PROCRASTINATION
PUMMEL PROCRASTINATION Learn how to kick procrastination to save your small business time and money.
MIND OVER GRAY MATTER PROCRASTINATION IS THE ACT OF IRRATIONALLY DELAYING ACTION.
20% Share of Americans considered chronic procrastinators
Physiologically, it’s a struggle between two parts of the brain: Prefrontal cortex: controls problem solving and planning Limbic system: craves immediate gratification
Who’s to blame? Researchers say the tendency to procrastinate is:
50% 50%
Why do people procrastinate?
genetic
environmental
Fear of failure: You won’t settle
for anything less than perfection.
Skill deficit: You don’t know how to complete the task. Lack of interest or motivation: The task is simply too boring.
Why is procrastination such a bad idea? It can …
… hurt your health: Chronic procrastinators suffer more illnesses, get less exercise, sleep less and drink more alcohol than non-procrastinators. … stress you out: The resulting deadline crunch (or a missed deadline) takes a toll on both you and those around you. … lead to lower salaries and a higher risk of unemployment: No one gets ahead by dropping deadlines.
TAKE ACTION—TODAY! MAKE PROCRASTINATION A THING OF THE PAST: SET SMART GOALS: Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Timely
FOCUS ON THE FINISH LINE:
Remind yourself why the task is worth the effort.
COLOR-CODE YOUR CALENDAR: Shade the beginning of a task and its deadline in the same color on your calendar. You’ll see the connection between the present moment and the future completion of the goal.
CREATE A SENSE OF URGENCY:
Set a deadline within the week, month or year. Example: Set a deadline of March 28, not “by April,” which feels farther into the future.
MAKE IT MANAGABLE:
Break your to-do list into tasks you can complete in an hour.
BLOCK TEMPTATION:
Create separate work and rest areas in your home and business, and use Internet blocking apps like Anti-Social to keep you on task.
– Benjamin Franklin
Sources:
PBS NewsHour, American Psychological Association, Oregon State University, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian NFIB.com/Procrastination
MIND OVER GRAY MATTER PROCRASTINATION IS THE ACT OF IRRATIONALLY DELAYING ACTION.
20% Share of Americans considered chronic procrastinators
Physiologically, it’s a struggle between two parts of the brain: Prefrontal cortex: controls problem solving and planning Limbic system: craves immediate gratification
Who’s to blame? Researchers say the tendency to procrastinate is:
50% 50%
Why do people procrastinate?
genetic
environmental
Fear of failure: You won’t settle
for anything less than perfection.
Skill deficit: You don’t know how to complete the task. Lack of interest or motivation: The task is simply too boring.
Why is procrastination such a bad idea? It can …
… hurt your health: Chronic procrastinators suffer more illnesses, get less exercise, sleep less and drink more alcohol than non-procrastinators. … stress you out: The resulting deadline crunch (or a missed deadline) takes a toll on both you and those around you. … lead to lower salaries and a higher risk of unemployment: No one gets ahead by dropping deadlines.
TAKE ACTION—TODAY! MAKE PROCRASTINATION A THING OF THE PAST: SET SMART GOALS: Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Timely
FOCUS ON THE FINISH LINE:
Remind yourself why the task is worth the effort.
COLOR-CODE YOUR CALENDAR: Shade the beginning of a task and its deadline in the same color on your calendar. You’ll see the connection between the present moment and the future completion of the goal.
CREATE A SENSE OF URGENCY:
Set a deadline within the week, month or year. Example: Set a deadline of March 28, not “by April,” which feels farther into the future.
MAKE IT MANAGABLE:
Break your to-do list into tasks you can complete in an hour.
BLOCK TEMPTATION:
Create separate work and rest areas in your home and business, and use Internet blocking apps like Anti-Social to keep you on task.
– Benjamin Franklin
Sources:
PBS NewsHour, American Psychological Association, Oregon State University, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian NFIB.com/Procrastination
