest of us we bumble along we have an

rest of us we bumble along we have an

rest of us we bumble along we have an epiphany here a little glimmer of

epiphany here a little glimmer of

epiphany here a little glimmer of greatness there a spark of talent over

greatness there a spark of talent over

greatness there a spark of talent over here but never quite feeling that we

here but never quite feeling that we

here but never quite feeling that we found our mission are you on your

found our mission are you on your

found our mission are you on your journey or are you just driving around

journey or are you just driving around

journey or are you just driving around the block looking for somewhere to park

the block looking for somewhere to park

the block looking for somewhere to park a crime awfulness PD James she knew from

a crime awfulness PD James she knew from

a crime awfulness PD James she knew from an early age she wanted to write she had

an early age she wanted to write she had

an early age she wanted to write she had to forgo University her father didn’t

to forgo University her father didn’t

to forgo University her father didn’t think post-secondary education was a

think post-secondary education was a

think post-secondary education was a worthwhile endeavor for a girl from the

worthwhile endeavor for a girl from the

worthwhile endeavor for a girl from the age of 16 she had to work and will

age of 16 she had to work and will

age of 16 she had to work and will support her family

support her family

support her family but she never gave up that dream of

but she never gave up that dream of

but she never gave up that dream of writing and in her mid-30s married with

writing and in her mid-30s married with

writing and in her mid-30s married with two children James started to write she

two children James started to write she

two children James started to write she would get up early and write for two

would get up early and write for two

would get up early and write for two hours every morning before she went to

hours every morning before she went to

hours every morning before she went to work

what is she in chosen to sleep

what is she in chosen to sleep there’d be no Adam dog leash and we

there’d be no Adam dog leash and we

there’d be no Adam dog leash and we would all be poorer for it but you’re

would all be poorer for it but you’re

would all be poorer for it but you’re not meant to be PD James you’ve got your

not meant to be PD James you’ve got your

not meant to be PD James you’ve got your own gift you’re here to be awesome

own gift you’re here to be awesome

own gift you’re here to be awesome awesome

awesome

awesome whether that means being a brilliant

whether that means being a brilliant

whether that means being a brilliant cake baker or a builder or mechanic or a

cake baker or a builder or mechanic or a

cake baker or a builder or mechanic or a teacher it’s your duty to discover and

teacher it’s your duty to discover and

teacher it’s your duty to discover and nurture your talent

nurture your talent

nurture your talent but when you procrastinate you can’t be

but when you procrastinate you can’t be

but when you procrastinate you can’t be great I don’t want to find myself the

great I don’t want to find myself the

great I don’t want to find myself the end of my life thinking was that it I

want to find out that special way I

want to find out that special way I meant to enrich the world I’m determined

meant to enrich the world I’m determined

meant to enrich the world I’m determined but I have a confession to make i

procrastinate and no ordinary

procrastinate and no ordinary procrastination for me I have taken

procrastination for me I have taken

procrastination for me I have taken procrastination to an elite level in

procrastination to an elite level in

procrastination to an elite level in fact if you check you will discover I

fact if you check you will discover I

fact if you check you will discover I put the procrastination the thing is I

put the procrastination the thing is I

put the procrastination the thing is I have no trouble taking the time to help

have no trouble taking the time to help

have no trouble taking the time to help other people to achieve their dreams the

other people to achieve their dreams the

other people to achieve their dreams the challenge is to help myself when there’s

