TIP OF THE MONTH: How to deal with procrastination

February 2009 | Posted by Carolyn Pikoulas
We're all guilty of procrastination in one way or another--whether it's losing weight, doing household chores or writing an article about "procrastination." We avoid tasks that we just can't seem to find the motivation. This is the 6th issue of The Procrastinator, and we're finally talking about the subject "procrastination." Looks like we're guilty, too. In this article, we'll explore some tips on defeating this costly dilemma...

At the end of 2008, many companies had brought their marketing programs to a standstill, just waiting for 2009 to roll around; hoping that tomorrow will be a brighter day. Looking forward to the future is ok, but if you're not helping your company right now, you'll be cutting off the very blood supply of your business. Putting things off only leads to lost productivity. And cutting marketing efforts in a time of a recession has been proven to damage business in the long run. Procrastination can be a monster that triggers feelings of failure and disappointment before a task is even started. How can we break the bad habit of procrastination, both in business and personal life?

Just like smoking, a bad habit can be hard to break. You can absolutely change your habits, but only if you truly want to (just ask Dr. Phil). Here are 9 ways to deal with procrastination:

1. Recognize the difference between an appropriate project to delay and an irrational reason to delay a project. Prioritize what needs done now and set deadlines.
2. Ever had a task that felt like pulling teeth? It should be handled like ripping off a Band-Aid. Once it's done the pain subsides quickly, and you can move on. Finish these types of tasks first and give yourself a lollipop afterwards.
3. Break complex projects into smaller, more manageable tasks.
4. Physically write down the list of tasks, because crossing things off on paper feels good.
5. If it's a task that could determine whether or not you'll keep your job, you may postpone it out of fear of failure. But just like an Olympic runner, imagine how you will feel when you've completed the race. It's one foot in front of the other, and all you can do is rely on what you've been trained to do. There's no failure, as long as you try your best.
6. Sometimes we procrastinate out of pure laziness. Talk to yourself like an Army drill sergeant: "Quit your whining."
7. Realize that perfection is unattainable. That doesn't mean you should lower your standards--just don't spend hours wasting time in irrelevant areas, when your attention should be focused on the job as a whole. Also, keep in mind that your 75% effort could be someone else's 100% effort (and vice versa).
8. Lose the distractions. If things like TV and radio make you work slower, turn them off. Surroundings often influence our actions and mood, which is why Feng Shui is so influential in the Asian culture. Spend some time each week cleaning and organizing your desk. And if surfing the internet is your addiction, set rules for yourself: "I can surf the internet for 15 minutes if I finish this, this, and this..."
9. Just quit making excuses. The only valid excuse is being dead.