That infamous list! We all have one.
Do you find yourself avoiding specific tasks or not getting around to things that need to get accomplished? Guilt, though a common human reaction, is of little use, and often serves to discourage you further in working towards your tasks or goals. If this is an issue for you, try focusing on the following time management ideas.
Common Causes of Procrastination:
1. Being overextended. Is it humanly possible to meet all the obligations you currently have? If not, can you omit or reschedule some of these obligations? Can you say no and not feel "guilty" about putting your needs first. This is not about being selfish, it's about being assertive and respecting yourself as well as others. Allow yourself to understand it's okay to say, "NO"!
2. Low motivation. Is the task relevant to you personally? If it is another person's goal rather than your own, try to find some personal reward or relevance for your completing the task. Are you really interested in the project? If not, can you find a way to make it interesting or let go of it?
3. Lack of training. Are you unprepared or incapable of completing the task? On a new task do you find you afraid of the unknown? Are the expectations ambiguous? You may want to ask for guidance, support, or a new perspective from someone who is more familiar with the process or skilled in the area.
4. Faulty assumptions. Are you assuming that if you ignore the task long enough it will disappear? Do you tend to underestimate how much time and effort the job will take? Do you have a tendency to over-estimate the difficulty of getting the task done? Try sitting down and writing out each step of the job, how long each step will take, and then tackling the job one step at a time.
5. Perfectionism. Are fears of doing a less than perfect job interfering with your productivity? Remember that perfection is unobtainable. Often it will feel worse to not do a job at all instead of doing it in a less than perfect manner. Try to assess how important the task is, and what level of performance really matters in relation to the task. Ask yourself "what level of performance on this task would I expect from a friend/co-worker?"
6. Fear of Evaluation. Are you over concerned with another individual's response to your performance. Try to evaluate how much total impact upon your life this one reaction will have. No one performs highly all the time, or in every area. Try to focus on completing the task in with a goal of lessening your workload and anxiety, regardless of the evaluation.
7. Avoidance of negative experience. Do you just HATE DOING THIS TASK? Does it rate up there with dental visits or cleaning out the refrigerator? Is there any way to make it more pleasurable or enjoyable? If not, try doing the dreaded task first, while you still have energy. Often it can be helpful to have a friend or co-worker nearby for encouragement (and to keep you on task!).
What action will you take to end procrastination and fine tune your time management?
If there is something you've been wanting to do, something you've been wanting to achieve....
A career that you really love,
Business or professional growth,
Creating the life that you really want to live,
An organized, uncluttered home and work space,
Finishing that project,
A special relationship,
Fitness and weight loss,
That goal you've not been able to nail so far,
Make 2010 your year to end procrastination and gain more TIME!
Implement Time Management and get ready for your NEW LIFE!
