| Procrastination: | | | | do things. You have energy, feel good and want |
| I was going to do this newsletter last month | | | | to do things. When is that time for you? Morning, |
| but........ | | | | afternoon, night time. Take advantage of your |
| There are dozens of books, articles, and | | | | time. The universe is telling you something. Your |
| newsletters on Procrastination and its origins, | | | | prime time should not be used to watch TV, listen |
| cures, etc. I am here to tell you there is no cure. | | | | to sports radio, read the paper, coffee with all |
| If you are prone to putting things off (and you | | | | your friends. THAT is the role of the Procrastor. |
| know who you are), you can help yourself by | | | | Pick a time, place or person that will work for |
| coming to terms with the facts. Like the common | | | | you, not against you. If you have kids, you know |
| cold, where there is also no cure, you can help | | | | they always seem to be doing a dozen things at |
| control or limit its effect. | | | | a time. When it comes time to do homework or |
| DO IT NOW! - That's it. If you use that, as your | | | | projects they never have "time". Well that is just |
| mantra, you will be pleasantly surprised as to the | | | | another form of Procrastination. You need to |
| results. | | | | FOCUS on your objectives and prioritize them. DO |
| DO IT NOW is not new, revolutionary or unique | | | | IT NOW. YOU know when your are "in the zone" |
| but it will help you go in the right direction. | | | | I have a friend that never seems to accomplish |
| There are ways to help: | | | | things.He says no time, too much to do, can't |
| Time - When you need something done in a | | | | make decisions. He is over analyzing his objectives |
| timely fashion, make sure you allow yourself the | | | | and as a result, has no direction and |
| time necessary. If you say it only takes 30 | | | | Procrastinates. If he would just stop and DO IT |
| minutes to get into the city without traffic- a red | | | | NOW, he'd get more done. If you think you can, |
| light should go on in your head. WHEN is there no | | | | you can, if you think you can't, you can't |
| traffic? | | | | The best way to achieve your goals, no matter |
| If you have a report that is due and you know it | | | | how large or small is step by step. Little things do |
| needs 2 hours of time. Who says you need to do | | | | mean a lot I have a sign in my office that says |
| that in 2 consecutive hours. Think about taking | | | | "DO SOMETHING". It doesn't say "Do it all" or "All |
| blocks of time you have available. An appointment | | | | or nothing" but |
| calls and tells you he going to be a ½ hour | | | | DO SOMETHING. Anything towards your goal. DO |
| late wow you just gained 30 minutes to do | | | | IT NOW!. |
| something. Somehow you avoid traffic- another | | | | Set up mini goals. You will really be shocked and |
| 20 minutes saved. Using small blocks of time is | | | | pleasantly surprised on how much progress you |
| effective and efficient. Everyone says they have | | | | make when you take baby steps and they grow |
| no time for this, that or the other thing. Guess | | | | to larger steps as you move towards your |
| what? Look for it and you will find it. | | | | objective. You must |
| Planning ahead has never been the motto of the | | | | DO SOMETHING. |
| Procrastinator - but - sorry to say- it is a | | | | You all heard of Visualization. It's the art of |
| necessity. | | | | thinking of something that is already done. You |
| Best laid plans of mice and men-----.You know | | | | probably have done it dozens of times and never |
| something is going to throw off your plans - so | | | | realized you did and that it actually works. |
| plan for it. To this day I still set my watch, my | | | | When you were a kid playing baseball, the coach |
| clocks, at home and car, ten minutes fast. It | | | | would ask you what you would you do if the ball |
| drives my wife crazy (maybe that's a good | | | | came to you-. Well you visualized what you would |
| thing?) But my kids now all do the same and are | | | | do. When dating, you probably visualized what |
| always on time and relaxed. | | | | your wife would say when you asked her to |
| Procrastinators also have a tendency of doing too | | | | marry you. When you talk to customers and you |
| much. You don't have to do it ALL. Focus, | | | | ask for the order your are (hopefully) visualizing |
| Prioritize, do "what really matters" | | | | their response. |
| Identify your "Prime Time" That is the time in | | | | Well you've been doing it, why did you stop? |
| which you are "up" and really alert and anxious to | | | | |