Most people consider their procrastination habit a sure sign of imperfection, proof of their innate degeneracy. But a more generous interpretation of procrastination can yield better results.
Consider, if you will, the possibility that you procrastinate for a good reason. If you can identify that reason and work with it, then your need to procrastinate will dissolve and you can just go forward and do the thing you have been avoiding.
Some people procrastinate doing boring things. What a smart move! Who wants to spend time doing boring things? If you can allow yourself to notice that you are procrastinating a boring job, then you have the option of finding a way to delegate the boring job to someone else who may be delighted to have the job because they will get paid, they will learn something new or a whole host of other possibilities.
If you are procrastinating because you are intimidated by the task, or don't have a clue how to even begin it, then what's really needed is some help. Stop asking yourself to get going with a job you don't know how to do. Go out and find someone who can help you.
Or perhaps you are procrastinating because the task is likely to be unpleasant or difficult in some way, perhaps just because it's out of your comfort zone. You need to let a client know that you'll have to charge extra for the changes he's requesting. You need to tell one of your direct reports that she can't have the vacation dates she's requested. You're going to tell you mother that you're not going THERE for Thanksgiving this year. You get the idea. One of the best ways to support yourself in this kind of situation is to plan the conversation so it takes place between two "bookends" of support. In other words, line up a close friend or colleague to be available for you to talk to before and after the difficult conversation. That way, you have some support going into it, and you also have a safe person to debrief with after the difficult conversation.
Try this approach the next time you find yourself procrastinating. See what's behind it, and find a way to address that.
Copyright 2006 Sharon Teitelbaum. All rights reserved.
Master Certified Coach Sharon Teitelbaum is an authority on work life balance and an expert life coach to busy professionals, high achievers, people at midlife, and working parents. Her book, Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued: Restoring Work-Life Balance, is a strategic, tactical guide for maintaining a sane and balanced life, distilled from her experience coaching hundreds of people.
A sought-after keynote speaker and workshop leader, Sharon has addressed such diverse audiences as Harvard Medical School Faculty, financial advisors at Merrill Lynch, and Mothers' of Twins Clubs. She has been featured in national publications including The New York Times, Working Mother Magazine, and Forbes.com. Sharon works with individual coaching clients throughout the US and internationally by phone, or in person in the Boston area, and always offers an initial consultation at no charge. Married for thirty-plus years, she is the mother of two fabulous grown-up daughters.
