Women Living On The Edge

Is Procrastination on Your "To Do" List?

No one is perfect and no one operates completely procrastination-free, every moment of every day.  However, you can spot a habitual procrastinator anywhere.  According to research at Cal Poly Tech, these are some common signs:

•  Procrastinators are often overly optimistic about completing complex tasks in little time
•  Thinks and says they work best under pressure
•  Easily distracted and loses focus when there is no urgency
•  Delayed start because they have a false sense that everything is under control, so there’s no need to jump into it immediately
•  When no progress has been made, they offer reassurance that everything is under control
•  Action driven by panic; the realization that everything is not under control
•  Scrambles at last minute, working hours on end to complete a project minutes before the deadline
The key is to discover the root cause of your procrastination, so you can correct it.  Most procrastination is commonly rooted in the following issues [1]:

Low self-confidence: When you’re feeling insecure about your ability to complete a task, you likely delay action to avoid feeling “stupid.”  The good news is that the more times you tackle a task head on – and are successful – the easier it is to stop procrastinating.
Perfectionist: You’re a perfectionist and nothing less than a stellar performance is acceptable.  Give yourself a break and let go of trying to be perfect. Considering your high standards, your best is probably far above par. Somewhere along the line, you tied perfectionism to acceptance, or love, and love should never be dependent upon performance…explore that issue.
Rebellion: Procrastination may be your way of expressing rebellion.  A sort of, “You can’t tell me what to do, I’ll do it when I’m good and ready” posturing.  This probably didn’t work when you tried to use it with your parents, or it did work and that’s why you use it as an adult. However, it will NOT work with your boss and if you’re an entrepreneur, it is self-sabotage at its best.
Manipulation: This is a common characteristic of an insecure co-worker or manager. It takes some personal growth to overcome and the realization that discounting the ability of others does not increase your own.  If you’re feeling insecure, return to school or take additional training.  When you expand your skill-set, you can stop feeling insecure about your value.
Coping with Pressure:  Procrastination may be a coping skill to deal with feeling overwhelmed.  You delay until you have the mental stability to perform the task or wait until the very last minute to start.  While this may certainly be the case some days, the important thing to remember is not to make a habit of it.  Delegate tasks temporarily or permanently to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

 •  Will you choose to begin reducing procrastinating in your life so you can enjoy even greater successes or will you continue to let procrastination hold you back from reaching your true potential? 
•  What has to happen next for you to stop allowing procrastination be your excuse? 

It’s easy to make excuses and it’s even easier to use those excuses to procrastinate.  With a little insight into why procrastination occurs, you may be able to reduce or completely eliminate it from your personal and professional life.

[1] California Polytechnic University. “Procrastination.” CalPoly Student Academic Services. http://sas.calpoly.edu/asc/ssl/procrastination.html (accessed October 1, 2009).

The Rule Book

I want an ice cream cone. Not a two scooper or what seems like a pint balanced precariously atop a fragile looking sugar cone. I want a kid-sized serving which is still entirely too much but at least it could resemble a portion in proportion. My request for less was denied. At this stand there were no small sizes on the menu and apparently no flexibility in responding to customer requests.

• When are rules really meant to be bent or broken?
• What is their purpose after all?
• Control?  Uniformity? Simplicity?

It wasn’t a question of cost, as I was willing to pay. It did not seem like a radical request and as a family owned business, isn’t responding to customer feedback important for continued success? Basic business principles would support listening to your patrons and perhaps modifying your method of delivery. So, where is the disconnect?

IS YOUR RULE BOOK WRITTEN IN CONCRETE OR SAND?

If you are a business owner or entrepreneur yourself, how willing are you to look at your operations with fresh eyes? Often times we put systems in place, get them up and running and promptly forget to revisit the process again. We become comfortable and may only pay attention when something breaks down. Is too much “ice cream” making you complacent or do you need to change places and be the client/customer for the day!
• How curious are you?
• Compose one inquiry that would open up new conversation
• Remember, if you ask the question of your client/customer, staff and more, be prepared for the  answer and accompanying follow-up

 
© 2011 Maureen Weisner

Control is an Illusion

 “You cannot control the wind, but you can adjust your sails!”

I’m not a sailor; I’m not familiar with the nautical lingo and barely missed being knocked overboard by the boom coming through. (Who knew that “Lower the boom” was not just an expression?) I can, however, appreciate the awareness and flexibility of those skilled at the helm as they focus on the mechanics of operation while I tighten the straps of my life vest. There is beauty in this ballet at sea as the wind is indeed the “engine” moving the boat along in concert with the sailor who engages it. On board everyone is involved in some manner by taking direction, shifting position or moving out of the way. Sometimes it is a speedy ride and other times it can be a struggle to get anywhere. Sometimes there is no wind at all and you are left floating in the stillness of the river.

• What do you do when you are forced to slow down?
• Frantically seek a fix?
• What do you do when faced with an unexpected change?
• Dig in deeper or step back to refocus?

We are all experienced “sailors” in some fashion, perhaps not on water exactly, but in life’s situations. We cannot always control what happens. What we do have control over is how we respond.  Experience teaches us that some things are salvageable and sometimes from the very worst chaos, from the least likely place, opportunity is revealed.

• What might you be missing?
• Which way is the wind really blowing?
• Who can you bring on board to create a solution?

©2011 Maureen Weisner

 

Actor or Reactor?

The Actor: Are you a “player”, the take charge, decisive, creative and forward thinking woman with a10-year plan on her home page? Are you prepared for any emergency, ready to exchange your clothes for a cape and tights in a phone booth at a moment’s notice? (Good luck finding a phone booth!) Are you the professional woman, wife, mother, sister, friend and colleague who is the principle resource for everyone? You are officially on notice because we hate/love you and this internal conflict makes us uncomfortable.

The Reactor: Are you a “responder”, checking the weather report before you continue? Does the forecast determine your plan of action or inaction? Does it require a committee decision to proceed or have you been victimized again by something out of your control? Are you so pre-occupied with what is happening or might happen that you are overwhelmed by the circumstances? You too are officially on notice because we know that your desire to contribute or initiate has been squelched and we want more of you to show up front and center.

Trust or lack thereof appears to be a key element for the actor and for the reactor. It is not always necessary to be at the head of the line, nor is it in our best interest to consistently bring up the rear. In fact, many of us operate somewhere in the middle based on the circumstance and relationship. However, without an assigned role, you can experiment and enjoy the benefits that new behaviors may bring. Freedom and flexibility are two that come to mind immediately.

Are you more often an actor or reactor?
• Notice your automatic response to a request or situation
• What were your thoughts? Judgements?
• Count to 10 before taking action
• What’s different?

©2010 Maureen Weisner