| 1) You just don't want to do it. | | | | outline. I write down all the areas I want to cover. |
| Sometimes there are tasks we just don't want | | | | Then I look at what areas I already know well |
| to do. There are three ways to overcome this: | | | | and where I might want to do some research. I |
| do it, hire someone else to do it, remove it from | | | | research what I need to and then start writing. |
| your list. | | | | Another idea that you may find helpful is to start |
| First, decide if it's something that really has to be | | | | by setting a deadline and then working backwards |
| done. If it's your monthly book-keeping, it's | | | | from that deadline. |
| essential. If it's cold calling it may not be essential. | | | | 5) It requires an action step you aren't ready for. |
| Can you cross it off your list? | | | | Get clear about why you aren't ready. You need |
| Next, if it does have to be done, can you hire it | | | | to either cross it off your list for now so it's not |
| out? Get a virtual assistant, intern, or other helper | | | | looming over you and discouraging you when it's |
| to finish the task for you. | | | | not complete, or you need to figure out why you |
| If you can't hire it out and you can't cross it off | | | | aren't moving forward on it so that you can deal |
| your list, you're going to have to just get it done. | | | | with whatever is stopping you and move past it. |
| Try one of these methods: - Make it your first | | | | 6) Distractions surround you. |
| task of the day and work at it until it's done. - | | | | For women working from home this is often a |
| Break it up into manageable pieces. - Reward | | | | real challenge that results in procrastination. I can |
| yourself when it's complete. | | | | get more done in one hour of peace than in four |
| 2) You haven't found the right solution yet. | | | | hours of distracted work time. If distraction is a |
| If a task on your list is getting done because | | | | problem you need to find a way to work around |
| you're not sure how to do it, here are three | | | | it. |
| ideas: | | | | If you have very young children at home with |
| - Start at Google and do your research. | | | | you, plan your work time during nap time, late |
| - Purchase an info product to help you (this may | | | | night, or early morning. Or find a trustworthy |
| be a good idea to help you get it done more | | | | mother's helper. |
| quickly and make fewer mistakes if you find a | | | | With older children you can often barter. Have a |
| quality info product). | | | | family meeting and explain that for the next hour |
| - Ask your mastermind group, peers, or other | | | | Mommy will need quiet time to work, and then |
| resource people for their suggestions. It only | | | | when that hour is finished you'll all do some fun |
| takes a minute to post online or send out an | | | | project together. Make it something your kids |
| email. | | | | enjoy doing (craft project, building legos, |
| 3) You don't have the expertise to finish the | | | | whatever they love to do with you) so that they'll |
| project. | | | | look forward to it. When your hour is up, stay |
| When a task you begin morphs into something | | | | true to your word and give your kids that time |
| much bigger or more involved than you expected | | | | completely focused on them. |
| it's okay to find help. Go ahead and find someone | | | | If the distractions come in the form of a spouse... |
| who can assist you. It'll be easier than dealing with | | | | you'll need to have a family meeting to address |
| yet more frustration, the job will be done quicker, | | | | your work time, and come up with some |
| and you'll be able to focus on your business again. | | | | boundaries that feel fair to everyone. |
| 4) It's overwhelming and you aren't sure where | | | | Other distractions can be eliminated. Close your |
| to begin. | | | | email. Put the phone on silent and let it go to |
| This is actually one of the easiest procrastination | | | | voicemail. Focus exclusively on the project you've |
| reasons to overcome. You just need a plan! Break | | | | been putting off. |
| up that task into smaller tasks that you can | | | | I hope these 6 strategies help you to overcome |
| spread out. How do you climb a mountain? One | | | | whatever you've been procrastinating. Just think |
| step at a time. So split the task into steps. | | | | how great you'll feel when you can sit back and |
| When I write an info product I start with the | | | | relax, knowing the project or task is complete! |