the seemingly impossible art of putting off procrastination

I meant to start writing this blog entry some time ago, but couldn’t. I didn’t have a clever enough lead, I decided. So I washed the dishes, tidied my workspace, and then did something really urgent, like reading the newspaper. It’s kind of a glaring irony, given that the topic at hand is the ‘P-word’ – Procrastination.

We've all been there before, done that and faced the consequences. And then we did it again. Most of us want to stop, but usually it’s easier just to tell ourselves we can do that later, too.

“Everyone procrastinates in some way, in some area,” says life coach and corporate trainer Rhonda Victoor, from Incite Coaching in Kelowna. She's a put-together lady I use as a source for stories whenever I need a little motivation (can't afford a life coach myself, so I gotta get it where I can).

She says that procrastination is one of the first three success inhibitors she deals with in her work with entrepreneurs and other professionals, in the first few weeks of coaching.

“It’s the bow that wraps it all up,” she says.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of occupying one’s self with such things as e-mail, accounts receivable, basic reorganization ... blogging ... and other important but non-pressing tasks that could be done at any time but suddenly seem imperative when a more intimidating assignment awaits.

At work, the results can range from a simple, extended deadline from an increasingly less understanding boss to an actual loss of revenue, or some significant missed opportunities.

Off hours, it can allow dust and grime to accumulate, weight and bad health to increase and relationships to deteriorate.

But it’s possible to break the habit.

First, though, you have to admit there's a problem - not tomorrow, not later today, not "when you get around to it."

I admit I am a procrastinator. I admit that my procrastinating changes the timelines other people have to do their jobs in. And, while I always manage to squeak by, I am working under pressure all the time – something I'm finally tired of.

The problem is, we justify things. When we do alright that way, we convince ourselves that we work better under pressure. We might work well under pressure, but we do not work better, Coach Victoor says. We do better when we start the process and work through it in a logical manner, versus having to push it.

“We would rather complete a small, easy task and check it off the list and enjoy the satisfaction of it being done,” Victoor relates. “We’ve never learned to appreciate or pat ourselves on the back for steps. We get awards and recognition for completing things, not starting them, but there is a sense of accomplishment in starting something – not just completing it.”

To help with that, Victoor recommends breaking a larger project down into bite-sized pieces to work on a little at a time, accumulating a healthy collection of check marks as you go.

Doing the tough tasks first can also help, she says, increasing the sense of accomplishment when they’re out of the way.

“You can feel it’s a good day, then continue on with things that aren’t of great importance to your success right now,” she advises.

For those most intimidated about just getting started, Victoor recommends investing in a timer and setting it for a manageable amount of time – say, 10 minutes. This was a technique she used herself recently, to help get started on a book she’d dreamt of writing for years.

“Any goal can be started in 10 minutes,” she said, noting that she usually ended up expanding the time to at least a half-hour a day once she broke through the wall of beginning.

Having more than one motive for doing something – whether it’s a goal to get in shape, finish up a project or be promoted – also helps keep goals prioritized when other things vie for your time.

One of the things that has helped a lot of successful women be more efficient with their time is learning how to delegate responsibilities to others, saying ‘no’ when they reach their limit and dumping things that aren’t priorities.

“Part of the problem is the unfair expectations we put on our selves,” Victoor said. “The whole idea of doing it all, of the super-mom status image, is an unrealistic one.”

Lightening the workload to a more manageable size provides benefits on another level, as well. Sometimes, Victoor says, the reason we pick the laid-back jobs, like checking the email too many times a day, is because we need a mental break.

Having a balanced life, with time for friends, family, health and fitness outside of work, can also help increase our focus in the office.

“If you’re not taking the time, you’re going to be less efficient at the office because you’re looking for the no-brainer stuff as a diversion.”

But I mustn't expect immediate results. According to Victoor, it takes a good four weeks –sometimes more - to build a new, positive habit. And even then, there will always be a delay in starting a disagreeable chore. The trick is to diminish the delay from hours to minutes.

But the changes do come.

“Just remember, we can’t do everything,” Victor says, “but we can do everything that’s important.”

I'll try and keep that in mind.