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Contents - June 2005
Reading time for the main article in this newsletter is under 5 minutes
WHAT'S NEW
This month not quite as many new things as last month... well how do you TOP a site launch?
I have however added to the resources section and updated the subscription page so make sure you forward this on to as many friends as possible, it is now easier to subscribe from online!
In the resources section you will find my article on Emotional Freedom Technique which was mentioned last newsletter. I got so many requests on email that I decided it was best just to put it up there! I will also be bringing your an audio stream of my recent interview with Leith FM so please watch out for that this month. There will be further details of more radio appearances over the next two months so if you're in Edinburgh keep your eyes peeled to the site and your dials tuned in!
Happy reading...
Namaste.
MD
THE ART OF PROCRASTINATION
- Can putting it off help you pull it off?
I have found in my own work that there are three steps to dealing with "getting stuff done" that makes it fun and empowering!
- Acknowledge and recognise your internal procrastinator
- Cut yourself some slack
- Do the Fun things First to set yourself up for a happy & successful day
Often when discussing a particular goal with a client we come across that oh so human barrier called procrastination. You know it, you feel it, you can see it happening before your own eyes. The internal dialogue goes something like this:
"I really should get my newsletter written today..." [well I'm not shy of using myself as an example]
[Procrastinator] "ooooh.... how about we read some other coach's newsletter... that might be interesting inspiration"
"darn it, I've spent an hour reading other people's newsletters... and none of them were about procrastination... time to get started on mine..."
[Procrastinator] "is it lunch-time already? I can't do anything while I'm hungry..."
"ahhh that was nice. NOW I can get started..."
[Procrastinator] "but you've got a meeting this afternoon about your new training course, you need to prep for that..."
There are a number of different procrastination strategies in the example above and you have many more yourself. I like to ask my clients to imagine I have to take over from them while they go on holiday, so they had better explain in a lot of detail exactly how they are able to procrastinate. They write a list... a long list.
EXERCISE: Take five minutes to write down as long a list as you can of all the different ways you put things off. Stick it up on the wall next to your computer. hehehehe... there is no ignoring them now!
WOW... that's pretty cool isn't it? How long is your list? Are there any particularly clever ones in there? Acknowledge and recognise when you spot yourself doing one of these items.
One of the given "wisdoms" about busting procrastination is that we should make lists and prioritise. Stephen Covey's "7 Habits..." advocates a matrix of
(1) Important and Urgent
(2) Important but not Urgent
(3) Urgent but not Important
and (you still with me?)
(4) not urgent and not important
[isn't it funny how all "strategies" come in four by four matrices]
OK I'm sure many of you have a similar To Do List strategy... and what is your definition of important? of urgent? Is it that you really SHOULD get this done? Is it that someone else is waiting on you because they think it's important? Is it that someone will die if you don't get this done [WOW.. that IS important]
One of my excellent trainers, Michael Neill, recommends re-evaluating your (1)s. Is there a "real-world consequence" of not doing it? If not then cut yourself some slack, realise you may not do this until you really have to and therefore it should really be a (2). You're setting yourself up to fail because if it doesn't have a REAL world consequence, your procrastinator will likely win out!
Do you normally get most stuff done, but just feel bad and stressed at the time? Perhaps you could PLAN on not doing it until you really need to? You know you'll get it done, isn't that what would have happened in any case, it's just that this time you won't feel all the associated guilt of "not having done it earlier" nor will all the other days on which you didn't get it done feel like failures.
Exercise: Look at the tasks you are currently beating yourself up for not getting done. Which category are they in? Do your (1)s REALLY have REAL world consequences. Adjust your list while cutting yourself some slack
I have recently found this an excellent strategy to combine with another way of looking at your to do list...
First things first? or Fun things First? If I do something that is fun first I am far more likely to achieve that fun thing and therefore kick-off my day with Success... however if I choose one of my (1)s (which is really a (2)) AND it's not fun... what is my likelihood of success? Will this affect my performance for the rest of the day... starting out on something I set myself up to fail?
Exercise: Start EVERY day this week doing one thing on your to do list that is fun (or at least the most enjoyable thing you can do!) [If you don't have anything fun on your list, then pick something useful but fun and put it on your list... gees... stop being so hard on yourself!]
So get in touch with your inner procrastinator, cut yourself some slack, acknowledge the things you are likely to procrastinate on, plan on that happening and do something fun first.
Sometimes putting it off can help you pull off the rest of the day...
ABOUT My Life Coach Online
My Life Coach Online is run by me, Martin Dowson. It is my internet front door/shop window for clients, friends and visitors alike. The web site has an overview of my approach, the benefits of working with me and it also has a resources area full of useful links, hints, tips and reading lists. You can use these resources to find your own path to learning about the different topics discussed in this newsletter. There are also links to the various training organisations that I have enjoyed in my own personal development.
Future plans will include a daily tips section, discussion forums, online/recorded interviews with me and other famous coaches, and a private client section for my one-on-one clients.
Any and all suggestions are welcomed... You can get in contact with me personally through the site or reach me on martin@mylifecoach-online.com
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."
Anatole France
1844-1924