Procrastinators Perish

I would bet that anyone reading this article would agree that we all procrastinate from time to time. The reasons run from, "I just don't have enough time" to "my spouse will not let me", or my favorite, "I'll get to it tomorrow". No you won't. Trust me, you won't. The problem is not someone else or even the time to do something that needs to get done. This clear issue is you.

I know I always have issues getting things done that I am not very good at. For example, my spackling ability stinks. It never seems to come out flat enough to look good with a coat of paint. While I have done it many times, I don't really care for it that much. I am certain that is part of the reason I am not good at it . I put off doing it until I can't stand to look at a ding in the wall. It's kind of like a self fulfilling prophecy.

In business this type of disease can have disastrous consequences. I have a business friend that told me (no really it's a friend! I have no issue with the following) she just can't seem to find the time to call one of her clients back after they leave a message with a complaint. Well, on this occasion she did not call back in a timely manner and the client went elsewhere.

Was she really too busy? I bet you not. The fact is that she is not good at any sort of conflict. She is great at what she does...but that is not enough. So how do you solve this type of thing? Is there procrastinator anonymous? Maybe, but I have a few potentially easier suggestions.

1. Designate a more appropriate person to handle things that are better suited to their skills. This is not avoiding the issue; it is using the correct resources at your disposal.
2. Have a written set of procedures on how to deal with certain issues or tasks. This will make getting them done work more like a checklist and seem less daunting.
3. Work on improving some of the skills you don't like, get good at them and you may actually enjoy it!

Don't be the procrastinator that perishes. It's tough enough out there right now. You need every advantage you can get.