Death by Procrastination

Summary: We all procrastinate on tasks for our own reasons. Here’s how to start getting over the procrastination habit.

You know and I know it…we all those tasks or “to do’s” we put off simply because we don’t like them.  Most of the time we are the go-getters, get it done, the go-to person, etc. However, there is always that one or two items we put off because…well…we don’t like them, go against our grain or we just despise. These tasks are on our list for reason – they need to be done.

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Procrastination is double edged sword as at times we need it to clearly find a solution and other times we put it off to postpone the inevitable. So what activities make us do this awful thing called procrastination:

• Putting a business plan in writing
• Formalizing a budget
• Dealing with the problem employee
• Asking for payments on overdue invoices
• Dealing with an unreasonable customer

You can add a few of your own.

So we can see where  our problem areas are, now we need to determine how to overcome it.

First we need to realize that this is mostly in our heads, in other words we usually create this big monster in our head to be worse than what it is.  Of course, we come to this realization on our own after we have completed the tasks.

How else can we get over the procrastination hump:

• Decide how you will get it done (in parts or as a whole)
• Schedule it – yes block time out on your calendar to do it
• Seek counsel – ask an expert to give you advice (in or out of your organization)
• Delegate – have someone else do it

Like all bad habits – procrastination can be kicked with time and effort.

How have you kicked the procrastination habit?