Do you struggle with procrastination? Are there opportunities that you have missed out on simply because you procrastinated? Are you ready for a change? If you answered "yes" to any of the questions above, then read on!
First, let me assure you that "some" procrastination is normal. We are faced with a myriad of choices each day and must continually make decisions based on our limited resource of time. Therefore, "planned procrastination" can be a useful tool in determining our priorities.
However, procrastination starts to become a problem when it becomes habitual. Projects
beginning to stack up, deadlines being missed, phone calls going unreturned, and bills not being paid on time are just a few of the warning signs that you are on a slippery slope.
Okay, I'm a Procrastinator!
What Next?
While numerous books have been written on overcoming procrastination, I've used the following 3 Step Method in my own life as well as helping others to implement these principles in their lives.
Give Yourself Permission to Begin!
On the surface, this might sound a little silly. However, we all have some pretty negative stuff buried deep inside that prevents us from starting - simply because we don't know it's "okay" to begin. 
Somehow, we feel that we just don't deserve it (whatever "it" is). Perhaps it's a goal to lose weight. A person that has not given themselves the green light to begin exercising might procrastinate simply because they don't believe they deserve to be thin.
In my business I've seen this firsthand with clients. For instance, I might lay out a step by step marketing plan with a proven track record of success. However, they never begin because they don't believe they deserve the success it will bring - and therefore never give themselves permission to begin.
So how do you give yourself permission. There simply is no right or wrong way to grant yourself permission. For me personally, I assure myself of not only my right, but my obligation to begin the task at hand. I may do this through affirmations or it might be in reviewing my project notes. The bottom line is that you affirm that it is okay to take action. And when should you do this....how soon is now!
Pick Up Only the Big Rocks!
With all of the choices available to business owners today, it's easy to get distracted. It's even easier to become overwhelmed in just trying to figure out where to begin. That's why it is critical to have a strategic plan. Within this plan are what I like to call the "Big Rocks".
Big Rocks are the cornerstones - the essentials that MUST get done if your plan or business is to succeed. Yes, it takes some time to put this plan together. But this time will be returned to you tenfold by having a clearcut plan to follow.
You might want to create your plan in a spiral notebook or like me, you might choose to use software. I personally use a great online tool known as "Master Plan". It's simple but incredibly effective.
I've made special arrangements to offer you a 3o day trial to Master Plan - but there's a catch! I'm going to make you TAKE ACTION - no procrastination allowed. Here's the action required: You must call me at 615-567-6815 to obtain the code for the free trial. No emails - you must actually pick up the phone and call me. This is a good test to see how serious you are about changing your habits. For the first 20 that trial Master Plan, I will also spend 3o minutes on the phone with you. I will personally walk you through Master Plan and show you exactly how to make your business infinitely more productive and profitable. But you must TAKE ACTION! When? How soon is now!
Master Failure
Notice that I didn't say to master
becoming a failure! No, if you are to achieve success then you must master being knocked down and then getting right back up. However, many people are paralyzed by fear of failure. As a matter of fact, they are so afraid of failing that they never begin.
It's important to make the distinction between failing and being a failure. Just because I create a new product and the marketplace rejects that product, it does not make me a failure. Instead of feeling as though I've failed, a better way to view it is that I have successfully discovered a product that the market did not need or want. I can then get back up, dust myself off, and say next.
Take a look at any successful business person and you will find that they have failed more often than they have succeeded. However, they have the necessary courage to overcome any fear of failure. They learn from their mistakes and then begin again. It's the same in any walk of life. Take baseball for example. Babe Ruth is known as the greatest baseball player in history. He hit 714 home runs in his career....but he also struck out 1330 times! For every home run he hit he struck out twice! But that did not deter him - he simply stepped up to the plate and got ready to hit his next home run.
So when is the best time to get back up, dust yourself off, and say next? How soon is now!
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Mike is the President and Founder of Born To Win, LLC. Mike's core belief is that "We are all Born To Win" - but sometimes we need a little help.