Nancy Nemitz
If just thinking about tomorrow’s task pricks the hair on the back of your neck, or just thinking about the task compels you to do something more trivial, you are probably procrastinating,
This is according to University of Calgary economist Piers Steel.
Studies show impulsive people are easily diverted by temptations cropping up in the middle of a project. Procrastinators fear failure. They will put off the task so they won’t be judged.
Solutions offered by experts in the field of procrastination
- Get started. Anticipating the task is often worse than the task turns out to be.
- Pick the lesser of two evils—do the task, and risk imperfection; or avoid the task, and lose your job.
- Setting your own deadline can make you a better performer.
- Commit to a specific time and place to get the task done.
What are you going to do when you are tempted to avoid the task? Have a plan.
Nancy Nemitz works with clients to help them be more productive. Her company is Create the Space Professional Organizing. You can reach her at nancy@createthespace.com.