Today's most important task

Robert Gerrish

A couple of weeks ago I received an email from Michael, an internet specialist. In it, he described a problem he was having with that old chestnut, procrastination.

I’ve chopped his words a little - procrastinators tend to run on a bit as you might expect – so here’s the gist of what he had to say:

"I always find that I say to myself, ‘I'll work on that important task later after I’ve quickly done this unimportant task’."

Predictably, what happens is that Michael fails to address the important task during normal work time and so allocates the only time left available, the ‘after-hours’ period.

And guess what? "I get to the end of the day, think in a split second about my promise and flick it to first thing tomorrow."

And so the cycle continues. Another supposed priority gets set aside and the people of the Procrasti Nation welcome another convert.

So, what to do?

For me the solution has to do with setting aside dedicated time to work on priorities. Time blocked out in your diary and not released for anything that doesn’t involve blue flashing lights.

Steven R. Covey – he of Seven Habits fame - has a wonderful story to illustrate the importance and method of handling priorities and I’ve posted a link to it via a comment.

But what have you got to say to Michael? Have you suffered the same inertia and what did you do about it? Share your experiences and learn from others below.

Until next week.

Love your work,

Robert Gerrish is Flying Solo’s managing director and founder and works as a business coach, professional speaker, business commentator and consultant. He’s the co-author of Flying Solo – How to go it alone in business.

23 comments | Add your own 1 2 3 4 | Next» View all»

Here's the link I mention above:
http://www.alistapart.com/articles/pickle/
Although the author has not attributed the concept to Steven R. Covey, there's little doubt he popularised the rocks and pebbles analogy. It's a good read. Robert Gerrish from Flying Solo | Read my articles
Peter Crocker from Flying Solo gave the best bit of advice I've heard about facing procrasination - "Eat Your Frog!"
Once you get that out of the way, you're free to direct your energy and attention to everything else. Just get it over and done with! lol
Eat up the most unpalatable job/priority and it's all easy sailing after that.
Cheryl Long from Melbourne, Australia
Yes, it was a good read, even if I'd seen such ideas before. I've just got broadband (wasn't available where I live before) and I'm so much more productive that I've got time to make the phone calls I would have procrastinated about, and actually get articles written before the deadlines, rather than the night before. It's a factor of time management that I didn't have before. Checking emails or uploading or downloading is suddenly not something which dominates my day. Hooray! Sue from Eureka, NZ
There's only one trick to overcoming procrastination (she says, posting on the Flying Solo website instead of working) - and that's to be strict with yourself. When you find yourself saying 'Oh, I'll just do this little unimportant task first' - you simply have to pull yourself up and say 'No, self! You're just trying to trick me into getting nothing done again today! It's not going to be that way!' - and do what you have to do. Make sure you reward yourself when you accomplish things. The best way I've ever heard of of splitting up your priorities is to use the 80/20 rule - 20% of the effort yields 80% of results. So, write yourself a list of ten things to do each and every day - and choose the top 2 that would give you the best results if you got them done immediately. If you start working on the other 8 you're getting into the realm of diminishing returns.
Leela Cosgrove - http://www.leelacosgrove.com Leela Cosgrove from Melbourne, Australia
How timely! I had a 'big ugly frog' job to do today and was going to put it off until I after had done all the things I liked. Instead I decided to get it out of the way first. After doing it I read your newsletter and can comfortably feel self righteous. I am a bit of a time management freak and spend time each day identifying the real priorities. I love nothing better than checking them off my list as I knock them over. Kellie Mills from Newcastle
I would suggest a short meditation each morning before starting the working day, even 5 mins of focused breathing can make a huge difference to how we react and act on our doings. If that does not work, make a list each morning and stick to it, ticking or crossing off as you go!!
Have fun... Dan Day from www.shoeboxcreative.com

23 comments | Add your own 1 2 3 4 | Next» View all»

Add Your comments

Preview comment

Name

Website *

Town / city and country

Email (never sold, displayed or given away)

* This will link your name to your site. So please avoid self promotion elsewhere! We delete spam, disrespectful or off-topic comments.