What do you do if your mentee is struggling with procrastination and losing sight of their goals?

Ask them the list of tasks that they need to complete. Review them together and help them prioritize. Leading by example is one way to break the ice and make them feel comfortable and supported. By understanding the responsibilities and expectations will also help put things in perspective. Let them shadow you for a day in action.

Start by identifying their motivation. I work specifically and closely with neurodivergent individuals - for many, especially ADHDers we have an 'interest based nervous system'. This mean like many people we are driven by what we are interested and passionate about, but to the max. In addition, supporting a neurodivergent mentee, ensure that they have clarity and understanding of their tasks. Provide space, and psychological security for them to ask clarifying questions.

The initial step entails identifying the underlying cause. Therefore, I would initiate a dialogue with the individual, seeking clarification on the current situation. If a clear response is provided, it facilitates a smoother progression; however, in the absence of clarity, I would employ open-ended questioning techniques to elucidate the root cause. Additionally, it is imperative to revisit the rationale behind the established objectives, understanding the mentee's intrinsic motivation to attain them. Subsequently, a structured approach involves deconstructing the goals into manageable increments, facilitating a more feasible pathway towards achievement.

Ask them why they are having trouble completing their tasks completed in a timely manner. Listen for what may be the root cause, and ideally address a tailored approach. Offer them a framework (ideally one that you use) to model an effective way you prioritize tasks. Give them clear guidance on what needs to get done before you meet next and follow up with them on their progress.

it's important to offer support and guidance. Help them break down their goals into smaller, manageable tasks, encourage accountability through regular check-ins, and explore strategies together to overcome procrastination, such as time blocking, setting deadlines, or using productivity techniques like the Pomodoro method. Additionally, provide motivation and remind them of the importance of their goals to reignite their focus and determination.

If my mentee is struggling with procrastination and losing sight of their goals, I would first offer a supportive ear to understand their challenges. Then, we would collaboratively create a structured plan with achievable milestones. Regular check-ins and accountability measures would be put in place to keep them focused and motivated on their objectives. Additionally, I would provide guidance on effective time management and offer resources to help them overcome procrastination habits.

The second step involves assisting your mentee in establishing clear and realistic goals. Utilize the SMART criteria—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—as a framework for goal setting. SMART goals are easier to track, plan, and accomplish compared to vague or unrealistic ones. For instance, rather than stating "I want to improve time management," a SMART goal could be "I aim to complete a time management course by the end of the month and implement one technique each week." By employing SMART criteria, your mentee can articulate objectives with clarity, precision, and accountability, facilitating a more effective approach to goal achievement.

The SMART framework is simple and easy to follow. The best advice is to ask the mentee to not become overwhelmed by inserting complex wording for each criteria. It is important to strike a balance between easy and challenging objectives to ensure the process is as enriching and rewarding as the end result.

Re-assert (if already in place) the SMART Goals established at the beginning of the relationship. If you go through them one by one and track progress, you can identify what is needed to go forward.

Quick guide to setting SMART goals: Specific: Define goals clearly and precisely to avoid ambiguity. Measurable: Set quantifiable goals for tracking progress. Achievable: Ensure goals are realistic and within reach. Relevant: Align goals with overall objectives for meaningful progress. Time-bound: Establish deadlines to maintain focus and momentum.

Work together to set realistic and achievable goals. Sometimes breaking larger tasks into smaller more manageable tasks, and establish deadlines for each step to maintain momentum. Encourage your mentee to prioritize tasks based on importance and urgency, and help them develop strategies to overcome procrastination, such as time-blocking, setting reminders, or creating accountability systems.

In the third step, support your mentee in breaking down their goals into smaller, manageable tasks. This approach alleviates feelings of overwhelm and enhances motivation to initiate and complete each task. Utilize the Eisenhower Matrix, categorizing tasks into four sections based on urgency and importance: Do, Plan, Delegate, and Eliminate. This framework aids in task prioritization, allowing your mentee to effectively allocate time and energy. By employing the Eisenhower Matrix, your mentee can streamline their focus, address tasks efficiently, and progress towards achieving their goals with clarity and purpose.

