Procrastination is much more than a “lazy habit”. There are so many things that can cause someone to get to this place time and time again. It can be caused by things like fear of failure, perfectionism, over-exertion, lack of skill or the simple fact that nobody has ever taught you something.
Don’t worry! Business owners and entrepreneurs all around the world are dealing with the very same thing. It isn’t a disease or an overcomplicated addiction that takes months to tame. Applying a few practical steps can help you become a proactive and deadline proficient business owner.
Get Organized
Tackling a to-do list can seem daunting as soon as you take a look at all of the tasks you have to do that day or week. The easiest way to start checking off those boxes on your list is getting organized. Start your day prioritizing your tasks. Put the urgent or most pressing assignments at the top of your list and try moving around the remaining items to other days in the week. Doing this will make your day seem less overwhelming and more approachable.
Another tip is to keep “like items” together. For instance: If you would like to reply to your customers/vendors first thing in the morning, you should go ahead and schedule this task as the first thing to do as soon as you get to your desk each day. Moving forward, you should then send any additional emails necessary before moving on. Keeping “like items” together can keep you from getting distracted or discouraged from getting everything else done.
Make It Fun
Have you ever tried timing yourself for getting tasks done? Go for it! Setting a timer for five minutes to create an instagram post or a quick invoice can follow with a small reward. Meaning, that if you complete the task within that time frame or less, you’ll get something out of it! It may seem slightly juvenile at first, but creating a reward system for yourself could be just the thing to get you moving and grooving.
Something else you could try is getting up and moving around. Maybe it seems boring to you to sit at a desk for four hours or more to get your work done. There’s nothing wrong with that! Don’t try to fight your body if you need to take breaks and move around in between your assignments. Schedule these breaks out as well. If you’re anything like the type A personality, you’ll love any excuse to check off another box on your to-do list and this can be another win to celebrate.
Pop The Perfectionist Bubble
We all would like our businesses to run in tip top shape with no unexpected red flags. That’s the dream! However, there needs to be a line drawn in the sand if being “perfect” causes you to never finish a project or task. Whether you like this concept or not, you need to accept that some things have limitations on them. If you have such high expectations that it stops you from even starting a task, you have an unhealthy attachment to perfection.
It is one thing to stand for excellence and there is nothing wrong with that! Keep standing for your business to be the best that it can be. But there is a healthy version of that goal. It is to understand that not everything will go as planned, and to be okay with it. Life will go on. Your business will still be okay in the end. And guess what? You will be too!
These are just three small things that can help you get on track. It will spark inspiration to do so much more. It’s guaranteed! You are your biggest encourager. So put your seatbelt on, and get ready to see your procrastination turn into dedication.