Copyright 2006 Michael Madigan
Procrastination is the thief of time – and money too, at the PC. Your Internet connection, system and energy cost you. Some responsibilities are no a laugh – but do not let them pile up. Constant dithering and delaying will smash your health, wealth and reputation.
Here are 10 suggestions for helping you forestall procrastination useless:
1/ Before you even take a seat down, type out for your thoughts what’s ‘urgent’, ‘critical’, both, or neither. (If an ‘urgent’ assignment isn’t always ‘critical’ and the deadline passes, so what?). An ‘urgent and vital’ task need to usually come earlier than an ‘vital’ venture. If you’ve got a terrible memory (like me) write or type a quick listing of your Top Five To Dos for the consultation, and delete or amend as need be.
2/ All different things being same plan on doing easy duties earlier than difficult brief responsibilities earlier than long responsibilities. Always have something concrete to expose for worktime in the front of your PC.
Three/ As a long way as you may YOU decide what’ essential’ and ‘pressing’. There are bullies about – bosses, colleagues and customers – who suppose their merest whim is law. Learn to mention ‘No’ civilly. They might not find it irresistible, in particular at first. But you may grow.
Four/ If you need assist in your work, get it now, not later. If it’s not there now, you could ask later – greater possibilities. If you leave it until later, it could have long past off earlier so no chances….
5/ You’re there going through your emails, databases and memos and all at once out of nowhere, new jobs seem. The tendency is to ‘do what is on pinnacle of the pile’ first. Don’t. Put it into the proper place on your present listing.
6/ Do you get distracted without difficulty? Try and be aware about this, and stay aware of what responsibilities need doing – and by means of whilst.
7/ Are you extra lively and creative morning, midday or night time? Can you reschedule your goals to take this into consideration? Or do you simply plod alongside, some thing? You may be a tortoise or a hare, but you can still win your own non-public race in case you plan beforehand.
8/ Don’t surrender your breaks. You want to tempo your self. But put a time restriction on all breaks, surfing, chatting or simply having a pipe dream can consume into worktime with disastrous outcomes. A rushed task is rarely your pleasant shot, or a real reflection of your competencies.
9/ Be specially wary of lengthy lunch breaks, and overeating or drinking. If your afternoon’s festooned with pressing and important chores, you’ll sense inclined to procrastinate bigtime if you’re hung over, crammed to the gills, or useless beat.
10/ Give your self a deal with in case you hit all your cut-off dates. Doesn’t ought to be chocolate! And don’t procrastinate on profitable yourself when you deserve it.
Use those suggestions to forestall procrastination at the PC (AND off), and it’ll enhance your unfastened time and make you glad and healthful computing via 2006 and beyond!