In the previous “anti-procrastination” article, I looked at ways we may procrastinate…a little self-evaluation.
Another way to help start the ACTION process is to ask yourself: “What goals have I not met because of procrastination?”
Let’s take two typical examples: You promised your editor you’d get that article done by a certain due date. On the day the article was due, the editor calls you. You tell your editor sheepishly that you didn’t have time to do it, and you say something like, “My son was sick for days and I couldn’t concentrate” knowing full well your editor was generous with the deadline date.
Result? You took one step farther away from your goal of becoming a professional writer, and two steps farther away from developing a good relationship with an editor who picked you from the 25 writers who applied for the assignment. You can be sure your name has been taken off the “writer” list.
Second example: You delayed lobbying for your colleague’s promotion especially because he was the best man for the job.
Result? The job went to someone less deserving; second, your colleague resigned to take up another offer.
When you measure the consequences of a missed opportunity because you procrastinated, ask if the consequence was worth the delay.
In our fast-paced society, people tend to think of time as precious and valuable. Expressions such as “time is of the essence,” “time means money,” “you missed the train”, “you missed a window of opportunity” reinforce the value of time.
So, install a permanent calculator in your brain and calculate the dollar value of that missed deal.
The article you didn’t submit could have cost you $150.00, and possibly thousands of dollars in future writing assignments.
Your colleague’s resignation from the company wiped off an important asset from your company – and the “lost” revenue from his efforts.
If we make it a practice to apply a dollar sign to each of our procrastinations, we’d probably resolve to procrastinate less.
You can have excuses, OR you can have results.. but not both!
Michael Wise
eMarketProfitStrategies.com
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