Conquering Procrastination and Unlocking Your Potential

People always ask me how I can get a book written in six months or less. I tell them my secret to doing so is to sign a contract. You see, a publisher isn’t interested in excuses. You promise to deliver a manuscript on a particular day, and they expect you to do so. A signed legal contract is my version of accountability.

This brings me to my first tip on how to conquer procrastination.

Seek accountability and support.?Accountability can be a powerful antidote to procrastination, as one of my coaching clients recently reminded me. He said one of the best reasons to hire a coach is because this person will hold you accountable. If you promise your coach you’ll get something done before your next call, you best do so. If you’re not able to work with a coach, you can seek out an accountability partner who can give you a gentle nudge when you need one to stay on track.

Tackle the one thing you don’t want to do first.?So much time and energy is wasted thinking about how much you don’t want to do something that you wind up doing nothing. Of course, you feel terrible about that, making you feel even less excited about tackling the task. Tackle the one item you don’t want to do first, which will free you up to move through the other tasks on your list quickly.

Set time limits.?Ever notice when you have the whole day to do something, it takes the whole day? I have. Set specific time limits for each task and honor them strictly.

Set clear goals and break them into manageable tasks.?Vague aspirations are easily derailed by procrastination. Instead, create clear, tangible goals that define your path. Break these goals down into easily digestible tasks and set deadlines for yourself.

Eliminate distractions.?Raise your hand if you check your email several times in an hour. If you do this, you’re not alone. Most likely, it’s not your fault, as you may be hearing those annoying chimes every time mail comes into your inbox. Start by turning off email alerts. Then log out of programs on your computer that you’re not using. Close your office door or hang a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the back of your chair.

Forget perfect.?Perfectionists often delay starting a task because they want to achieve flawless results. The fear of making errors or falling short of their high standards can cause perfectionists to put off jobs indefinitely. Instead, do your best and move on.

Get your Mojo back.?People tend to procrastinate when they don’t feel incredibly motivated. The absence of a compelling reason to act can result in procrastination. Think about what’s holding you back. Did you agree to take on a project when you wanted to say no? Are you working on a project that no longer feels necessary? Find your purpose and get back on track.

Low self-confidence.?The fear of not measuring up to expectations or believing that your efforts will be futile can lead to procrastination. Who wants to take on a task when they know they will fail? Flick that little guy off your shoulder and replace him with a voice that says, “You can do this!”

Procrastination can result from a combination of these factors, and the specific reasons may vary from person to person. One thing that doesn’t change is the fact that procrastination can have a crippling effect on your career. In the battle against procrastination, remember that the only way to truly lose is by surrendering to the allure of tomorrow.

Ready to break the procrastination habit and advance in your career? Let's talk.

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