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The top ten reasons we procrastinate: (in alphabetical order)

Here are the top ten reasons we procrastinate: (in alphabetical order)

Avoidance, Fear of failure, Feeling Overwhelmed, Lack of Commitment, Low Self-Esteem, Not A High Enough Priority, Perfectionism, Resentment, Undervaluing the Rewards, You Just Plain Don't Want To

In our quest for success and search for the easy answer, we must always ask the question “Why am I doing what I am doing?”

Many of us work hard in our job and day-to-day tasks of living and pleasing others. Then when its time for relaxation, we don’t know what to do. We are bored or have no motivation to do anything so we turn to the TV to “lose ourselves” Why do we do this?

I will give you the answer soon, but first lets get to the reasons people procrastinate.

1.      Avoidance: We often disguise our avoidance by being very busy doing things that may be interesting, and even useful, things that don't contribute to our goals.

2.      Fear of failure and self-doubt: Judging yourself as not good enough or worried that others won't like or accept you, you may keep putting off getting started or getting finished with a project. You may even convince yourself that failing at a small task will result in devastating consequences.

3.      Feeling overwhelmed: This can directly related to not being able to get your thoughts around everything on your list. This bout of stress can be more related to the large amount of commitments you may have.

4.      Lack of commitment: No desire to get the job done, no matter what because of the inability to distinguish between what is important and what is unimportant.

5.      Low Self-Esteem: You may insist upon a high level of performance even though you may feel inadequate or incapable of actually achieving that level.

6.      Not A High Enough Priority: You have challenges evaluating your obligations and demands and prioritizing them.

7.      Perfectionism: This can referral to "starts and spurts" in your performance, meaning that you go on a cleaning spree, or attack a task with great energy and then slump back in exhaustion after having exasperated, irritated, or alienated everyone around you.

8.      Resentment: When you tell yourself that you have to do something, you're implying that you're being forced to do it.

9.      Undervaluing the Rewards: you feel that the effort to complete the task (almost any task) would not be worth the rewards.

10.  You Just Plain Don't Want To:

You have no direction. You don’t take the time to figure out what’s really important. You go thru life accepting whatever comes their way, blaming others for the state of your life or better yet you make constant adjustments to accommodate others. You take whatever life throws at you. You may even be a “firefighters”, an out of control “pleaser” making the agenda of others or the quest for the almighty dollar the reason do what you do. Why is that?

In a moment we’ll explore the typical trappings in procrastination. You would probably agree that most people don’t even know why they do what they do. They just do it because that’s the way it’s always been done.

To follow are my recommended actions steps that can referral you to less procrastination, achieve greater efficiency and peace of mind.

Do not be overwhelmed by the list. I recommend that you look over the list and do as much as you can in any order that applies to you. The key is to do something, create movement.

These recommendations are explained in greater detail on my website. Also keep in mind that each recommendation could take an entire book to explain in detail. Add one or two recommendations weekly. Remember, doing even a little more each week can make a huge difference in your attitude and your future success.

My recommendations are not in any specific order however all of these things are very important and can have a dramatic effect on your success.

Make a list and check it twice

Develop a plan or schedule to help you complete your tasks. Make or update your TO DO List daily. Create a written on-going list. Add to it daily or as the tasks present themselves. Don’t waste your time re-writing it everyday, just continue adding as the tasks present themselves and crossing off as you complete them. You may choose to keep a digital version instead (highly recommended). No matter what medium you use, just use it daily. 

One of the biggest efficiency concerns for most people is the ability to manage their time. Learning to prioritize may be the number one way to handle more in less time. Some people use the excuse that they don’t have enough time to prioritize. The reality is they are afraid of how large the list will be. Besides, it is easier to procrastinate about things instead of doing them.  

You would think that setting goals and making a TO DO list is a no-brainer. Well, I’m here to tell you that most people don’t have set goals or make lists. 

STOP and take two minutes right now 

List everything you have to accomplish today. Grade these items in the order of importance. Do the most important first, and so on. Now you have a plan and a goal for accomplishing what you have to do. Anything left at the end of the day; you should place on a new list and reprioritize. 

I have a client that was always running late to meetings because he couldn’t find all the necessary documents for the meeting. Can you imagine what he would look like to his superiors had they come in at that moment and seen how harried he was. Do you think they would be impressed, probably not? They would have confirmation as to why he was always late.

The solution? Stay on top of things, have a TO DO List and know what’s expected and what to expect.

Get rid of the MONKEY by prioritizing your tasks.

The MONKEY is the little voice that runs around in your head. It dismisses many ideas you have with thoughts like "It’s to big to handle on my own” "I don't have time" "I can't do this". Stop letting the MONKEY run your life! You have a choice. Acknowledge your choices and banish the MONKEY for good.

