I think we try to make life too complicated.

Yesterday, Jim wrote about procrastination and it got me to thinking about the clutter we fill our lives with and how the need to have more "things" can really just be another form of procrastination.

Almost one year ago - this next week actually - I began a new health regime which includes walking. I started walking ¼ mile three days a week. Not much, I know, but it was all I could do at the time. Now I am walking 3-1/2 miles seven days a week, but I recently realized that, although I feel better, it is time to do more.

The dreaded sit-ups.

So I have been thinking about it. For about a month. And then I decided I needed one of those exercise balls. So I bought one. And it sat in the box on my desk for a week. I finally opened the box and read the instructions and then walked away. Eventually, I began the process of manually pumping up this big blue ball to a width of 25 inches. It took three days. My biceps are markedly improved, by the way.

So finally the ball is ready for use. I sit on it and in true Dick Van Dyke slap stick fashion, proceed to roll right off onto the floor.

As I lay there, feeling foolish, I realize that I could just lie there on the floor and do sit ups - like we learned in gym class. I didn't - but I thought about it.

I pondered my dilemma and realized that I had allowed the need for "things" - a big blue ball, which would surely be the answer to finally getting rid of the baby fat I'd gained when having children ten years ago, to stall my progress. It was a complex way to procrastinate.

So bring it around to business.

How often do we procrastinate in our business by saying that "we'll get started on that as soon as we create an excel spreadsheet to support our efforts, or as soon as we take a class in design for the perfect direct mail piece, or as soon as we buy the new Verizon Chocolate hand-held toy?"

Let's just eat a piece of dove dark chocolate, pick up the phone and take some action. What's holding you back from just doing it?

Know anyone who could use a big blue ball?