Quick guide to breaking down tasks: Break down goals into smaller, manageable tasks to reduce overwhelm. Use the Eisenhower matrix (Do, Plan, Delegate, Eliminate) to categorize tasks by urgency and importance. Prioritize tasks effectively to allocate time and energy efficiently.

Two effective ways for me to overcome my procrastination. 1. Breakdown the goal into smaller task which can easily complete within a short duration of time. Once you feel that the task is easy, you will feel more motivated to complete them. Example, I wanted to learn Japanese. I set a goal to complete one lesson (less than 5 minutes) everyday to keep the momentum. 2. Setting the task and its duration, stop doing when the duration is up. (Required discipline) Example, I set a duration of 1 hour to complete my lesson slide. After 1 hour, the slide yet to complete. I will stop doing the slide and continue with my next assigned schedule or task. The slide I will put it as the first task to complete the next day.

Assist your mentee in breaking down goals into smaller, manageable tasks. Utilize the Eisenhower matrix to categorize tasks effectively. Here's some Effective Strategies: - Encourage prioritization based on urgency and importance. - Guide in allocating time and energy efficiently.

Are you running your schedule … or does your schedule run you? Taking control of what you add to your calendar can help to prevent burnout and stress. If someone wants a 1:1 meeting for additional conversation … perhaps to investigate collaboration opportunities … you don’t need to schedule that chat this week. If you add this meeting to 10 days or even 2 weeks from now, it will give both parties a chance to really consider great partnership potential and even referrals in each Network. Urgency causes pressure, so take a breath and add about 10 days for that chat.

In the fourth step, guide your mentee in crafting a schedule that aligns with their preferences and lifestyle. A well-structured schedule aids in task organization, deadline setting, and achieving a work-life balance. Emphasize flexibility, realism, and consistency when creating the schedule. Assist your mentee in selecting a suitable tool for scheduling, whether it's a calendar, planner, or app, based on their preferences and needs. Encourage regular review and adjustment of the schedule to accommodate changes or challenges that may arise. By collaborating on the creation of a personalized schedule, your mentee can effectively manage their time, enhance productivity, and maintain a healthy balance between work and personal commitments.

I think it would be helpful to add here or somewhere in the article about improving their “system” or how they work. A common denominator of having a lack of focus is also poor organization which can go hand in hand with a bad schedule and feeling overwhelmed. They aren’t able to prioritize the time-sensitive tasks and complete them in a timely manner. Having a set system in place is key to efficiency in the work place and optimizing their schedule.

Para que no se nos pasen las tareas tenemos que dise?ar un horario de actividades, así no sentiremos tanta ansiedad al estas todo paramitrazado. Ojo hay que dejar una franja de tiempo para aquellos "sucesos imprevistos". Clave establecer un horario de trabajo y descanso, así como una fecha límite para la ejecución de las tareas. Siempre dejando un par de días para abordar los imprevistos.

Work with our mentee to create a detailed plan outlining specific actions they need to take to reach their goals. This plan should include deadlines and milestones to keep them accountable.

Procrastination is a common human experience, it's a part of being human. We all have moments when we delay tasks or lose focus on our goals. It's important to recognize this, not as a flaw, but as a natural tendency that can be managed and overcome with the right strategies and support.

Provide ongoing encouragement and support! Celebrate their successes, no matter how small, and offer constructive feedback when needed. Remind them of their long-term goals and the positive impact that overcoming procrastination will have on their personal and professional development. Overcoming procrastination is a journey, and setbacks are normal.

I encourage my team to self identify where they see the obstacle is contributing to the procrastination. Coaching them on ways to improve their habits comes naturally after that. Providing follow up feedback and checkpoints to view their progress based on the feedback is also very beneficial.

It may be mentioned here as a step five, but in my opinion it's crucial to provide feedback and support at all times. Every day brings new experience, may it be a success or a setback. We all have our good and bad days. It's important to recognize those and overcome with right strategies. -try to provide ongoing encouragement and support during regular meetings to build a habit loop, -discuss their progress and concerns, -celebrate their successes, big and small, -offer constructive feedback, -share resources, examples and previously learnt lessons, -build trust and mutual respect, creating a safe space, -be there for them when they need you! Your mentee is more likely to seek your guidance and feedback feeling valued and supported.

