By Patricia Young
Do you ever procrastinate? Procrastination is a common tendency and we all have given in at some point in our lives.
Usually and ironically, the things that we tend to put off are, often, the most important in our business and personal lives, and we frequently come up with excuses to justify our behavior. In order to step out of that habit, we need to dig deep and try to understand the reasons behind it. Are we procrastinating because:
- We feel fear of failure? Self-doubt? When we’re not sure of how to start working on a project or if we’re insecure of our capabilities, we might find ourselves leaving it for later and working on some other tasks. We should analyse if the fear is related to being successful? Maybe we wouldn’t be able to handle the growth and all that comes with it? Try to figure out if the fear is unfounded.
- We feel burnout? When we feel burnout we need to consider delegating the project or task that we’ve been procrastinating. We could try to break it down in small parts or steps and, at least share a part of it. Also, think if there is a different way of doing it, so it doesn’t feel so overwhelming.
- We feel incompetence because the project is out of our comfort zone? We could either delegate it to someone who has the knowledge or maybe, if you’re a business owner it would be beneficial to learn and become competent on that area.
- We get easily distracted? To help keep the focus, we should set a time to start the project and treat it like if it was a meeting with an important client.
Unfortunately, procrastination can raise our levels of stress, but it can also harm our social relationships, since we could be putting a burden on others around us. People who depend on us (family, friends, co-workers, etc.) can become resentful.
We all know that success comes when we follow through on the execution of our plans, when we persevere and stick to it. A good plan means nothing if we don’t stick to it.
I recently read a book by Lee Colan (Sticking to It: The Art of Adherence) and learned about the Adherence Equation, and thought it was worth sharing. It is founded on a research done based on life experiences of the highest-achieving people. These are the 3 success factors that high achievers practice:
- They continually sharpen their Focus by keeping their goals visible at all times, trying to keep in mind that worry is mainly based on concerns in our minds that most of the times are not the reality. They also set boundaries around how they use their time.
- They build Competence by preparing for 2 steps ahead, working on the current task but preparing for the next. They create templates, checklists, etc. for all the tasks that will be performed more than once. They always try to ask the right questions to get the right answers.
- They ignite their Passion by being aware that they move towards their dominant thoughts and what they believe. They ask themselves, at the end of the day, if they did something that day that leaves a positive impact. They don’t “try”, they either “do it” or not.
Leave Procrastination for tomorrow and start doing what you need to do today…Keep moving forward!
Great article. It’s easy to put something we dread off but in the end it will hurt more than facing it up front.
I Love the topic. I am not a bad procrastinator, but sometimes I like to put stuff off until tomorrow. Actually I put off my book keeping for a year. Not good, because it makes it a lot harder when a year has past. I always find it amazing what happens when I actually do what needs to be done, I feel like a huge weight falls of my shoulders and my brain is free to think about something new. The book you mentioned: The art of Adherence by Lee Colan sounds very interesting.
Great article! although I personally am not a procrastinator, I do have my moments of lag especially with maintaining social media posts. Takes up time on a daily basis for sure! great job!. P
Great post! I struggle with procrastination daily. Trying to be better on that this year. Will definitely check out your book suggestion!
I hate to realize that I’m procrastinating when I’m just checking emails or Facebook. It is so easy to do, especially on a computer.
Glad you tackled the topic of procrastination as it is a very real issue facing many people. Great post!
Great Post, Patricia! I was just recently procrastinating on a project and got the push I needed from our DIY Group to get it done! It only took two days to complete! I’m in the process of revisiting my goal list! Thanks for another great read!
I think we also fear success, to a degree. How will that change our lives, and the lives of those around us, if we actually get what we want?
I know that if I make myself a list of to-do’s I am good! Procrastination IS because of fear. To often we do hesitate to jump on in, just to realize it doesn’t really have the fear factor we thought it did.
Patricia,
Did you write this for me? The timing is perfect thank you!
I have struggles with this in many aspects, especially when starting a new project. Love your insight!
Patricia great post! You bring up some wonderful points on this subject. Everyone does it, we just have to learn to manage it.
Wow…great information…seems I have experienced all of your 4 reasons for procrastinating…thanks for bringing some of the underlying reasons to light..
All of these are reasons I feel we procrastinate. Personally, the one I resonate with is feeling overwhelmed and that I don’t have what it takes to get the project done. I’m proving to myself I do. This is very possible when broken down into small steps. The 7-step process I use in my Speak up and Stand out for visibility and Success program is one I adhere to for my own accomplishments. Thank you for the valuable tips.
Cher Gunderson
http://www.masteryouraccent.com
This is great stuff.. I find that I procrastinate on the biggest projects and do the little things first because I can clear my plate faster.. or check off more of the little things and have only one thing left… but that one thing takes longer, right! Instead we should treat that one big thing as 5 little things and do them in pieces. Great post.
I love the title of this post!
~ As a former journalist, I’m mindful that I work well with deadlines. If I don’t have a deadline, the project could get sidetracked or even lost - unless there’s major passion pushing it forward. ~ Thank you for sharing the three success factors. Those were great!
Nice post Patricia. I find the only thing worth procrastinating about is procrastination itself.
I liked what you noted the book by Lee Colan (Sticking to It: The Art of Adherence) discussed~i.e. how to part of adherence:) Thank you!
Great topic! I’ve always been taught to take the one thing you didn’t want to do the most that day and to at 1st. That way you get it out of the way! I like the idea of making lists, because I’m very kinesthetic and I like to cross things off it gives me a sense of accomplishment. Great tips!
One of my favorite concepts right there in #3 Patricia
Either “do it” or not vs. “try”.