challenge is to help myself when there’s

challenge is to help myself when there’s something that has to do with my own

something that has to do with my own

something that has to do with my own goals my own ambitions

goals my own ambitions

goals my own ambitions I have trouble just sitting down to

I have trouble just sitting down to

I have trouble just sitting down to focus to spend the time as the Athletics

focus to spend the time as the Athletics

focus to spend the time as the Athletics wear company says to just do it like

wear company says to just do it like

wear company says to just do it like this TED talk I’ve been working on it

this TED talk I’ve been working on it

this TED talk I’ve been working on it for months coming up with ideas

for months coming up with ideas

for months coming up with ideas visualizing things making notes writing

visualizing things making notes writing

visualizing things making notes writing down post-it notes inspiration struck or

down post-it notes inspiration struck or

down post-it notes inspiration struck or on the back of a grocery receipt if I

on the back of a grocery receipt if I

on the back of a grocery receipt if I wasn’t at home it’s been circulating in

wasn’t at home it’s been circulating in

wasn’t at home it’s been circulating in my head for months but to sit down and

my head for months but to sit down and

my head for months but to sit down and actually pull all those pieces together

actually pull all those pieces together

actually pull all those pieces together into a coherent whole that was a task

not just a task a daunting task a

not just a task a daunting task a gargantuan task and that task over which

gargantuan task and that task over which

gargantuan task and that task over which I procrastinated when you find yourself

I procrastinated when you find yourself

I procrastinated when you find yourself putting something off that actually

putting something off that actually

putting something off that actually matters is it because you you don’t

matters is it because you you don’t

matters is it because you you don’t think it’s worth the time or is it

think it’s worth the time or is it

think it’s worth the time or is it because it’s so worth the time it’s so

because it’s so worth the time it’s so

because it’s so worth the time it’s so important that achieving it might

important that achieving it might

important that achieving it might actually shake up your life might change

actually shake up your life might change

actually shake up your life might change what’s expected of you what might it

what’s expected of you what might it

what’s expected of you what might it require you to do here’s the paradox the

require you to do here’s the paradox the

require you to do here’s the paradox the very thing you procrastinate over may

very thing you procrastinate over may

very thing you procrastinate over may actually hold the key to your greatness

actually hold the key to your greatness

actually hold the key to your greatness in my case something happened recently

in my case something happened recently

in my case something happened recently that made me think maybe it’s time to

that made me think maybe it’s time to

that made me think maybe it’s time to stop procrastinating last year one of my

stop procrastinating last year one of my

stop procrastinating last year one of my friends stopped barn burn I used to rope

friends stopped barn burn I used to rope

friends stopped barn burn I used to rope together part of a crew of eight rowers

together part of a crew of eight rowers

together part of a crew of eight rowers veteran rowers although we were together

veteran rowers although we were together

veteran rowers although we were together four times a week for two years I didn’t

four times a week for two years I didn’t

four times a week for two years I didn’t actually know that much about her I knew

actually know that much about her I knew

actually know that much about her I knew she had a PhD and she taught community

she had a PhD and she taught community

she had a PhD and she taught community development something like that

development something like that

development something like that a Queen’s University of Belfast the

a Queen’s University of Belfast the

a Queen’s University of Belfast the eulogy at Barbara’s funeral it astounded

eulogy at Barbara’s funeral it astounded

eulogy at Barbara’s funeral it astounded me she was only four years older than me

me she was only four years older than me

me she was only four years older than me but the list of accomplishments the

but the list of accomplishments the

but the list of accomplishments the range of achievements it astounded me

range of achievements it astounded me

range of achievements it astounded me among them she had established a college

among them she had established a college

among them she had established a college a political party and helped negotiate a

