tool #3: stop procrastinating - now! copyright harriet meyerson 2008 employee success toolkit
TRANSCRIPT
Tool #3:
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
Copyright Harriet Meyerson 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Employee Success Toolkit
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Why Do You Put Things Off to the Last Minute?
Procrastination is an automatic habit pattern used to avoid
tension.
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Habit Patterns
Habit patterns are the barriers to overcoming procrastination.
Understanding your habit patterns is the key to overcoming procrastination.
The habit is kicked off by discomfort such as feeling uncertain or insecure about the task.
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
What Situations Do You Avoid?
Have you taken on too many projects?
Are you afraid of a project? Is it too large or outside your
field of expertise?
Are you too detail oriented? Do you spend too much time
on unnecessary details?
Are you avoiding a boring task? Do you need a last minute
deadline to motivate you?
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Three Barriers to Overcoming Procrastination
Mental diversions
Action diversions
Emotional diversions
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Mental Diversions
Manana Diversion - Thinking, “Later will be better because I’ll be better prepared.”
Thinking, “I’m too tired.”
Thinking, “I’m not alert enough.”
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Action DiversionsAnything Seems Better than Facing the Task
Doodling Working on your
computer Cleaning out your
desk Calling someone on
the phone
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Emotional DiversionsSome tasks are drudgery.
Are you overwhelmed? Do you have a negative
attitude about the task? Are you waiting to be
inspired?
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Corrective Measures
Don’t worry about being perfect. Make “Just do it!” your motto. Delegate some tasks to others. Prioritize tasks in order of importance.
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
The “Crystal Ball” ApproachVisualize Two Paths
1. Diversion - which is certain to lead to procrastination
2. Tackling your unpleasant task even though the outcome is unclear
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
The Five Minute System
Commit to your unpleasant task for only five minutes.
Then, decide whether you will commit for another five minutes, etc.
These decisions will keep you moving forward.
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Plan In ReverseVisualize your outcome first, then work back from it.
Visualize your goal as your target.
Imagine the arrow in the center of the target.
Imagine the arrow headed toward the target.
Imagine holding the bow and releasing the arrow.
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Break Your Goal into Small Parts
Where do you want to end up? What do you do just before that? And, what do you do just before that,
etc.?
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Build Frustration Tolerance
Tackle challenging tasks with persistence until they are done.
Congratulate yourself for living through any frustrations.
Realize you have control over yourself, and can succeed, in spite of your discomfort.
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
“Doing reasonable things, in a reasonable way,
within a reasonable time, gets things done, and that
way you’ll end up doing rather than stewing.”
William Knaus, Ed.D., Author of The Procrastination Workbook
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
Quiz & Discussion Questions
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Question 1
What are some of the reasons people procrastinate?
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Question 2
What can an overachiever do to overcome procrastination?
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Question 3
How should you deal with a boring task?
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Question 4
What should you do if a problem is complex?
Stop Procrastinating - Now!
© Harriet Meyerson, 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com
Question 5
Name three types of diversions people use to prevent them from overcoming procrastination.