The biggest reason prioritizing works, and works well, is the 80/20 Rule. 80 percent of our activities contribute less than 20 percent to the value of our work.

To prioritize effectively you need to be able to recognize what is important, as well as to see the difference between urgent and important. The important, or high priority, tasks help us achieve our long-term goals or they can have other meaningful long-term consequences.

Once you prioritize your goals, divide them into smaller tasks. Sometimes we procrastinate because a project seems so large that the mere size of it overwhelms us and creates a temporary form of paralysis. You’re not sure where to start, so you don't start at all!

Here is an example of an exercise I did with a group of executives:

We created a task/values list, then each person marked each one with "A", "B", "C" or “D”, depending on its importance. (Pretend you are a teacher grading the value, don’t think about what it’s going to take to get the job done just grade it by importance.)

The "A" task/values are the ones that just must be done. The "B" task/values should only be done after the “A” task/values list is completed. Then move on to the "C" task/values list, then the “D” list.

Then they took the task/values list and numbered them from 1 on to, I think the number was 32. We then began to gather and negotiate the “1-A” position. When several executives had same “1-A” position task/value it was easy, however when they had different ones, it was time for discussion and negotiation.

We then put them all in order by listing the “A” first then the task/value, then the priority number. 

As you set the priorities in each of your task/values lists, ask yourself whether you can eliminate or delegate any of them.

In addition, keep a running list of other things that require your attention.

The SMART Strategy For Setting Personal and Professional Goals.

Many executives depend on flawless organization and their ability to prioritize for their success. You have to be able to find just what you need without looking— sometimes even in the dark, often in chaotic, time-critical conditions.

You also have to be very aware of company goals and where you fit in to the scheme of things. Why shouldn't you have the advantages of fail-safe readiness and organization all the time? Can you find anything within seconds?

Are you constantly rushing around? Do you have a environment? Are you typically late to meetings or appointments? Are you over-scheduled? These are all signs that you’re not running your life as efficiently or as effectively as you can. “So what?” you’re thinking. These inefficiencies may be costing you more than money. They could be costing you the life you desire and deserve.  Can you really motivate yourself when you don't have a good idea of what you want to accomplish? So, when setting goals think about what you want to achieve. I like to use the SMART strategy. Make each of your goals S = specific M = measurable A= Action R = Realistic T = Time based.

Don’t Be Afraid Of Your Skills, Develop Your Personal Values.

Many times in my life I have been afraid of doing something for fear that someone would find out that I don’t really know what I am doing and that I am a fraud. Well in speaking with friends and business associates that I trust, they shared that they have felt the same way on occasion. I realized that we all must feel this at some point in our lives. I would like to encourage you to just be yourself.

What Are Your Personal Values?

Would free time be important to you? How about more time, more money, starting your own business or a going in to a different career, improved health, greater self esteem and self confidence, fulfilling relationships? When we procrastinate it's often because what we have planned to do is not really in line with what we really want. We may be afraid of our perceived lack of skills or fear ridicule from others. Take the time to find out what you really want in life. Then WRITE IT DOWN.

Keep a journal. How you think and feel influences how you behave. Because you want to change your behavior to stop procrastinating, we need to focus on your thoughts and feelings about procrastination. Keep a journal of behaviors, thoughts, and feelings as you approach the next task you set out to do. This helps you see how your fears, excuses, competing needs, and habits divert attention from necessary tasks.

Stop Over-Committing Yourself.

You don’t have to say "yes" to everything. It can leave you feeling over-worked, underappreciated and tired with no energy to do what’s most important to you. Then your projects and tasks are delayed or worse yet, forgotten. Don’t allow another person’s emergency and lack of planning to become your responsibility. Identify the things that are most important to you and focus on the areas that will make the biggest difference in your life.

Clients and business associates tell me all the time that they are overscheduled and are still being asked to do more. There is a little word that is very powerful and it is….. NO. It’s ok to say no. It doesn’t make you a bad person, besides it doesn’t really matter what they think of you. What is important is that you are true to yourself and don’t over schedule. We do not have to take on everything asked of us. Remember to under promise and over deliver.

Imagine Your Life Without Procrastination.

What could you do and achieve? Can you see and feel the benefits that will be had in your life when you don’t procrastinate? Begin to act as if you're not a procrastinator.

Just get started.

No excuses. Don't wait. What you resist persists! Start with what is easiest, so that you experience immediate success, which will give you the fuel and motivation to upgrade and take on larger projects. The key is to do something, create movement

Save yourself some stress and do it now