a political party and helped negotiate a

a political party and helped negotiate a Good Friday Agreement little Barbara

Good Friday Agreement little Barbara

Good Friday Agreement little Barbara Road wish I’d heard that motivated me

Road wish I’d heard that motivated me

Road wish I’d heard that motivated me Barbara inspired me I have to admit my

Barbara inspired me I have to admit my

Barbara inspired me I have to admit my immediate reaction was I have achieved

immediate reaction was I have achieved

immediate reaction was I have achieved nothing and it was useful to realize to

nothing and it was useful to realize to

nothing and it was useful to realize to think what are the things I want to do

think what are the things I want to do

think what are the things I want to do Barbara’s death inspired me but it also

Barbara’s death inspired me but it also

Barbara’s death inspired me but it also motivated me I didn’t actually have all

motivated me I didn’t actually have all

motivated me I didn’t actually have all the time in the world

the time in the world

the time in the world if there were things I wanted to do I’d

if there were things I wanted to do I’d

if there were things I wanted to do I’d better start doing them it made me

better start doing them it made me

better start doing them it made me realize I didn’t need to think about

realize I didn’t need to think about

realize I didn’t need to think about what other people thought anymore it was

what other people thought anymore it was

what other people thought anymore it was time to simply start doing these things

time to simply start doing these things

time to simply start doing these things so I tried three new things and they

so I tried three new things and they

so I tried three new things and they have been amazing public speaking

have been amazing public speaking

have been amazing public speaking writing and radio public speaking I’m

writing and radio public speaking I’m

writing and radio public speaking I’m working on my skills at Toastmasters led

working on my skills at Toastmasters led

working on my skills at Toastmasters led to doing workshops and other kinds of

to doing workshops and other kinds of

to doing workshops and other kinds of things which is been brilliant writing

things which is been brilliant writing

things which is been brilliant writing that first article led to being

that first article led to being

that first article led to being published but the most dramatic impact

published but the most dramatic impact

published but the most dramatic impact of all was the radio show hosting that

of all was the radio show hosting that

of all was the radio show hosting that show gave me the confidence to try

show gave me the confidence to try

show gave me the confidence to try something I’d wanted to do for years but

something I’d wanted to do for years but

something I’d wanted to do for years but I never had the constitute stand-up

I never had the constitute stand-up

I never had the constitute stand-up comedy how does our host mentioned last

comedy how does our host mentioned last

comedy how does our host mentioned last Friday night I made my stand-up debut

naturally mistakes for I so I gave

naturally mistakes for I so I gave myself the greatest chance of success

myself the greatest chance of success

myself the greatest chance of success I spent the time to do it right

writing and rewriting my routine

writing and rewriting my routine discarding the weak material and

discarding the weak material and

discarding the weak material and practicing practicing practicing

practicing practicing practicing

practicing practicing practicing practicing when it came time to step

practicing when it came time to step

practicing when it came time to step onto that stage of course I was nervous

onto that stage of course I was nervous

onto that stage of course I was nervous it was petrified but I was ready and

it was petrified but I was ready and

it was petrified but I was ready and like that a dream came true I’m still

like that a dream came true I’m still

like that a dream came true I’m still not quite sure what my precise gift is

not quite sure what my precise gift is

not quite sure what my precise gift is to give the world but these three new

to give the world but these three new

to give the world but these three new things they’ve given me a glimpse I

things they’ve given me a glimpse I

things they’ve given me a glimpse I battled procrastination I momentarily I

battled procrastination I momentarily I

battled procrastination I momentarily I got the upper hand

like an evangelist now I want to spread

like an evangelist now I want to spread the word I want you to feel that power

the word I want you to feel that power

the word I want you to feel that power that joy that potency that comes from

that joy that potency that comes from

that joy that potency that comes from doing something great but if you

doing something great but if you

doing something great but if you procrastinate you can’t be great we’re

procrastinate you can’t be great we’re

procrastinate you can’t be great we’re all busy we all get the same 1440

all busy we all get the same 1440

all busy we all get the same 1440 minutes every day if you want to find

minutes every day if you want to find

minutes every day if you want to find time for something that matters

time for something that matters

time for something that matters something’s gotta give a few years ago

something’s gotta give a few years ago

something’s gotta give a few years ago many of you will remember Delia Smith

many of you will remember Delia Smith

many of you will remember Delia Smith shocked the world with her new cookbook

shocked the world with her new cookbook

shocked the world with her new cookbook the title cheat her message use

the title cheat her message use

the title cheat her message use ready-made ingredients to save time and

ready-made ingredients to save time and

ready-made ingredients to save time and still produce healthy nutritious meals

Waterstone said this cookbook sold more

Waterstone said this cookbook sold more editions in any cookbook they’d ever

editions in any cookbook they’d ever

editions in any cookbook they’d ever sold

sold

sold it was clear Delia had struck a chord it

it was clear Delia had struck a chord it

it was clear Delia had struck a chord it resonated with millions of people she

