Why Do It Today?

At times, I have problems buckling down to start work on major projects. The immediate begs for attention and I let go of the bigger picture. Do you experience this, too? Procrastination is a problem that plagues many... Unfortunately there's consequences to pay, just as in the fable, "The Grasshopper and the Ant." Here's a closer look..

Hall of Procrastinators
Just look at this lineup! Note any patterns?

Perfectionists Sense that if a task can't be done perfectly, there's no great incentive to even start.

Peter Pans (Never grow up) Syndrome Seek to maintain a childlike world without responsibilities or unpleasant tasks. You're only young once, but you can remain immature indefinitely.

Adrenaline Addicts Like the rush of meeting last minute deadlines. They're thrilled by putting their all into a project that must be completed by midnight!

Bit Players fear success since they will be in the limelight and will be called on to accomplish and beat past records. Thus, success should be avoided.

Baby Boomers expect much. The Boomers had much given to them and many were raised without personal obligation. They sense they're owed.

Buck Passers hope someone else will do it. And if someone else does not take charge, maybe it doesn't need doing after all. Many of these folks let outside circumstances dictate their lives. They're not at the helm of life.

People Pleasers can't say "no." Pleasers have an overbooked calendar and they just can't do all they've committed themselves to do.

Cowardly Lions fear criticism, embarrassment and disapproval. Their nonassertive behaviors perpetuate procrastination through lack of confidence and activity.

No American Idols pull back so they don't damage self worth. Many people see self-worth in the ability to perform well. Procrastination provides an out - so they don't have to perform.

Try this...Keep track of how you spend time...how much you daydream, talk on the phone or converse with others at work during a day. Results reveal where minutes fly away.

How do proscrastinators bust barriers that halt them? Procrastinators've programmed their brain over a lifetime to let tasks go 'till near deadline. Changing a lifetime habit isn't easy but it can be done...Consider recent research about the brain...

Our brain has amazing plasticity. And just by practicing different approaches, people form new routines. How? Each time folks use one of the strategies listed below, for instance, they rewire their brain differently. And potential's here to become the person you really want to be...

Plan Backwards and set starting times Use a planner and jot down times and tasks for each day as you take on bite-size pieces.

Check off Daily Tasks When Complete There's satisfaction to cross off tasks accomplished.

Select Work Space with Ambiance and No Distraction Create an environment to work alone...where others can't bug you. Maybe that means turning off the phone and deactivating computer games and email. Fix surroundings so they are pleasant and tidy.

Use a Time Clock Try to work really hard for 20-30 minutes at first. That's not too long and you will be surprised at what you accomplish when you put your all into the project for that short space daily. Sandy Renshaw recommends working with a time clock.

Reward Yourself at Increments When you reach "milestones along the way," buy that sports jersey, game ticket, new shoes or spa treatment as a reward.

Discuss Specifics with Others Share progress with others and capture new insights and perspectives.

Let Mistakes Go So you miss a day. Don't beat up on yourself. Let it go and forge ahead as if it didn't happen.

Just Do It As NIKE and athletes proclaim! Begin. And like the Little Engine that Could, give your brain new self-talk, I think I can, I think I can...and before you know it, you will complete it - on time.

At times, I battle procrastination. And writing this post was great review to put myself on the right path. I'm about 85% there. You?