procrastination

 – the bane of our existence as an entrepreneur.

 

Our To Do list is overflowing and we’re still putting off that task that we think is not as important, not sure where to start or we think has to be done perfectly or else. Or else what?

Here are ten ideas to help you get started to combat procrastination:

1. Have a problem getting started?  Prioritize your tasks and tackle the top two on your list.
2. Block off time on your calendar to do the task. I have found that if it’s not on the calendar, it doesn’t get done.
3. Task the size of an elephant? Well you can’t eat an elephant all at once, you’ve got to do it one bite at a time. Pick one small portion of that task to get started.
4. Take a page from Nike – Just Do It! It’ doesn’t need to be perfect. Your perception of perfection is not the same as others. Chances are, you’ve set the bar way too high. Like a high-jumper in sports, you start at the 4 foot level and work your way up to leaping tall buildings in a single bound ….
5. Having trouble completing a task? Remove interruptions (eg. turn off e-mail, forward phone to voice-mail, ship the kids off to grandma)
6. Set milestones for your tasks. (I don’t like the word ‘deadline’, it’s so final and ominous sounding)
7. Do you really need to do everything on that list? Enlist the help of the 3 D’s: what can be Deferred, Delegated, or Deleted?
8. Will the world come to an end if you don’t do it? Consider the consequences if you procrastinate. Are you willing to accept them?
9. Chocolate. (you need to reward yourself when it’s done don’t you?)

and last but not least #10: Don’t take on any more tasks than you can handle. Think of your day as a freight train and each of the cars is a task, appointment, a to-do for that day. They’re connected by a finite amount of time in that day. If you add a car mid-trip, all the others get bumped or even derailed. If you must add, you’ve got to remove.

 

Now Go Get Connected!

About Cathy Kuzel

Cathy is one connected woman! With 20+ years of experience as a successful Entrepreneur and Business Coach, she is recognized across Canada for her in-house and public seminars on “All Things Small Biz”. Named one of the Top Ten Mentors in Canada, Cathy is the Founder of The Connected Woman Association, Author of “Are You a Collector or a Connector?”; “I’m on the Phone!” and the internationally known “Daily Espressos”.