Before You Procrastinate - Read This!

It's probably in the bottom of your in-box and definitely in the back of your mind. There's at least one project lurking out there that you've been putting off. But it's 4:00PM on Friday and you'll just worry about it next week. Problem is, you'll probably worry about it during your cherished weekend and until you finally do something about it.

You're smart and ambitious and know this strategy usually backfires, so why do you do this to yourself, time and again? Well, there is a short-term payoff - you avoid doing something you don't want to do and focus on something more fun. If only you were free from that inner voice that plagues you saying "Hey, you better get that done!"

So, how do you stop procrastination from creeping in and grabbing hold of you and your career?

1.Keep Your Eyes On The Prize: The best way to get started on a project and keep moving forward is to keep your reasons for doing it top of mind. For example, let's say you want to become a better presenter and there's a series of workshops that you know would help. You've been putting it off because you're focusing on all the things that make it a chore: you'll have to drive out of your way; they'll be work involved; you'd rather be watching CSI or doing something else that's more fun. Focus on the reasons why you thought you should do it in the first place. Being a better presenter will give you more of the types of opportunities that are important to you. By keeping that thought in your head, it will make it easier for you to move forward.

2.Break It Into Bite-Sized Pieces: Many people procrastinate because they see the project in its totality and believe it will take too long. A better approach to take is to break down your goal into manageable action items. Paraphrasing David Allen in "Getting Things Done", you can't do a project -- you can only do the next action. By developing an action plan, it will keep you focused on what the next step is and make completing your project seem more doable.

3.Shoot For Good, Not Perfect: Sometimes we set the standards unreasonably high, which prevents us from even wanting to start. The pressure we put on ourselves can result in stagnation. Balance your desire for perfection with the need to get things done. Does it really have to be perfect to create value?

4.Do It In Spite Of Your Mood: Don't wait until you are "in the mood" to work on your project, because the right mood may never come. Action drives motivation and can feed your desire to continue. Even if you are not in the best mood, any effort you make will result in progress. As long as you keep working on it, it will get done.

5."Diss" Distractions: Let people know in advance that you are not available during the time you're working on your project. Turn off your cell phone, don't answer emails and don't go on YouTube. When you're doing something that you've been putting off, it's especially easy to get distracted. Remove all those distractions that will take you off point.

As the dentist says "Ignore your teeth and they'll go away." While your projects won't go away, avoiding them will create a major toothache. You know what it feels like to live with the burden of procrastination. See for yourself how good it feels on the other side.

Fred & Gladys

Whelan Stone
www.whelanstone.com

Comments

[marialisar]

Great list! I have a friend that I plan to forward this to!

[rubicon59]

That's a nice practical list. I like the "shoot for the good" part - that's works better for me than striving for perfection. Please keep up the good ideas.

[Adil]

Thank you for these great advices. It makes me feel I want to stand up and start working on my To Do list.

[Fred Whelan and Gladys Stone - Huffpost Blogger]

Glad you're feeing motivated!

Good luck with your list.

[drjmac]

This one is good for me. I especially like breaking things up into smaller steps, that feels like it will help immediately. Thanks.

[Fred Whelan and Gladys Stone - Huffpost Blogger]

It's amazing how small steps can lead to big changes. Glad you found it helpful.

[drmorganjensen]

Reminds me of what I need to be doing. I especially like #4 - gotta keep that in mind next time I want to fluff something off.

[Fred Whelan and Gladys Stone - Huffpost Blogger]

Another tip for doing something when you're not in the mood is to work for shorter periods of time. That can make it seem more doable.

[deannaglory]

Great advice! I'll get right on it. Thanks, Deanna

[Fred Whelan and Gladys Stone - Huffpost Blogger]

Glad it helped you get started!

[deannaglory]

Great advice. I'll do it! Thanks, Deanna