Procrastination is the #1 reason business owners find that their business stalls
Recently, we conducted an informal poll of the 1000 participants that signed up for my Fire Up Your Biz – Enrich Your Life program and found that over half of our respondents had questions around procrastination, lack of motivation and generally just not getting things done!
When you procrastinate, you limit your ability to get visible. When you procrastinate, you limit your ability to serve your audience.
So, I asked my expert panel:
Putting off critical tasks for a later date can break a business. How do you fight procrastination? What is your 1 favorite tip/technique?
Today, I'll share 30 ideas on what you can do about it. As you read through the list, notice the repeating themes that pop out to you.
“Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.“
~ William James ~
Definition of Procrastination
Procrastination – to put off intentionally the doing of something that needs to be done.
Procrastination Tips
1. Procrastination Elimination For SissiesWhen I'm in procrastination mode it's often because of anxiety & feeling insecure. This strong & centered business woman becomes a little wimp. Here's what I do: I pray, have a conversation with God telling him/her/it all my fears and concerns. Also, I may wrap myself in a blanket & hug a pillow, or cry. Really. Procrastination is just our primitive mind looking for comfort. So I do whatever needs to be done, no matter how lame. I've written hundreds of blog posts and a couple of books this way! Thanks to Margit Crane of Gifted With ADD |
2. Eliminate The Hate!Entrepreneurs who procrastinate performing critical tasks in their business and leaving money on the table are clearly trying to avoid something that is painful for them. Any task that creates that much anxiety and avoidance is something that probably needs to be outsourced or it will continue to cripple your progress. Eliminate the hate by outsourcing and watch your business soar! Thanks to Lisa Angelettie of Multiple Streams Marketing For Small Businesses |
3. Procrastination Is A Freedom StealerI love freedom and flexibility in my life so much that I plan my week to allow for these two values. When I look at my weekly schedule, I try to get as much done as soon as possible so as to leave space in my days and week to allow for unexpected fun things I may want to do. This way I can enjoy myself without any guilt. So, my motivators against procrastination are my values: freedom and flexibility. Thanks to Deborah Zechini of Order In The House |
4. Plan Your Work And Work Your PlanLots of times we need to move beyond just being overwhelmed to have a plan to work from. Take a few minutes, jot down what you want your results to be. Now break that into a few big parts of that goal. With a plan you are ready to go! Thanks to Ellen Delap of Professional-Organizer.com |
5. Success Before Snack BreakI recommend, and use myself, food as a motivator to reduce procrastination. Commit to getting 1, 2 or 3 important tasks completed before the next snack or beverage break. It's measurable and immediately gratifying to be rewarded with a snack at the end of a project. Hey, we've all gotta eat! Thanks to Darla DeMorrow of HeartWork Organizing |
6. You Only Have Take One BiteWhen I don't want to do something, I break it down into the smallest possible steps. Then I tell myself that I only have to do one thing (or work for 20 minutes). When I'm done, I can go on to something else I like doing, or I can continue. Somehow, knowing I only have to do that one thing (or take that one bite) makes it easier to get started. Once I get going, momentum usually kicks in. If not, I have at least made progress toward my eventual goal, and I can take another bite tomorrow. Thanks to Renee Ursem of Get It Together, LLC |
7. Host An Integrity Day!Get friends or colleagues together for 4-6 hours. via a conference line. Then every hour on the hour call in and each person tells the group what you'll be doing. It could be a big project broken down into parts or a bunch of small projects that you've been telling yourself you were “going to do” — but haven't. Integrity Day was created by Thomas Leonard who is commonly called the father of coaching. He created it for himself – so that he could get back in integrity. You can do the same. Thanks to Maria Marsala of |
8. What Frog Do You Need To Eat Today?At the beginning of the day I look over my to do list and determine which item or items are my frogs for the day (or in other words, which things I am dreading the most). If I don't tackle them head on, they will stress me out all day so I try to knock them out as soon as possible. I also have a frog timer that I use for things that are especially hard to tackle. The timer keeps me moving and the frog reminds me to get it over with! http://www.eatthatfrogmovie.com/ Thanks to Susan Stewart of Perfectly Placed |
