Procrastination is something we all do from time to time. A moderate amount of procrastination is normal, however there are times when procrastination can greatly affect our lives - stopping us from fulfilling our potential or even disrupting our careers.
What is procrastination? Procrastination is when you put off tasks you should be focusing on right now, usually for something that is more fun or that you are more comfortable doing. Procrastination is harmful because it takes energy away from the most important task at hand, causes our "to do" list to pile up. When we procrastinate we create unnecessary worry that saps us of energy and makes us feel like we've failed.
In order to prevent procrastination, you should look at the cause of the procrastination in the first place. Why is it that you are putting off a big task or project? Are you worried you can't do it right? Are you afraid of the outcome if you do -- are you afraid of possible success? Are you overwhelmed by the size of the project? Once you get to the heart of the issue, you can make a plan of attack to overcome the source your procrastination.
If you are procrastinating because you are not sure how to do something or if you can manage it alone, don't be afraid to ask for help. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness or of not being intelligent. Asking for help means you understand your limitations in this area and are smart enough to seek the advice of an expert. We cannot all be experts in everything. If you are procrastinating because a project looks too large, then break it down into pieces. Understand that it will take time and actually plan the time you need to complete the project on your calendar. Nothing feels worse than having a deadline creep up on you before you realize it and having to cram to get that project done.
If you find that you are still procrastinating, find yourself an accountability partner and ask that person to check in with you at a certain point. It may be you need daily accountability or just a couple of times a week to stay on track. Through trial and error, figure out what is needed and ask that person to "stick" with you while you work to get through that large task. The buddy program also works. Maybe you determine that you are putting off that project because you just dread doing it all alone. A good friend by your side helping you might be another way to keep procrastination at bay.
Finally, when you set about planning your "to do" list for the day, be sure that you keep that high priority item at the top of your to do list. Focus on it early in the day when your energy is at its highest and be sure to maintain focus for a period of time by muting email "dings" and your phone. My guess is that when you really get your head in the game and get down to business, you'll find that thing you've been dreading and putting off is really not that big of a project after all!
And always remember that Tight Ship offers coaching for support and accountability and is available if you still need an "extra push."
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