Silent Killer: Procrastination!

This morning a longtime client of ours made a bold statement about someone we've both worked with in the past.  In essence she exclaimed that the individual we were referring to was lazy.  I thought about her words for a split second before I responded- "He's not lazy, he just procrastinates."  After the words slipped through my lips we both sat quietly on the phone for a few seconds before she replied "You're right!  That's exactly what he does."  Since that conversation I have thought about by own shortcomings and those I witness in the professional and personal efforts of individuals around me.  Sometimes people come off as lazy when the fact is that they work very hard they just procrastinate in the process.  It only appears that they are lazy simply because they wait until the last minute to do the work that needs to be done. At the last minute they then throw all of their energy into trying to get it done.  We call them lazy because too often procrastinated work is not the best work.  It usually looks last minute and pieced together.  It looks unfinished.  It is disappointing.  With that said we owe it to ourselves, our colleagues, and our customers to practice better time management skills so that we do not end up procrastinating until the last minute.  Procrastination kills companies.  Procrastination kills careers.  Procrastination kills relationships.  Procrastination kills ministries.  No one will want to work with you or hire you if you make their work feel like an afterthought.  Whenever you have a big project or task to do the first thing you should do is develop a plan of action outlining the steps you need to take to reach your goal.  Next, you should set realistic time points noting when each part of the task will be completed.  If at some point along the way you realize that you will be unable to complete the work at the time that you indicated make sure that you inform them AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  It is better to inform them early so that they can regroup.  If you wait to the last moment not only will you will be frustrated but so will those working with you.  Also make sure that you don't bite off more than you can chew.  It is better to tell people no than over commit and drop the ball.  Additionally, it is also great to keep your colleagues and clients informed as to what you are doing and where you are as you work on their projects.  This makes them less anxious and helps you hold yourself more accountable.  No matter how busy you are- Don't procrastinate!  Start being a better manager of your time today! - Derek A. Terry, Principal Consultant www.ConsultingDAT.com