Would You Like To Put A Stop To Putting It Off?

Would You Like To Put A Stop To Putting It Off?

It’s the easiest thing in the world. And it drives me up the wall. There, I’ve admitted it. My patience is truly tested when people around me put things off - they procrastinate!

You see, some years ago I joined a very, very select club. It’s members are well organised, efficient and arrogant. Yep that’s us. Our members just can’t get a grasp on why anyone would want to procrastinate. It just doesn’t make sense. We all agree, it’s ‘the thief of time’ and not only that, but personally I reckon it also drains the energy out of you.

Actually, I think an undone task is a distraction. It hangs over you like a dark cloud that’s going to rain down on you any minute. Please don’t laugh. I see it all the time.

That’s why we formed the “DO-IT-NOW” Club. We don’t have many members yet, but we're optimistic. We teach our new members that the habit of procrastination eventually wears down your self confidence. They don’t believe us at first. But they come round.

Our Club is especially keen to welcome new members who are what we call ‘sneaky procrastinators’. They go around pretending that everything’s fine when it’s not. They probably have a cupboard full of unfinished projects tucked away somewhere.

Now to show that we do have a heart we’ve drawn up a list of a dozen reasons why we think people put things off. The club has given me permission to share the list with you.

Twelve good reason to put things off:
1. The task doesn’t seem relevant to you.
2. You have a definite lack of interest in the task.
3. The standards of performance are set too high.
4. You are worried about what others might think if you don’t do it right.
5. You’re not quite sure what you’re supposed to be doing.
6. You have definite fear of failing.
7. You’re riddled with self-doubt today.
8. You don’t think you have the ability to complete the task.
9. You need more information.
10. Too tired.
11. Forgot.
12. Poor environmental conditions. (Too cold, too hot, poor ventilation, poor lighting...)

I bet you found yourself identifying with a couple of those ideas at least. They all sound pretty reasonable - at first. But just incase you're starting to feel a tad uncomfortable I’m going to share with you now ten sensible solutions to the problem of putting things off.

Ten Sensible Solutions:
1. Clearly identify the obstacles that are holding you back.
2. What information or tools do you need to finish the task?
3. Set a clear goal for completion with a deadline if necessary.
4. Approve of yourself. Stop looking to others for validation if you don’t give it to yourself first.
5. Are your working standards realistic? Perhaps you’ve bitten off more than you can chew?
6. Delegate. “What can I delegate today?”
7. Teach yourself to touch-type!
8. Divide and conquer! Break the task down into ‘baby steps’.
9. Reward yourself more often when you complete a task that you were reluctant to take on in the first place.
10. Embed this Mantra into your mind and heart: “I am a do-it-now person!”

If you’re feeling a little bit excited now, having read all that, it’s probably time you joined our club!