| Let's face it, we all procrastinate in one way or another. It's not anything to be ashamed of, it's just art of human nature. We procrastinate for many reasons. Maybe we hate the task at hand or maybe we would rather be doing something else. Whatever the reason, we all do it from time to time.
The time of year when procrastination is at an all time high is around the holidays (Christmas, New Years) and the beginning of summer. We all know that at Christmastime we are thinking about shopping, family, friends etc and in the summer time we are thinking about picnics, graduations, weddings, vacations etc so our business tends to get pushed to the wayside in our mind more often then not. What are business owners to do when they feel procrastination knocking on their door? Here are a few ways to keep that procrastination locked out.
Find An Accountability Partner
This can be a friend, a colleague, a family member or anybody you know in general. The accountability partner needs to be somebody who you respect a great deal, and who will give you that extra kick in the pants or brainstorm if you need it. Simply, email or call them and give them your list of goals for the week. Then on the following Monday, email them a list of your accomplishments and new set of goals and if you didn't get something done, they should gently but assertively prod you to get it done.
Review Your Business Plan
Pull out that 20 page business plan that has been sitting in your desk just collecting dust. Take a look at what you wanted to accomplish and where you wanted to be at this time when you wrote the business plan. Make some changes if you feel your goals have changed. If there are things in that business plan that you wish you had accomplished by now, focus on them and you will feel re-energized.
Understand Why You Procrastinate
This is also a good time to sit back and think about why you are procrastinating. Is it because you hate it, because you're afraid of it, because it is so nice outside, or because your mind is wondering? If you are afraid of it, that is where the accountability partner can come in, not only do they hold you accountable but they can also help you get past your fears by just talking about them. If it's because it's nice outside, take a quick walk or if you have a laptop, go sit outside and do the work from there. If it's because your mind is wondering, you must realize that whatever your mind is wondering to whether it be vacation, time with friends, etc, if you don't get the work done, you won't be able to enjoy the time you have doing those things because you will be stressing about work that didn't get done. If it's because you hate doing that particular task, outsource it. If it's marketing, outsource it. If it's designing your website, outsource it. If it's administrative, outsource it. If it doesn't have anything to do with business but it's personal, like cleaning the house, hire a housekeeper. If it's cooking dinner, go out to eat. There are a number of ways that you can handle things that you don't like, just use your imagination.
Do One Yucky Thing Per Day, First Thing
Get it over with one bite at a time. If you know you have to do it, and there is no escaping it, just do one task each day, first thing, and cross it off the list. Sometimes we end up with a big long discouraging list of things we hate to do, and it overwhelms us. If you tackle one a day, the list gets pared down pretty fast, and you begin to feel empowered instead of like a failure.
We have all been there when it comes to running a business. We procrastinate, we lose motivation, etc. We are all really gung ho when the entrepreneurial bug bites us but then we realize it's not as easy to run a business as they portray it on the internet and even on TV, but once we stop procrastinating and start doing, we will reap the rewards of being a truly successful business owner.
Tracy Collins, Confidential Virtual Assistant, owns/operates Collins-Admin Services, http://www.collins-admin.com, a virtual assistance company based out of Pennsylvania. Offering confidential virtual administrative support services to entrepreneurs/small business owners who feel they need higher than average confidential assistance. |
