Coaching to Success

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Procrastination

Let me just do this job first, then I’ll start on that big one…

How many times do we have a task/project to work on only to complete all those little jobs first? All of which eat up time and often used as a means to put off That job, then suddenly we have little time to complete the main item!

As a business coach, I have this under control and don’t have that problem … hmm, okay, maybe not exactly true, after all, when last checked I was still human with all the foibles this race of ours has and yes, I too have to keep a check on myself, specially when I make important decisions like remodeling my home, that’s when I call the experts from https://www.palmbeachroofingexpert.com/.

So what are some of the areas we avoid? What of…

  • Writing that report you know will be a massive task
  • Needing immediate gratification – Finding an excuse to do something more interesting.
  • Wanting help – Waiting for somebody to offer or take over.
  • Wait on something else – “I can’t complete this report until John gives me the figures”
  • Changing your job/career

Okay, so we’re all guilty of these, or similar, in one way or another but how do we get around it?? Here are some ideas to consider that I find useful:

  • EMAILS – Turn off incoming warnings. Helping to avoid the temptation to continually check each new arrival.
  • STOP JUGGLING – You will inevitably be drawn back into to quagmire of multitasking and when you do, take a short break from everything! Allow your mind to re-focus. Does your roof have a leak? Call up the pros to get it addressed, so you don’t have to stress out over it and focus on your real tasks. Hiring a local roofing company with high reviews on Angies List or Porch will usually be a wise idea.
  • PRIORITISE – Evaluate and if it’s important enough for you to do, you’ll find a way. If we don’t care, we’ll keep putting it off. Go through your tasks and prioritise them, starting with the most important.
  • CLEAR WORK SPACE – A cluttered desk is a cluttered mind. Piles of paper, post it notes etc. distract and stop you from focusing on the job in hand. Only keep what you’re working on in front of you, file the rest or create to-do trays.
  • TIME-MATRIX – Steven Covey’s matrix is a 2×2 square. Along the top is ‘Urgent’ (Left) and ‘Not Urgent’ (Right). Down the side is ‘Important’ (Top) and ‘Not Important’ (Bottom). In each quadrant , asses what is Important/Urgent (Manage), Important/Not Urgent (Focus), Not Important/Urgent (Avoid) or Not Important/Not Urgent (Avoid)
  • CARTESIAN QUADRANT – Similar to above, this time, along the top (a) If you do make that change & (b) if you don’t make that change. Along the side, (c) will happen & (d) won’t Once drawn, this will help give a much clearer picture of importance to focus on this or any other area where a decision needs to be made.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY – Chose a person, a supervisor, a junior, a spouse or friend. Tell them you’ve committed to a task with a specific time-frame and ask them to hold you accountable. Human nature compels us to act if we know others are watching!
  • REWARD – I once had a client who bought himself an iPad when he achieved his overall goal. I like to treat myself to a really nice cup of coffee and chill for half hour to enjoy both it and my accomplishment. Doesn’t need to be big but reward yourself. Scale it according to the level of success.

Procrastination is but one element of Time-Management, if there are other areas that you or your team are concerned with around finalising projects or managing workloads, take the first step by contacting Neil on 07761 187238 or email neil@coachingtosuccess.co.uk where you’ll be assured a warm welcome to discuss how we can help. If you’re online, have a look at his interview video at https://youtu.be/RvCwOL4hPco

 

‘Procrastination’ – Why do today what you can put it off until tomorrow?

How often do you find that you are about to start something with the best intentions only to find … sorry, hang on a minute, let me just read this email, oh, I better have a look into this… and sometime later we’re back to writing this feature!

There are several reasons we (and I include myself in this!) let procrastination get a grip. These may include:

  • Waning interest – This is sooooo boring!
  • Motivation – The Mojo has taken a holiday!
  • Skill factor – Umm, how do I do this?
  • Rebel – Don’t want to do it and I’ll prove I don’t have the time!
  • Failure – What if I can’t do this?
  • Success – If I do well, will they expect more?

There will be more but I have found that these 6 normally top the bill, so let’s look at them individually.

  1. Waning interest – If, like me, when doing something that’s not that interesting, the ping of an email or something irrelevant but enjoyable suddenly seems to take precedence … STOP! Find somewhere without the distractions and concentrate.
  2. Motivation – Do you believe you need motivation to begin a task? How about this for a radical idea, start the task and then find it! Even the initial steps to beginning a task can promote the somewhat lacking motivation. Set yourself up with a reward once complete, after this feature, a nice inexpensive filter coffee and half hour read of a book will be mine!
  3. Skill factor –Sometimes it’s our own beliefs that hold us back. As a coach, many of my clients hold unfounded beliefs until we establish exactly where the problems lie and look at ways to overcome them. Consider breaking tasks into manageable parts. What is the starting point and the desired end goal? See what areas you are competent at, others may require some additional training or even delegating.
  4. Rebel – Predominantly another ‘subconscious’ level barrier generated from power struggles. I was amazed how when someone gave me a task I didn’t wish to carry out I managed to find every reason for not accomplishing it on time, whereas, jobs I did enjoy, would be cleared straight away! Remove the ‘Emotional’ attachment to the task and look at it from a practical sense. How much trouble would I be in if I don’t complete it? How will this benefit my business by completing on time? Only you can know the truth of this and letting the emotional attachment go will give a much clearer picture.
  5. Failure – None of us set out to fail, nonetheless, it is something that we learn from. Each step we take we learn something new or to persevere can win out in the end. Take J.K.Rowling for example, she got rejected by numerous publishers while working as a waitress. Her break came from the publisher’s 8yr old daughter begging him to publish it! Sometimes it’s simply down to timing!.
  6. Success – “Now if I do this right, they’ll expect me to continue or even improve!” Maybe expectations of you will be increased? And with each successful outcome, you raise your standards once again. Consider each and every task on its own merits WITHOUT considering where it may lead.

There are many tools that can help with procrastination, however, the biggest obstacle is ourselves! Until we start to realise what our own barriers are, procrastination will let its tentacles stretch out and feed on our daily distractions.

Coaching to success work towards breaking down barriers, opening up confidence levels, assessing what’s ahead and planning to succeed in whatever goal their clients wish to attain. To improve your own levels of procrastination or focus, take the first step by contacting Neil on 07761 187238 or email neil@coachingtosuccess.co.uk and if you’re online, have a look at his interview video at https://youtu.be/RvCwOL4hPco where you’ll be assured a warm welcome to discuss how we can help.