creating sustainable results in growth and performance
Let's question the assumption that we need to get rid of all our
procrastinating.
Rational procrastination' is good for us. It occurs when there is no time
pressure, you are likely to discover more information, the situation
itself may improve, or you feel that mulling over a challenge might help
you solve it. Calvin Coolidge (a former president of the US) called it
'calculated inactivity'.
We need some level of procrastination to balance the
"ready, shoot, aim" mentality that surrounds us. Let's get curious about
how procrastination might benefit us.
Incubation: Often, our intuition needs more time to incubate on a certain
issue before we act. Many people learn that if they sleep on major
decisions or difficult issues, they will typically come out with better
solutions. I find that what I used to label procrastination in my own
behavior was often the incubation time necessary to allow my
creative juices to bubble sufficiently. But how long is long enough? You
never know until the idea finds you.
Waiting for Energy: Sometimes, when you have a big job to do, you may not
have the kind of energy you need to tackle it and get it done. I often
find that when I put things off until the last minute, the energy surge I
get from the charge of adrenaline caused by being up against an almost
impossible deadline gives me the boost to not just get the job done, but
do it with excellence. Some people find that they can force risk by
pushing deadlines and that their best work often occurs under self-imposed
pressure.
One word of caution. If you constantly push your deadlines, you can burn
out both yourself and others on your team. It's easy to become addicted to
your own adrenaline and become unable to work effectively unless you are
in the midst of a crisis. This is not a healthy life-style, and it can
lead to long-term health problems. So proceed with caution.
Better Brain Waves: A shift in brain waves takes place when you are
working in the wee hours of the morning. Have you ever found that the work
or writing you do between 2:00 and 5:00 A.M. is much better than you can
ever imagine yourself doing during regular working hours? I recall, when I
was in school, making some of my best grades on papers that were written
at the last moment during all-nighters.
Although it is a no-no to most people, deep fatigue can block the logic of
traditional thinking and solutions. Some people find that they are far
more likely to generate totally fresh, creative work during their second
wind. The author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll, and
other famous authors are known to have worked through many sleepless
nights to generate the fantasies and intriguing stories that have lived on
as timeless treasures. We must balance the potential benefits of
late-night work with the downside-bleary eyes and gallons of caffeine.
Intuition Speaking: Some procrastination is our intuition telling us that
this task may not be worth doing. Rather than jumping in and doing it
right now, give it a couple of days to see if it is still a top priority.
We have noticed that with client information changing so quickly, we
actually can save time by holding off on some requests.
Although detours caused by outside forces, such as added clients or
unexpected requests for new program designs, are challenging because they
are not anticipated, they can also lead to better customer relations,
improved services, and innovations. Sharon Melville, vice president of
corporate services for Career Development Services, Rochester,
New York,
tells us:
"On our work plan (which we are rigorous about keeping updated) there is
a page called 'Unexpected Detours' following each section. In today's
world, one must allow for these. We reward flexibility by documenting what
happened and what we did. This also helps us recognize those people who
have flexible attitudes and are willing to pitch in to make a project
work. We need people who thrive on change, can handle the unexpected, and
work well in teams. We place a high value on this in our organization. "
Enlist the help of others: When you are a solo act, you limit what you
can do.
But when you make personal shifts so that you can participate in
whole-brained planning, you attract the support of other people who are
strong where you are not. You can accomplish more because of the synergy
of the group and can focus on expanding your gifts instead of staying
stuck in your blind spots and weaknesses.
If
you find that you typically ignore your plans and frustrate your family
and co-workers because you plan with them, only to go in an opposite
direction, forgive yourself! You are classically divergent in this trait.
Knowing the reasons for your behavior helps. You do not have a fatal flaw
in your character. You are not a terrible person because you don't like
to follow through on your projects. Instead, you are a source of
creativity, fresh ideas, and energy. When you know the causes of your
actions, you can see ways to achieve greater satisfaction from the tasks
you complete and find ways to work more harmoniously with others.
Invite those around you to remind you gently when you frustrate them by
not honoring mutual plans. The "gently" part is critical. If others pound
on you for your "failures," it is likely to trigger rebellion and
resentment. You might suggest to them that it is easier for you to
cooperate and return to a convergent plan if they can encourage and
invite, rather than accuse and blame. Ask for what you want in advance and
let others know when their positive encouragement helps you.
With thanks to Ann McGee-Cooper’s “Time Management for Unmanageable
People”
For the Top Ten Time Management Strategies send an email
to te@futurevisions.org
with "MWS Time Management Top Ten"
in the subject and nothing in the body