9. Creative Purge Of IdeasThe technique I have mastered to overcome procrastination is to do a little at a time. The one area I find most challenging to concur procrastination is writing articles for my blog. It used to intimidate me staring at a blank computer screen. Now I begin with a few ideas and allow the creative juices to flow. The best way I can describe it is a creative purge of ideas. I then refine my ideas by editing and this is where the magic begins. It is exciting to transform ideas to share with others. Thanks to Elizabeth Densmore of Office 2 Office |
10. Fight Procrastination! Get Into The CLEAR Zone.I figure out why I'm procrastinating by asking myself questions like these: Are there too many distractions in my home? Do I have all the information/tools I need to complete the project? Who am I doing this for and why? Thanks to Melody Granger of Melody Granger, LLC, Spatial Expert & Organizer of Exraordinary Women in Business |
11. Catch The Last TrainIf you believe your task, project or an activity is like a train that's going to stop on your station for just a few seconds, and especially if you know that it's the last train for today by schedule, would you get in to go back home? Most people are left on the station, waiting for the next train in the morning, because they missed it at night. If you do this long enough, it becomes a habit. Waiting forever on the abandon station is not a good place to be in – catch the train on time. Thanks to Chris Diamond of DoubleTimeToday.com | Time Management Tips For Business Owners |
12. Schedule It As A MeetingI look at my to-do list at the beginning of each week and schedule my tasks in my calendar as if they were a client meeting. I found that if I blocked out time in my calendar, it helped me in a couple of ways. First, it reminded me of what I had to do, so I never forgot a task again. It also didn't give me an excuse that I didn't have time! A more organized schedule ensures that I not only get all of my tasks accomplished, but I found that I have more free time for myself! Thanks to Amanda Walls of Cherishable Weddings and Events |
13. Got Frogs You Need To Swallow?Quite simply, people procrastinate because they dread doing the task. The dread may be associated with a long project, a difficult project, or a project that simply isn't much fun. developing a support system Thanks to Marlene Caroselli of Center For Professional Development |
14. Why Wait? You Can Start Now…Stop waiting for yourself to feel motivated and inspired to take action. It’s true, and I too have experienced it, we like to think we must feel ‘inspired’ before we act. In reality, most times it’s getting started that gets us more motivated to continue. Once you get started, one small task leads to another and before you know it some great progress can be made and that will inspire you to keep going. So why wait? You can start now… and stop Procrastinating today! Thanks to Michelle Panzlaff of Tidy Tiger Solutions |
15. Keep An Editorial Calendar And Stick To It!In my line of work, this is imperative. I wouldn't be able to keep myself on track if it weren't for my editorial calendar. It houses everything that needs to be done each day and I always include reminders on it so that I know when I have a bigger job coming up. I use Google's Calendar because I like how it sends me reminder emails and text messages, but if you feel more comfortable holding a pen then, by all means, print out a free calendar online and write things in the old-fashioned way. Thanks to Danielle Buffardi of PenPoint Editorial Services |
16. The Five Minute RuleProductivity guru David Allen (Getting Things Done) advocates a Two Minute Rule. I find that a Five Minute Rule works for most of my clients: if a task takes less than 5 minutes, do it RIGHT NOW instead of the amorphous “later.” Sometimes it takes less time to just do it than it does to put it on your to-do list and set up a reminder – or to deal with the ramifications of having forgotten all about it. Thanks to Shana Cassidy of Chaos Defeated |
17. Rewards WorkCritical tasks are just that critical and really should not be put off. I know that sometimes I just need a little extra motivation to push myself into action. Rewards work really well for me. I tell myself that if I will just sit down and finish the task then I may take some time to work on a hobby or put my feet up and read a non-work related magazine or book. Perhaps I give myself a trip to the local manicurist! My reward depends on how critical the task is and how long I have avoided it. Thanks to Diane Quintana, CPO, CPO-CD of DNQ Solutions, LLC |
18. Quick Focus TrickI sometimes find myself procrastinating when my mind is racing about a lengthy to do list. What helps me focus and get started working on something is my daily practice of taking half an index card (it helps that it's a small piece of paper!) and writing down the next three things I am going to work on. Thinking ahead to only three things helps me prioritize so the most important (not necessarily urgent) tasks get completed. And, I get a sense of accomplishment knocking them off my list. Thanks to Clare Kumar of Streamlife |
