How Procrastination is the Bane of Leadership Development

The task you intended to complete today wasDisorganization could be the father of
put off until tomorrow and there was goodprocrastination. Get organized with a to-do list
reason to do so, but you can't remember whywith the most urgent at the top. Make a deal with
just now. Procrastination comes in many disguises.yourself that you cannot do anything else until
It's called rationalization sometimes. You say, "Iyou accomplish at least one thing on the list. You
didn't get started on that project because thecan make giant strides with tiny steps.
weather was too hot or I didn't have all theHuge projects can be daunting whether you're
parts." One can always come up with many goodwriting a book or building a house. You can't see
reasons to delay a project.the light at the end of the tunnel because the
Procrastination can become a habit and if youelephant is standing in the way. Cut a slice out of
keep putting off getting new habits thenthat elephant one day at a time and soon it will be
procrastination will be your constant companion.gone. A small manageable task is much more
We find ways to delay a task because there arepalatable than trying to swallow the entire project.
other things more important to do. Many timesNo matter how small the success it's another
these are merely excuses such as checking yourstep toward completion.
email, playing an on-line game or surfing the TV toMake a decision on what needs to be done and
see if you're missing something interesting.do it. Even if it's wrong at least you've done
You must recognize a real reason to delay assomething. Indecision can cause major delays in
opposed to just an excuse not to do somethingboth your business and personal live. It's easier to
you don't want to do. Ask yourself if that jobmake a decision if you create a list of the pros
really needs to be done and if your answer is yesand cons of what needs to be done. Once you
then get it done and then reward yourself for ahave a clear direction, your mind clears and the
victory over procrastination. When the job ispath becomes apparent.
complete, step back and assess what you'veFear of failure can cause procrastination. The
done to see if it was worth the time and effort.failure lies in never getting started. Difficult and
Perhaps you were procrastinating for gooddreaded tasks are rarely as bad as they seem at
reason, but that's rarely the case.the beginning. Stop procrastinating today. Don't put
Lack of direction can cause you to procrastinateit off until tomorrow.
because you're not sure what to do next.