Tool #3: Stop Procrastinating - Now! Copyright Harriet Meyerson 2008 Employee Success Toolkit

Tool #3:

Stop Procrastinating - Now!

Copyright Harriet Meyerson 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com

Employee Success Toolkit


© 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.



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.



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?



Three Barriers to Overcoming Procrastination

Mental diversions

Action diversions

Emotional diversions



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.”



Action DiversionsAnything Seems Better than Facing the Task

Doodling Working on your

computer Cleaning out your

desk Calling someone on

the phone



Emotional DiversionsSome tasks are drudgery.

Are you overwhelmed? Do you have a negative

attitude about the task? Are you waiting to be

inspired?



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.



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



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.



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.



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.?



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.



“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




Quiz & Discussion Questions



Question 1

What are some of the reasons people procrastinate?



Question 2

What can an overachiever do to overcome procrastination?



Question 3

How should you deal with a boring task?



Question 4

What should you do if a problem is complex?



Question 5

Name three types of diversions people use to prevent them from overcoming procrastination.



Set Your Goals

What are your three main goals to stop procrastinating?

Documents

Tool #3: Stop Procrastinating - Now! Copyright Harriet Meyerson 2008 Employee Success Toolkit