What?

I kept putting off writing this article for some reason. Just kidding! Technically, to procrastinate means to postpone doing something. Sometimes it's a good idea to postpone certain things. Usually it's a good idea to postpone making a snap judgment about something or someone. Sometimes you postpone "important things” you need to do, and they miraculously disappear or no longer matter. Procrastination only becomes dysfunctional behavior when it begins to negatively impact your life…when it keeps you from living the life you desire.

So What?

Procrastination has many potential sources. Here are a few of the more common ones:

Perfectionism - the paralyzing need to get it right the first time Impulsiveness - taking on too many things to do and overloading yourself Fear of failure - rather be seen as lacking in effort than ability Perception of task - seems too hard or too boring Uncertainty - not sure what to do

Now What?

Realize you are never going to totally stop procrastinating. Look for the three or four areas of procrastination that are hurting you the most. For example:

If you are in sales and you avoid prospecting. If you are a writer and you don't write. If you are a manager and you don't delegate. If you are a parent and you don't spend time with your children. If you have dreams and you don't act on your dreams.

When you find yourself procrastinating, first see if you can eliminate the task. Decide what will happen if you just don't do it. For the things you can't eliminate, conquer them one at a time. Pick the area of procrastination that is bothering you the most and set a weekly or daily appointment with yourself to fo

cus on it. By focus, I mean allow no distractions unless things like bleeding, respiratory failure and other events that call for a 911 response are involved. Build on your success and go on to the next area of procrastination that is bothering you and tackle it. Keep tackling the issues until you've got all the big ones under control.

Stop procrastinating on how to deal with procrastination.

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