Overcoming Procrastination: A Must For Part Time Marketers!

Overcoming procrastination is something I've struggled with in both my personal and professional life.  I seem to do my best work when faced with an impending deadline, although the mental strain of waiting until the last minute makes it hardly something to celebrate.

And based on the number of search results for “Overcoming Procrastination” — 284,000 — I'm not alone!

For anyone, but especially people who are building a home business Part Time, procrastination is not just a nuisance but can be your mortal enemy.  When time is limited and you continually put off important tasks waiting for a better time, understand that the “right time” may never come around.

If you're a part timer and procrastination is an issue for you, keep reading.  This post will be pivotal in getting you going again!

What Is Procrastination

In a nutshell, procrastination is the act of putting off an important task until a later time, often replacing it with something easier or less frightening (my definition, not Websters!).

It can take an unlimited number of forms, but in business it can look like this…

• Not calling that lead you KNOW you should call, and watching a training video instead.
• Not making that video because _____ isn't right (insert:  the time, the lighting, the mood, the weather).
• Not writing your daily blog post you promised yourself you'd write; rather, let's see what's happening over on Facebook.

You get the idea.  It's putting something important off that may seem “hard” for something easier (which often times means doing nothing!).

Why Do People Procrastinate?

When looking at overcoming procrastination, it's important to understand why people do it in the first place.

Here are 6 reasons why people procrastinate, according to the smart folks over at Lifehack.org:

1. Projects seem too complex and daunting
2. Projects are viewed as unpleasant
3. Inability to prioritize
4. Inability to make decisions
5. Fear of failure
6. Distractions

I have to say that I see my tendency to procrastinate in all of the above!  Of these, I think #1 and #3 are most often the culprit.

Projects that seem too complex can mean we don't know where to start.  We think of the enormity of what we're trying to accomplish and it blocks us from even getting going.

Also, not being able to prioritize can paralyze us.  And of course FEAR… the fear of _____ (failure, rejection, etc) is always there lurking in the background.

Great Procrastination Quotes

Overcoming Procrastination Strategies:  The Birth of a New Word

There are many strategies for overcoming procrastination, including understanding why you procrastinate in the first place.  Other strategies are making a commitment, anchoring pain and pleasure, visual reminders and remembering the long term benefits of completing a task.

These are all great, but I've found the #1 way for overcoming procrastination is as simple as doing just one little thing…

In fact, I've created a new word that perfectly represents my approach towards procrastination.

Watch the video below:

PROCRASTIN-ACTION

When procrastination has you all tied up in knots, just DO SOMETHING!  Take one action immediately that will move you a step closer to completing the task you're avoiding.  

It's ironic that I've used this strategy in creating this blog post.  I've been procrastinating with my blogging recently, thinking of new ideas and information I can give my audience of Part Time Marketers and, as a result haven't actually blogged as much as I like.

That stops today, with a post about the very thing that's been stopping me!

I hope this helps you out today…

To your success and happiness!

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Bob

Creator of The Part Time Business Blueprint

Email: bob@bobandrosemary.com

Skype: drbobclarke

 

PS  Whenever I find Procrastination and Fear raising their ugly heads in my business, I go back to this killer resource.  It's hard hitting and guaranteed to get you moving again!