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Procrastination is something all of us do, but hopefully only occasionally. Take a moment to think about how you handle the things that you have to get done. If it’s something you don’t like, or don’t particularly want to do, do you step up to the plate and do it anyway, or do you put it off until “later?” If you’re one of those people who constantly puts things off, you probably need to make a change. But how? Especially if your day is full of tasks that have to be completed, your calendar is full, and you have too many things that need to get done right away, many of them things you don't want to do. Many times, the hardest part will be simply to get started. One way would be to make an easy 15-minute commitment - to spend at least 15 minutes every day doing something that needs to be done in your work life or personal life. Set aside that minimum of 15 minutes early in the day even if it means getting up 15 minutes earlier in the morning. You might be surprised about how much better you feel as you complete the tasks you’ve been putting off.

Habitual procrastination is a problem with huge consequences, health being just one of them; so let’s do some problem solving. People procrastinate for a variety of reasons. If you identify those reasons and deal with them directly and realistically it won’t be a problem anymore. Some of the reasons for procrastination are:

• Perfectionism. Some people have impossibly high standards. In this situation, they’re likely to put off doing something that they fear can’t be accomplished perfectly. Think performance, instead of absolute perfection. Set manageable, concrete, incremental goals to be accomplished at specified times.
• Large Overwhelming Tasks. If a task seems so large and complex you don’t know where to begin, you’ll often put off getting started. If you don’t start, you won’t finish! In a situation like this, break the project into manageable units that will take you no more than ten to thirty minutes to complete. Take one small step at a time and build on your suc-cesses.
• Unpleasant Tasks. If you hate doing something, you’re very likely to put off addressing it. When possible, delegate or hire someone to do the tasks that you dread the most. If you must do them yourself, think about how good you’ll feel when the job you’ve been avoiding is done. Do unpleasant tasks first to get them out of the way and free up the rest of your day to pursue more pleasant activities.
• Creating Pressure to Perform. Some people motivate themselves by creating the pressure of a crisis atmosphere. They procrastinate until the last minute and then dramatically complete the work. Even though this strategy actually helps them get the task done, they’re often confirmed procrastinators. The emotional expense, however, is great and detracts from the kind of consistent, concentrated effort a successful leader needs. So instead, motivate yourself by working at a reasonable pace to finish one step at a time rather than working yourself into a panic then doing it all in one last-ditch effort.
  

Some of the ways to reduce procrastination are to:

• Break the task into small manageable pieces.
• Do the hardest part first.
• Don’t worry about being perfect.
• Give yourself a deadline.
• Reward yourself when you complete the task.
• Set a fixed time to work on the project.
  

Sometimes procrastination is a warning signal, a way to tell you that this isn’t the right thing to do or that it’s a waste of time and doesn’t need doing. When, for whatever reason, you find that you continue to avoid important tasks, identify what you’re doing instead, and cut off your escape routes. If you chronically procrastinate and find you just can’t get started, ask yourself the following questions:

• Under What Circumstances Will I be Motivated to do What Needs to be Done? Listen carefully to your answer. Don’t try to modify it. Think about what’s stopping you from doing what you need to do. If you’re honest with yourself, you might recognize you’re not willing to work as long or hard as it takes to get the job done. Maybe you didn’t schedule enough free time for yourself. Perhaps you aren’t willing to do some of the tasks your work entails. In any case, now you have to face the truth because you’re the leader. If you’re unable to solve your own problems and to manage yourself, what will your future hold?
• Do I Enjoy my Work? If the honest answer is “no,” then it’s no wonder you’re having difficulty getting yourself to do the tasks involved. If you really don’t like your work, seriously consider finding something different, whether it’s asking your employer to rearrange your responsibilities or leaving to work in another field.

There are many resources that address procrastination and how to overcome it. Brian Tracy’s Eat That Frog! is just one of them.

The above content is extracted from Mike Holt's Leadership Skills textbook.

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