resonated with millions of people she

resonated with millions of people she recognized that you don’t have to slave

recognized that you don’t have to slave

recognized that you don’t have to slave away all day to feed your family and

away all day to feed your family and

away all day to feed your family and that sacrifice and suffering are not the

that sacrifice and suffering are not the

that sacrifice and suffering are not the two main ingredients in a meal for your

two main ingredients in a meal for your

two main ingredients in a meal for your family and so I’d like to encourage you

family and so I’d like to encourage you

family and so I’d like to encourage you to cheat to take shortcuts to cut

to cheat to take shortcuts to cut

to cheat to take shortcuts to cut corners to Hoover just the center of the

corners to Hoover just the center of the

corners to Hoover just the center of the room don’t go into the corners every

room don’t go into the corners every

room don’t go into the corners every time don’t go under the furniture take

time don’t go under the furniture take

time don’t go under the furniture take it easy take shortcuts and use the time

it easy take shortcuts and use the time

it easy take shortcuts and use the time that you save to do something that

that you save to do something that

that you save to do something that actually matters to you do your children

actually matters to you do your children

actually matters to you do your children care if they live in a spotless house

care if they live in a spotless house

care if they live in a spotless house but would they rather have a mother who

but would they rather have a mother who

but would they rather have a mother who had a life that excited her a passion

had a life that excited her a passion

had a life that excited her a passion that she pursued something to focus on

that she pursued something to focus on

that she pursued something to focus on other than her children Barbara’s car

other than her children Barbara’s car

other than her children Barbara’s car why it’s filthy

why it’s filthy

why it’s filthy not the outside so much the rain in

not the outside so much the rain in

not the outside so much the rain in Belfast took care of that but the inside

Belfast took care of that but the inside

Belfast took care of that but the inside between the crisp packets and the

between the crisp packets and the

between the crisp packets and the notebooks and the umbrellas and the bits

notebooks and the umbrellas and the bits

notebooks and the umbrellas and the bits of paper you didn’t know where to put

of paper you didn’t know where to put

of paper you didn’t know where to put your feet her car may have been a mess

your feet her car may have been a mess

your feet her car may have been a mess but it’s obvious Barbara made her mark

but it’s obvious Barbara made her mark

but it’s obvious Barbara made her mark I’m sure her children are very proud of

I’m sure her children are very proud of

I’m sure her children are very proud of her PD James caught up early to write

her PD James caught up early to write

her PD James caught up early to write she published 19 novels and dozens of

she published 19 novels and dozens of

she published 19 novels and dozens of other works Delia Smith her boyfriend

other works Delia Smith her boyfriend

other works Delia Smith her boyfriend when she was a teenager used to

when she was a teenager used to

when she was a teenager used to compliment her cooking that encouraged

compliment her cooking that encouraged

compliment her cooking that encouraged her to develop that time

her to develop that time

her to develop that time I know she’s made a career of cooking

I know she’s made a career of cooking

I know she’s made a career of cooking moreover she’s inspired millions of

moreover she’s inspired millions of

moreover she’s inspired millions of people to become Finn in the kitchen

people to become Finn in the kitchen

people to become Finn in the kitchen last Friday night I made my stand-up

last Friday night I made my stand-up

last Friday night I made my stand-up debut I got the biggest kick you could

debut I got the biggest kick you could

debut I got the biggest kick you could imagine I could tell you it was a hell

imagine I could tell you it was a hell

imagine I could tell you it was a hell of a lot better than doing laundry

of a lot better than doing laundry

of a lot better than doing laundry and I enjoy doing laundry take my advice

and I enjoy doing laundry take my advice

and I enjoy doing laundry take my advice neglect the housework use that time to

neglect the housework use that time to

neglect the housework use that time to explore something new you may find a

explore something new you may find a

explore something new you may find a part of you

part of you

part of you sparks to life amateur dramatics

sparks to life amateur dramatics

sparks to life amateur dramatics photography knitting tape decorating

photography knitting tape decorating

photography knitting tape decorating hell walking you don’t know where it

hell walking you don’t know where it

hell walking you don’t know where it will lead but put in the effort put in

will lead but put in the effort put in

will lead but put in the effort put in the time you may be amazed how great you

the time you may be amazed how great you

the time you may be amazed how great you can be and don’t wait for it to start

can be and don’t wait for it to start

can be and don’t wait for it to start snowing to remember how special you are

snowing to remember how special you are

snowing to remember how special you are one-in-a-trillion you and don’t wait for

one-in-a-trillion you and don’t wait for

one-in-a-trillion you and don’t wait for your gift to expire

your gift to expire

your gift to expire don’t let procrastination rob you and

don’t let procrastination rob you and

don’t let procrastination rob you and all of us of your special gift but one

all of us of your special gift but one

all of us of your special gift but one thing that you alone are here to

thing that you alone are here to

thing that you alone are here to contribute when you procrastinate you

contribute when you procrastinate you

contribute when you procrastinate you can’t be great and you’re here to be

can’t be great and you’re here to be

can’t be great and you’re here to be great

”

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