Time is precious; it is the one thing in life that you cannot get back. It makes sense then that you use your time wisely, whether that be in your personal or professional life. Managing time effectively will allow you to get the most out of life. However, one of the biggest hurdles in time management is procrastination – ‘the action of delaying or postponing something.’
You may have heard the saying, ‘why put off till tomorrow, what you can do today?’ This is exactly what is meant by procrastinating. Those who find it difficult to overcome their tendency to avoid attempting or completing certain tasks usually find that specific areas of their life suffer as a result. In a business setting, procrastination really is the enemy of success.
Fortunately, there are countless time management strategies that can help, as well as many software solutions offered by companies such as LiquidPlanner. Indeed, the use of such software solutions allow for improved organizational skills among all employees.
Changing the Way Procrastinators Think
In a recent article in the Star Tribune, om time-management guru Wanda N. Walker offers the lowdown on overcoming procrastination. She has been helping people for more than 30 years through her company Uniquely
Yours Consulting.
Walker explained that many individuals tend to get in their own way when it comes to meeting both personal and professional goals. This is why she works so hard helping others try to avoid this tendency. In a series of questions and answers in the article, she related how September is a particularly common month for procrastination as it usually involves a time transition for many. Think a return to school after summer recess or work after vacation.
When asked if everyone procrastinates, she said that everyone does from time to time, even those who are highly organized. Interestingly, she admitted that it is rare for people to be procrastinators in all areas of their lives.
Laziness or Fear?
Walker also spoke about how she believes that despite what many people think, procrastination is not actually a symptom of laziness. It is more about fear and a belief of ‘falling short.’ She noted that for some individuals it is more about wanting to be perfect. Many of these people believe that if they cannot complete a job to perfection, they would rather not attempt it at all.
Implementing Time Management Strategies
One of the recommendations in the piece is starting small and focusing on one thing at a time. This is a common time management strategy that can help with organization and efficiency. It is great advice as professional procrastination can, for example, lead to negative consequences that can include formal warnings, missing out on a promotion, or even job loss.
Learning how to manage your time will help in all areas of life. By becoming more focused on the things you need to do means finding it easier to make positive decisions and having a greater chance of success. This mantra applies to business owners as well.
Much time is lost in business and as we all know, time is money. If as a business owner you can implement certain time management strategies, you will maximize profits and help drive your company forward. Both project and time management solutions can help you get the most from your employees and your business.
If you have been delaying making such an investment, remember that procrastination is indeed the enemy of success. Improving the way your people work will help you to reap the rewards; it will also help improve confidence and staff morale.