Procrastination….
Why do we procrastinate? My experience as a self employed person is that one of the main reasons is that I just don’t know where to start, I can see what I want to achieve but especially when it is something I haven’t done before I can struggle to see the best path to take to get me there….this can be compounded when what I visualise is a brilliant idea but it can appear to be so “BIG” that it is in risk of not happening simply because I question my ability to succeed. But nothing ventured, nothing gained! I tell myself that even if I don’t achieve exactly what I intended, if no one else knows what it was supposed to be like, then what I do achieve will be better than not doing anything!! And think about the experience I will have gained for next time!
Actions
1. Write my list – no matter if this is a small job or a large job if I am procrastinating this works for me , I get out a pen and paper and find out why?!!
2. What is the task? What exactly do I want to achieve – this could be anything from an event to a system / process that will support me in completing a task I do regularly more effectively.
3. When will it be complete? – I write the date in my diary.
4. What needs to be done? – list all the things that will need to happen in order to achieve the task.
5. What would stop me doing this? (That is apart from me procrastinating!!)
6. Do I need to get help? I give myself choices, should I outsource some of the work? And if yes who would be the best person / with complementary skills, to work with for this project?
7. Put each step in my diary on date it needs to be done – and ensure it is complete by asking my coach to hold me accountable.
I suggest you take yourself to somewhere you can’t be distracted to complete this exercise (for me it is the cafe at my gym) I put my phone on silent and give myself an hour. I promise you I am always thrilled at what I can achieve (this also works if I have a proposal to write or some notes to type up that I have been putting off!)
Let’s think about the well used saying “How do you eat an elephant? Answer: in small bites” YUM !!
