Getting Things Done - How to Conquer Procrastination
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We all do it; we push the things we enjoy least to the bottom of our to-do
list. Day after day that list builds and builds. No matter how much you love
your business, there are always the mundane duties that you just can't stand to
do. Putting off these jobs allows them to multiply until the tasks seem
insurmountable, creating stress and anxiety. If you are one of the many
entrepreneurs who find themselves overwhelmed by dreaded duties, the following
tips may help you defeat the urge to procrastinate and finally get those tedious
tasks done:
1. Schedule these tasks early in your day. Decide how much time needs to be
spent on each task and mark it in your calendar or agenda. If they need to be
performed weekly, work on them first thing Monday morning. If they are daily
jobs, work on them first thing each day. Deciding to work on the functions you
enjoy least as early as possible will actually make your job more enjoyable. The
rest of the day or week will then be dedicated to carrying out the duties you
really enjoy. You will find yourself looking forward to your days instead of
feeling a sense of dread over the mounting piles of monotonous work.
2. Reward yourself. When you have completed these wearisome deeds, reward
yourself by taking a break, getting a coffee or having a snack. Knowing that
there is a treat coming when you finish may not make you enjoy these duties any
more, but it will likely give you the extra motivation to get the job done.
3. If the job seems huge, break it up. Divide the tasks into sections and
schedule 2 or 3 times throughout your day to work on them. After completing each
section, give yourself a little reward and move on to more enjoyable work. Be
sure to set some kind of alarm to remind you when it's time to get back to them,
or you may get carried away with doing the jobs you love.
4. Don't allow yourself to get distracted. While performing these despised
duties, it's very easy to become distracted by anything and everything. In fact,
you may find yourself looking for distractions to avoid this work. The more
focused you are, the faster you will complete these tasks and be finished with
them. During this time, don't check your email, chit chat with employees or
colleagues, and don't answer any personal phone calls.
5. Delegate. If you have employees, delegate some of these responsibilities
to them; that's what they are there for. If you don't have employees, or your
employees are as overwhelmed as you are, consider outsourcing. As a result of
today's advanced technologies, there are very few jobs that can't be outsourced.
Decide which task(s) you enjoy least and contract them to someone. There are
Virtual Assistants to handle administrative duties, Accountants and Bookkeepers
to manage financial functions, and there are even companies and individuals to
whom you can outsource sales duties.
Procrastination leads to stress and anxiety, but these can be easily avoided.
Don't allow the urge to procrastinate overcome your desire to run your business
efficiently. Following some or all of these simple steps may help you conquer
your inclination to delay performing dreaded duties, allow you to more
thoroughly enjoy your work day, and let you run your business more effectively.
Kelly Sims is a Virtual Assistant and Owner of Virtually There VA Services.
To find out more about virtual assistance and how using a Virtual Assistant can
simplify your life and increase your profitability, visit her website at =>
http://www.virtuallythereva.com . While you’re there, don’t forget to sign
up for her free monthly newsletter providing useful information that enhances
and simplifies the lives of busy entrepreneurs.
