TIP OF THE MONTH: Battling Procrastination, Round 2

February 23, 2010 | Posted by Carolyn Pikoulas
Have you been noticing lately that The Procrastinator has been arriving in your inbox later and later each month? Well, you can blame it on the fact that I am - hate to admit - a procrastinator. Last year I wrote an article about how to deal with procrastination, and since a new year has dawned on us, it's time once again to carry on the fight.

Procrastination can not only be a hindrance in our personal lives but our work lives, as well. It may seem like a minor flaw in our personalities, but it can have a direct effect on our jobs and fellow co-workers. Some people procrastinate on trivial things like returning an unwanted phone call or paying a bill. Others avoid huge tasks that could make or break the business.

Procrastination is not really about poor time management or planning skills. It's about making excuses. It's the inability to get over the idea that you just don't feel like doing this right now. It can be a feeling that no one gives you recognition or will notice whether you do the job or not. Or sometimes a task can seem like there's no end in sight, and you prefer to work under pressure.

What can you do about this? First things first: determine what type of procrastinator you are.

4 Types of Procrastinators

• The Perfectionist - someone who either cannot make a decision or makes too many insignificant decisions. Not making a decision absolves a person of responsibility for the outcome of events. Perfectionists see their responsibilities as burdens, making it more difficult for them to accomplish tasks in a timely manner. They start tasks but put off completion until it meets their standards for perfection. However, these standards are most likely not recognized by others, and therefore futile.
• The Thrill-Seeker - someone who waits until the last minute to achieve a euphoric rush.
• The Avoider - someone who avoids a task out of fear of failure or even fear of success. They are very concerned with what others think of them. They would rather have others think they lack effort than ability. They often point out other people's flaws as a way to deflect from their own problems. They insist that factors outside of their control affect their ability to perform.
• The Just Plain Lazy - someone who is indifferent to the task itself and has no problem committing a mortal sin. These types of procrastinators can even project an air of arrogance in their lack of vigor.

Me, I'd say I'm a little bit of a Thrill-Seeker, Avoider and Just Plain Lazy. So what can be done to stop the cycle? Here are a few strategies:

1. Recognize that procrastination is a habit that will not fix itself. And a habit takes time and effort to break.
2. Work your way up to a monster task by getting those tiny, quick tasks out of the way first.
3. Set a specific time in your day to tackle the tasks you're avoiding. If you use a daily calendar, physically write the time on it.
4. Remember that every non-action has a consequence sooner or later.
5. Define the benefits you'll receive for completing a task in a positive way. Instead of thinking in negative terms: "If I don't call this person today, I might lose him as a customer," think: "If I do call this person right now, he will appreciate it and may become my customer."
6. Consider that the job is not as hard or time-consuming as you may think.
7. Finally in honor of Black History Month, heed the words of Dr. Martin Luther King: "How soon ‘not now' becomes ‘never'."