Stop Procrastinating, Start Getting Things Done

Writing thank-you notes can be one of those annoying chores you always put off. Imagine having to write more than 100 of them for wedding guests. The more you’re nagged torndo it, the less motivated you feel. I rarely ask clients why they avoid doing something. Instead, I focus onrnhow many strategies we can devise to get the task done. The following approaches might be helpful. DEFLATE THE TASKrnIs the undertaking too overwhelming even to contemplate?rnWhen I asked a client recently for his best example of procrastination, he replied: “I need to improve thernworkplace environment for my staff.” The workplace environmentrnencompasses so much. Would he suggest a more casual dressrncode, replace metal stools with ergonomically designed seating,rnor create more transparent job descriptions? He realised that, even though the idea had been in his head for months, he wasn’t sure whatthe overall solution was. He was sure that the longer he put it off, the more intimidating the task would become. Once we outlined what was to be done specifically, and planned manageable steps to achieve this, his worry was replacedrnwith enthusiasm. LOWER THE HEIGHT OF THE HURDLE rnThat unfiled pile of documents behind your home office chair hasrnbecome a precarious tower just barely concealed by the desktop –rnscary, but not insurmountable. If your favourite music was playing,and a hot aromatic bubble bath was running, couldn’t you commit to tackling that pile bit by bit at the end of each day until it was gone? Become aware of your resources Is there anyone in your life who might be willing to help you? Lookrnbeyond passing chores to your spouse. A former colleague of minernwas strict about keeping a tidy work area and embraced the adage “a cluttered desk reflects a cluttered mind”. She looked forward to the annual office cleanup day. What if the client earlier had asked his employees what changes would enhance their office the most? Consider getting an accountability partner. Telling a friend or colleague about your intentions to completerna much-delayed chore, and knowing they’re awaiting the news of your success, makes it far more likely to happen. Reciprocate by offering to hold that person accountable for something they’ve been meaning to accomplish. CREATE TIMErnIf your excuse for not getting things done is that you haven’t got time, spend a week becoming aware of how much time you allow for everyday tasks. Write it all down, including time spent chastising yourself for all the stuff you feel you should have but didn’t get done the day before. The idea isn’t to cast arncritical eye on your inefficiencies, but to increase your awareness of how your life is playing out in real time. It might come as a shock to realise that you check your workrne-mail 48 times before lunch, on average, or that you routinelyrnmentally revise sent messages in 10 different ways. MAKE IT A PRIORITY ANYWAYrnPerhaps your internal judge has decided that your unaccomplishedrntask isn’t worthy of your attention. For some of us, important tasks get subconsciously, but consistently, pushed to the bottom of the to-do pile. Why is an appointment with the reflexologist less important than driving your husband’s car to the car wash? If you’re expecting someone else to give you permission tornprioritise yourself, you might just be the one you’ve been waiting for.