19. Set A Deadline And Be Held AccountableEach week I talk with my Accountability Partner via phone. I share with her my critical goals and tasks for the week ahead and commit to getting them done. Knowing that she will ask me about my accomplishments the following week keeps me motivated and ensures I block out time on my calendar to complete these tasks so that I can hold my head high when I report in to her. This strategy helps me fight procrastination and is one I share with my clients when we discuss the topic. Thanks to Debbie Rosemont of Simply Placed – Organizing And Productivity Consulting |
20. Account For AccountabilityWe procrastinate when a task makes us cringe: fear of failure or not measuring up, uncertainty regarding how to approach it, or perhaps a dread of boredom, annoyance or frustration. My trick for getting started (which, in and of itself, is the trick for completing the task) is to confer with an accountability buddy. I share my perceived obstacles and we brainstorm right through them. We identify my first step, I start as soon as we hang up, and knowing she'll be checking in holds me accountable. Thanks to Julie Bestry of Best Results Organizing |
21. Hit The Bulls EyeIf there's a task I'm avoiding, I'll look ahead at my calendar and block out a chunk of time to get the project done. I color code that block in bright red (which is different then the other colors on my calendar). When that day arrives, I turn off all distractions for at least 45 minutes so I can really focus. After 45 minutes if I have not finished the task, I'll spend a few minutes checking email and returning calls and then I jump right back to the task repeating the cycle until it's done. Thanks to Lori Krolik of More Time For You |
22. The More The MerrierTell other people about your goals or the tasks you'd like to accomplish. There's great power in having other people support you as well as to hold you accountable. It's a great way to move you from procrastination to motivation. Thanks to Sue Becker of From Piles to Smiles |
23. Ask Yourself This…Is what I am doing – at this very moment – moving me closer to my goal? Thanks to Melinda Anderson of Southern Home Organizers |
24. Create Deadlines By Sharing Your PlansThe greatest blessing–and curse–of being a solopreneur is having no one looking over your shoulder. Most of us respond better to external deadlines, so create them by sharing your business plans and actions with others. Let's say you need to finally finish that e-book. If you send an e-blast to your list, telling them that your great new product will be ready next month, guess what? You're much more likely to get it done on time, because you've stated your intention to others. Thanks to Lisa Suchesk of Timeline Organizing Consultants |
25. 3 Questions To End ProcrastinationA task looms larger every time we set it aside. Ask yourself: 1. Is the task important? 2. When does it need to be completed? 3. How long will it actually take? If it's not important, then take it off your to do list. For something that is important, make it the first thing you do when you start your day. Then it's done and you can feel accomplished and relieved. For longer tasks, break them into little pieces. Do the first thing. Then do the next thing. You'll be surprised at the results! Thanks to Faye Levow of Launch Pad Publishing Inc. |
26. Breaking Up Is Easy To DoPeople often procrastinate because they don't know where to begin and don't know what do to next. By breaking a big task up into smaller, manageable pieces the anxiety is relieved. Break a task down into LOTS of small pieces, ideally taking ten minutes or less. So instead of sitting down and thinking about “cleaning out the closet”, you site down to a predetermined list of tasks, each small and able to fit into your day. For example, buy hangers, drop off donations, and hang up clothing. Thanks to Bonnie Dewkett of The Joyful Organizer |
27. Bash Those Big Uglies!When I have to tackle really big projects, I start with the biggest, ugliest one first. It's not that they're really ugly, but that's how I see them. I figure once I'm done with that big ugly I can move on to more pleasurable pursuits, without feeling quilty! Clients have agreed with this approach, especially when I tell them to just work on it for 2 hours at a time, and then work on something else. It takes away that feeling that you have to do it ALL at once! Thanks to Sheila G. McCurdy of clutter STOP |
28. Procrastination Elimination – “How To Eat An Elephant? One Bite At A Time”There's a level of perspective and commitment gained by writing a list; so first thing – take a moment to think about what achievement you'd like to experience, what can't wait and what is really nagging you. Thanks to Kirsten Nielsen of kgn design |
29. Just Gut It Out!For the tasks that I just can't bear, I make sure that I do them first. It feels so good to get the dreaded task out of the way and it's 100% instant gratification as well. Thanks to Laurie Meek of Office Candy |
30. Top 10 Reasons For ProcrastinationThere are some key contributing factors that cause people to procrastinate: Thanks to Cena Block of Sane Spaces |
What music gets you motivated and moving? How do you stop procrastination? Share your thoughts below!
Until we talk again,
Live Fully — Love Openly — Laugh Often — Leverage Your Brilliance — Connect Authentically — Get Your Message Out — Serve with Impact — Prosper Everyday
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