Quick guide to providing feedback and support: Feedback: Offer constructive feedback to monitor progress and celebrate achievements. #Feedback Support: Provide emotional support to help cope with challenges and boost confidence. #Support Regular Meetings: Meet your mentee regularly to discuss progress and concerns. #Meetings Active Listening: Listen attentively to your mentee's concerns and experiences. #Listening Resources: Share

Self care is often ignored, especially on the entry level or during learning stage. High ambition and commitment, combined with an excitement can be dangerous. Investing time into self-care is really important for combating burnout and procrastination. Mentor should respect mentees boundaries, lead by example and highlight the benefits of a self-care: -reducing stress, -improving mood, -enhancing performance, -increasing creativity, -keeping your body and mind healthy. Except for regular daily self care, its important to have a hobby for giving your mentee time and space away from the project. Remember to: -celebrate small victories, -offer understanding and empathy, -help them challenge setbacks,self doubt and negative thoughts.

In the sixth step, advocate for your mentee's self-care across physical, mental, and emotional dimensions. Encourage practices such as adequate sleep, healthy eating, regular exercise, meditation, relaxation, and enjoyable activities. Self-care is instrumental in stress reduction, mood enhancement, and performance improvement. Lead by example and highlight the benefits of self-care to your mentee. Remind them of the importance of prioritizing their well-being amidst their responsibilities. Respect their boundaries and support their efforts in implementing self-care practices into their routine.

it's important to first understand the underlying reasons for their behavior. Then, you can work together to establish clear, achievable goals and create a structured plan to tackle tasks systematically. Encourage them to break tasks into smaller, manageable steps, prioritize them, and set deadlines. Additionally, provide support, accountability, and regular check-ins to help them stay on track and motivated. Offer guidance on time management techniques and strategies to overcome procrastination, such as the Pomodoro Technique or task prioritization methods. Finally, remind them of the importance of staying focused on their long-term goals and the satisfaction that comes from making progress towards them.

**Encourage Self-Reflection**: Encourage your mentee to reflect on their progress and identify what strategies are working and what needs adjustment.

Self-care is really important especially if your mentee is experiencing some burnout. One easy addition to the schedule is to go outside for a walk, even for just 15 minutes. This will give your mentee some time and space away from the project, where they will come back energized and creatively inspired to tackle the next small task on the list, or dive into the next section of their workday. Walks can be really beneficial!

In most cases Procrastination is not intentional. It could be due to the focus on completing smaller tasks which might be easier to close than taking the one big/complex task which gives more impact. So it is important we understand as well make team understand the significance of completing the tasks which give more impact. And also fail fast than trying to be perfect in the first time. So that the learning curve even though failed attempts could help to achieve the results.

Procrastination is a common challenge most individuals face. As a mentor, the best thing one can do is teach his / her mentee with certain tools that will help them remind themselves about the task they need to complete. The tools need not be rocket science or way too advanced. Keeping a simple reminder on the phone to do a particular task at a particular time helps too. One of the effective and proven tools is use of "Gantt Chart" that will help individuals to plan and keep a tab on their accomplishments. Pro tip- Always reward yourself with some of entertainment/treats as and when you complete tasks. That will keep you motivated to do the task and avoid procrastination. Cheers !!

I had a very interesting conversation with my mentee just this morning where she was procrastinating taking action. On probing further, she realised that it was more a fear of failure. The best way to help your mentee to overcome procrastination is to dig deeper into the challenges, understand them and help them find a way out. As has been taught during my NLP sessions, there are no failures only feedback. Use the failures to feedback, change the mindset of your mentee and help them overcome procrastination.

In my experience procrastination can step from lack of vision or the desired outcome and losing sight of THE WHY behind it. Too often we have too blurred out global goal and the actual tasks that it takes to complete it may seem daunting. Asking why someone is REALLY trying to complete or realigning the goal can help gain clarity. Reflecting on why they are doing something or why they want to achieve something can spark new ideas on HOW to achieve it in a more effective way. Additionally, breaking the biggest obstacle into small measurable steps/tasks helps to achieve reward status must quicker than going after the whole task at once.

Detachment is a common cause of procrastination that is not listed in the root cause section. Setting goals will not change habits if vision and alignment is lacking. Trace back to reason for detachment, and work towards finding an intersection of their agenda and the company’s.