Procrastination: How to Avoid It

Last night, I watched Letters to Juliet. In the movie, Charlie tells Sophie, “People don’t procrastinate because they are perfectionists, they procrastinate because they are chicken.”

That comment struck home for me because I have been dragging my feet a little in launching a new program. I need to evaluate why I have procrastinated launching this service offering… or am I just being a chicken. Actually, I’m slowly pulling this new service offering together and will be ready to launch in June. It should’ve been launched in May. It’s not really that much later, but it’s something I know will bring a lot of support to job seekers and I’m excited to help more people.

Overall, I’m pretty good at managing my projects. As I think about how I combat procrastination, here are a few ways I avoid procrastination:

• I have to force myself to assess why I’m procrastinating. Perhaps now isn’t the time to do the project, or I need do more research to see if the market wants what I have to offer, or maybe I need to find a partner to complete it.
• Usually I procrastinate because the size of the task is huge. I typically break down the task into smaller tasks that are more manageable. Accomplishing smaller tasks allows me to have moments of success along the way.
• Another way I combat procrastination is to surround myself with help along the way. When I get started on a new project, service offering, or product, I may not know what I don’t know. I’ve found that I just need to know people I can go to for help. It’s quite amazing how much help I can get if I simply ask a question. People typically want to help others and I have certainly been assisted by many others along the way. (Thanks!)
• Sometimes I have too much on my plate at once. It’s really important to not get spread too thin, so I check what needs to come off my schedule to make room to get a project done.

Now, I will add to my list of self-evaluation: Am I being chicken? I love that question because as a consultant and business owner, there is no room for me to be a “chicken”. I need to embrace how I can be better so that I can help more people and companies. So, keep your eyes peeled for something pretty cool. My commitment is to not chicken out.

What are you procrastinating? What are you being chicken about?