"Procrastination is the intentional and habitual postponement of some important task that should be done now.” 

Harold L. Taylor

Author, Making Time Work For You

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Procrastination is one of the biggest time wasters that so many people fall victim to. Are you a procrastinator? Here's how to spot one - procrastinators typically:

If you see yourself in any of the above descriptions, then it's time to face your reality - stop procrastinating and commit to doing something to change the situation.

HOW TO STOP PROCRASTINATING

Most people procrastinate for one of two reasons: they view a particular task as either unpleasant or overwhelming. Procrastinating is a bad habit that is easy to fall into. The first step is to recognize that you have this habit - and then try to replace it with a good habit.

Let's look at an example - if you tend to put off filing, then make up your mind that you will spend 10 minutes at the end of each day filing your accumulated papers. Initially it will be difficult to muster up the willpower to keep this commitment, but after you have forced yourself to do it for 21 days or more, it will become a habit and will no longer require a high level of energy. It takes a long time to develop bad habits, so it makes sense that it will take some time and energy to replace them with good habits.

Another good tip is to chunk a task - no task is too large or overwhelming if you work on it a little at a time. For example, if you dream of writing a book one day...don't wait...write a couple of pages a day. Focus on the little chunks - the short term goals - added together these will become a major project.

TAKE ACTION

If you've been procrastinating about something - anything - determine why...is it an unpleasant task or an overwhelming one? What can you do to move forward? Now go do it!

Janet Stewart-Lussier

Member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers