Managing your priorities
AFTER DOING everything all the time management experts and books say to do, have you ever wondered why you still procrastinate? There are just those days when procrastination seems to be the easiest and best way out of a situation.{{more}}
Whether itâs a long report, a phone call, or a promise you know you have to fulfill, it just sometimes feels impossible to get motivated to complete the task. So why do we procrastinate when it most often causes us feelings of stress, frustration and utter mental pain?
1. Obligation. Humans hate to be told what to do. Resistance builds-up when we are told we âhave toâ do something. However, we are naturally energised when we âwant toâ do something. The minute the mind hears âhave toâ your procrastination routine begins. Strive instead to âwant toâ finish the task and it will eliminate the feelings of obligation.
2. Itâs not that important. If itâs not a real priority for you then that item will inevitably get pushed all the way to the back burner each time.
We all commit to things that it would be nice to do but the question should be are you the person to do it? Often times even though it would be nice to do something, it doesnât mean you are the person to do it. Even when a task is important, if there are no real consequences for not doing the task on time or reward for getting done in a timely fashion again we tend to postpone or avoid the task all together. Practice delegating and asking a colleague to help or simply learn to say no.
3. Perfectionism. Some people feel if you canât do it perfectly the first time donât even bother to attempt it. That need to be perfect paralyses many people as they strategise ways to get it right the first time. Errors will occur as we are human so keep that is mind the next time you invariably start postponing a project. Perfection is practically impossible; one should strive for excellence not perfection. Start small, break a project down into smaller task with a time limit to reduce to overwhelming feelings.
4.Pain avoidance. Sometimes the stakes are high and there is a consequence for late completion or there is a reward for a timely completion and even then our brain and body just doesnât seem to be in sync. In cases like these, we think itâs more painful to do the task and the delay tactics bring a certain level of comfort. Itâs never really as painful as it seems. Again, come up with reasons why you âwant toâ complete the task as oppose to why you âhave toâ.
Karen Hinds is âThe Workplace Success Expertâ For a FREE SPECIAL REPORT on 7 Ways to Develop your Competitive Edge in the Workplace, send an email to info@workplacesuccess.com Visit online at www.workplacesuccess.com
Comments
