The Anatomy of Procrastination: Why Do I Procrastinate?
by Kevin Hogan
Page 3
Consider these examples of classic procrastination:
John – John is a very bright man who by rights should be in a management position in a research firm.
His skill and intellect is well-respected and yet he cannot get out of the lower level research levels.
Why?
Because he can never meet a deadline. In spite of numerous chances and understanding managers, John is hopefully frozen in time.
He makes grand plans to finish his book and to document the research plan he wants to get approved, but he never finishes anything.
His family and wife have lost patience with what they perceive as apathy when, in fact, John is very frustrated.
He says he would change the situation if he could!
Danielle – Danielle is trying to complete her doctorate and has postponed it several times because she just can’t seem to get the work done.
She says that she works better under pressure, but when she waits until the last minute to do the work, she is unhappy with the results.
She often gets sick just at the wrong time, when something is due and again she misses a deadline.
She finds it hard to concentrate and is prone to insomnia when the pressure is on, but still she cannot change her ways.
For both of these people, habitual procrastination has become a nightmare that affects their health, their relationships and their success.
Yet, neither John or Danielle knows how to change their situation.
Does this sound familiar to you?
If so, you’ll be pleased to know that I am going to give you some techniques and options you can use to stop procrastination and start achieving!
Stop Procrastinating
By analyzing your own style and reasons for procrastination, you can choose the techniques you feel will work best in your situation.
Remember, the list I showed you above for the possible issues at the heart of your procrastination?
Let’s start by looking at some of the ways you can address these issues:
Issue: Motivation
Problem: You feel this project is irrelevant and has no meaning for you.
Solution: Find a way to make this project more interesting, delegate it to someone else if that is appropriate OR negotiate a reward or result with the person who assigned the task.
Issue: Training
Problem: You feel you do not have the training or knowledge to accomplish this project, or you are uncertain about taking on something you have not done before.
Solution: Be sure you fully understand the outcome everyone expects. If you need help, get support, advice, guidance or training from someone who is expert or better educated in this area.
Issue: Standards
Problem: You are afraid you will not perform on the project perfectly.
Solution: Analyze just how important the project is and determine how critical it is to strive for perfection. Consider what you would expect of a friend, or co-worker if they were performing on the project. Is perfection necessary, or even possible?
Issue: Obligations
Problem: You may not be able to fulfill all of your obligations because you have so much to do.
Solution: Try to renegotiate deadlines or schedules so that you can prioritize your tasks and get everything done on time.
Issue: Assumptions
Problem: You believe that if you avoid or ignore the project it will evaporate. You assume that it will take less time or effort to accomplish.
Solution: Accept that the project must be accomplished and establish a written plan to ‘chunk’ the items into smaller pieces with milestones to progress toward the end goal. Put reasonable times to each of these milestones and then revaluate the timeline for completing the entire task.
Issue: Fear
Problem: You are worried about how others may evaluate or judge you.
Solution: Consider the true impact on your life. Will this task really be so important that others will scrutinize the outcome and are they really likely to care all that much about the results and judge you harshly?
Issue: Avoidance
Problem: You just hate doing this kind of stuff.
Solution: Can you find a way to make it tolerable or give yourself a reward when you have completed the task to give you something to which you can look forward? Do it before anything else and just get it out of the way.
Circle the issues you feel apply to you and use them later for your Personal Plan to Prevent Procrastination!
Continue: Page | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 
Kevin Hogan
Network 3000 Publishing
3432 Denmark #108
Eagan, MN 55123
(612) 616-0732
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