Overcoming Procrastination

I believe there are only 3 reasons for procrastination:

1, I don’t want to do it

2. I’m not ready to do it

3. There’s a better way to do it.

Procrastination gets a really bad rap, but I believe (like everything) it has a positive side. So if you find yourself procrastinating…check why you’re putting off whatever it is you’re putting off. Do you want to do it? If the answer’s no is there another way to get it done? Can someone else do it? Does it even need to be done? If there’s no other way, it has to be done and you have to do it…make it fun! For example, when I do my accounts, I put my favourite music on the stereo and turn it up LOUD then just get on with it for half an hour or so. i don’t try to do it all at once, I do it in bite size chunks. And I heard this tip for gettting your filing done if you watch CSI Miami: everytime David Caruso touches his sunglasses, file a piece of paper. It’ll all be done in minutes!

If you’re not ready, what’s the next step? I had a client who procrastinated a piece of homework I’d set – when asked, he said he needed a pad to do it. It wasn’t the homework assignment that was the problem, he was just missing a bit of kit! Easy. Everytime I redo my website I procrastinate until the mental stew has marinated enough that I actually know what to do. By allowing myself to ‘not be ready’, I save myself hours of unnecessary work that I will just do again and again.

And lastly, is there a better way? I had a client who was procrastinating making some sales calls. When asked if there were a better way, it emerged that 3 of the 50 people he needed to call hated being sold to by telephone. So, for those 3 there was a much better way – go and see them! The other 47 calls were done within 24 hours, and appointments set up to see the other 3. A classic example of a teeny obstacle getting in the way of a big job.

So, when you find yourself procrastinating, see it as a positive thing – you get to find out if you really want to do this, if you need something to be ready to do it, or if there’s a much better way.

I just thought of a 4th reason…and this is the one that gets me every time – I’m trying to take step 98 before step 1 OR I don’t know what to do next and I need to chunk it down to a baby-step. So there’s another one for you – if you DO want to do it, and you’re ready, and there isn’t a better way…what’s the next baby step?

Oh, and my last tip for procrastination: NEVER EVER use it as a stick to beat yourself with. Trust yourself – you are always doing your best in every moment (even when it seems like you’re not!). Procrastination does not have to be synonimous with ‘pain’.

Love

Donna.x

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