Procrastinating? Do It Now!

Q. How can I stop putting things off? I’ve procrastinated all my life, and right now my

job is especially demanding. If miss a target date because I’ve delayed a key step, I’m in big trouble. But the work piles up and I get overwhelmed with the stack on my desk. I don’t know where to start. —Bill B.

A. You’d be surprised at how many people struggle with this problem. You don’t need to change who you are—just some of your old habits. Once you see the value of doing things right away, you’ll feel more comfortable living and working that way.

Decide to Change

Start with a decision to change the way you work and live. One definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing over and over and expect the result to be different. Another way to look at it: If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you always got.

OK, you’ve decided you want to change. Now, what to do? Start with your work habits—by looking at how you manage your time, and what happens when you procrastinate. You’ll probably discover that you often create more work (and more headaches) when you procrastinate. Build in more efficiency in your actions throughout the day and reduce or stop putting things off.

What’s Really Important?

At the end of each day, take 10-15 minutes to list what you have to do the next day—business as well as personal tasks. Code each item either “A” (MUST do it or your job or career is in trouble); “B” (Should do it if time permits); or “C” (Good to do it, but it won’t hurt to postpone it.) Now the pinch: “A’s” are often hard, difficult, unpleasant—and are usually the tasks we want to put off. (“C’s are often fun, and seduce us into thinking that we’re really accomplishing a lot when, actually, we really aren’t.)

Now here’s where your expertise at procrastinating can come in handy. Put off all those “C’s” until your “B’s” are done (or you’ve set aside time to do them.) And put off any

“B” that stops you from completing your “A’s.” Some “C’s” you should put off: useless meetings; opening “junk” mail; extended personal conversations; visiting co-workers without a specific task in mind. Ask yourself this key question: “What would happen if I didn’t do this thing?” If the answer is “Nothing,” then don’t do it. Set aside

special “undecided” pile. After 30 days, do it, decide it, delegate it, or dump it.

Do-It-NOW Checklist

Start each task with something easy—to motivate yourself.

Break down each difficult task into smaller ones (the "sliced salami" technique:

slice it up into little tasks and do each one at a time.)

Limit your time for involvement ("I'll work on this for 15 minutes, then quit.")

Before you quit a task, identify the next step to work on.

Try to handle each piece of paper just once—as soon as you touch it.

Write responses to correspondence right on the original message--except when

responding to customers

A few times a day, set aside some free time for yourself to clear your mind.

Use the first hour to jump-start the day—when your energy at its peak.

Have fingertip files for key projects you’re working on.

Organize your desk and clear out files you don’t need. Clutter invites procrastination.

Prepare weekly/monthly master plans—and decide to follow them.

Set daily objectives: call a client; make five prospect calls; delegate a task.

Reward yourself whenever you act immediately, instead of putting something off until

later:

--Enjoy a cup of coffee with a co-worker;

--Take a walk; spend 3-5 minutes of quiet time for a “Power Pause” to focus on what you’re doing, where you’re headed, and what’s important—in your job and your life.