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Casual Articles - Small Business Spoiler - Procrastination
One of the certain aspects of working life is that unexpectedly you can be assigned a project to do. In fact if you are building a business of your own you will have long-term projects that are essential to its profitable development.But in order to ensure the smooth and successful running of your business it's vital to have efficient systems in place to deal with these projects. Most of them will have deadlines for completion at some point in the future. But it is how you deal with these deadlines that will determine how efficient you are at managing your business.The simple thing to do is to schedule the project in your diary for perhaps a few days before the completion date, even if it is several weeks away. This is a big mistake!In order to effectively control your time you
Are you a procrastinator? How is procrastination impacting your business success?
Consider the following questions:
• What are the mechanisms/reasons/excuses you use to block your success? – i.e. over-promising and under-delivering, time management, poor marketing, negative self-talk?
• What do you tell yourself (and others) to make your procrastinating behavior, okay?
• Have you really made the decision to be successful?
• What beliefs do you have about success? Are they
It's natural for many of us in the healthcare industry to want to help others. It's why we do what we do. We know that the more people we serve, the better and/or healthier their lives can be. To some of us that means growing our businesses so we can reach more people. The way we do that is through marketing.Over the years I've written at least once about many marketing methods most businesses use; web sites, sales letters, post cards, blogs, referrals, patient retention, public relations, networking, word of mouth marketing and more.There is one, more non-tangible aspect to marketing that is worth discussing. Your involvement in your community. Even more so, your position as a leader in your community.I am not recommending you get involved in your community just to market your
As human beings, we are adept at creating convincing language that allows us to rationalize taking specific action or not taking action. We become masterful in presenting a logical sounding viewpoint that successfully defends our position to procrastinate. In this way, we give ourselves permission to step into avoidance, despite the results we say we want!
Having a game plan with action steps can foster procrastination. Over time we develop an automatic patterned response to change, convinced that what we are doing is moving us forward. In reality, we’re just playing the same old game, creating the illusion of moving forward. Bottom line – get real by getting honest with yourself.
As a small business owner do you:
1. Keep saying you’re going to do something and don’t follow through? Saying one thing and doing something else? The intended action continues to exist in the future as a goal, always out of reach without being fully actualized. The dangling carrot.
2. Prioritize other things first before you can get to what you say you really want? Somehow the starting time keeps getting pushed back. Are you a yesbutter? Yes, I want this but.. Yes I’m excited to get going on this, but… yes but…, yes but
3. Overextend (over commit) so much of your time you never quite get to some things because you’re too busy? Some people think scheduling is just a time management problem. In actuality, it’s about making better decisions in how you allocate your time. What do you always manage to fit in despite all the busyness?
I could go on citing examples.
Working with more than 1500 people over the last 17 years, I have often found fear at the root of procrastination. Fear of failure/success, change, unknown, can be power-full drivers to avoid taking action. The first hurdle to address may be in recognizing patterns of procrastination. People can become so proficient in rationalizing avoidance they lack the clarity to see the creative forms of this behavior. Furthermore; self-defeating behavior is caused by self-defeating attitudes. Identifying internal attitudes and assumptions is a key element in fully dismantling self-defeating behavior.
Common objections to justify procrastination:
1. I can't! I'm too fearful! I'm not strong enough! Is that really true? (Or is this your drama?) Can’t??? Try won’t – life is about making choices.
2. I can't afford to! How often do you use money as an excuse to deny having something you need? Is there a cost to you to NOT take action? If there is a cost, at what point is the cost too high a price to pay? Consider short/long term value for a questionable investment.
3. I don't have time! How much time is needed to take one step? What changes can you make to open up some time?
4. Now is not a good time! It’s not the right time! When is? What would the right time look like?
5. I'm not ready! What needs to change for you to become ready? What does being ready look like?
6. It's too hard/too big! What smaller steps or ways of looking at it will make it more manageable/attainable? What support/help is available?
Procrastination means you never have to commit to an action make a mistake, fail/succeed, take a stand on reaching a goal (take responsibility to make things happen) change your life or yourself. You may make some progress, but continue to hold yourself back. Progress occurs at a controlled, manageable pace, enough to keep you interested and wanting more - but always short of reaching your heart’s full desire.
Are you a procrastinator? How is procrastination impacting your business success?
Consider the following questions:
• What are the mechanisms/reasons/excuses you use to block your success? – i.e. over-promising and under-delivering, time management, poor marketing, negative self-talk?
• What do you tell yourself (and others) to make your procrastinating behavior, okay?
• Have you really made the decision to be successful?
• What beliefs do you have about success? Are they t
Many a guru has opined on the keys to business success. While everyone has an opinion, I am going to focus on a more practical step you can take that will make a big difference.So, what is this magical step? It is to find a good accountant. Not exactly what you were expecting, eh? Well, it is true. A good accountant can save you a ton of money. A decent accountant can save you a bit of money. Not having any accountant can end up costing you a bundle.So, what is a “good” accountant? To give you an answer, we must first discuss the role you need the accountant to take. Any accountant can prepare a tax return. That is not what we are talking about in this article. There are really two types of accountants – reactive and proactive. Proactive accountants are what you are looking for to hel
As a small business owner do you:
1. Keep saying you’re going to do something and don’t follow through? Saying one thing and doing something else? The intended action continues to exist in the future as a goal, always out of reach without being fully actualized. The dangling carrot.
2. Prioritize other things first before you can get to what you say you really want? Somehow the starting time keeps getting pushed back. Are you a yesbutter? Yes, I want this but.. Yes I’m excited to get going on this, but… yes but…, yes but
3. Overextend (over commit) so much of your time you never quite get to some things because you’re too busy? Some people think scheduling is just a time management problem. In actuality, it’s about making better decisions in how you allocate your time. What do you always manage to fit in despite all the busyness?
I could go on citing examples.
Working with more than 1500 people over the last 17 years, I have often found fear at the root of procrastination. Fear of failure/success, change, unknown, can be power-full drivers to avoid taking action. The first hurdle to address may be in recognizing patterns of procrastination. People can become so proficient in rationalizing avoidance they lack the clarity to see the creative forms of this behavior. Furthermore; self-defeating behavior is caused by self-defeating attitudes. Identifying internal attitudes and assumptions is a key element in fully dismantling self-defeating behavior.
Common objections to justify procrastination:
1. I can't! I'm too fearful! I'm not strong enough! Is that really true? (Or is this your drama?) Can’t??? Try won’t – life is about making choices.
2. I can't afford to! How often do you use money as an excuse to deny having something you need? Is there a cost to you to NOT take action? If there is a cost, at what point is the cost too high a price to pay? Consider short/long term value for a questionable investment.
3. I don't have time! How much time is needed to take one step? What changes can you make to open up some time?
4. Now is not a good time! It’s not the right time! When is? What would the right time look like?
5. I'm not ready! What needs to change for you to become ready? What does being ready look like?
6. It's too hard/too big! What smaller steps or ways of looking at it will make it more manageable/attainable? What support/help is available?
Procrastination means you never have to commit to an action make a mistake, fail/succeed, take a stand on reaching a goal (take responsibility to make things happen) change your life or yourself. You may make some progress, but continue to hold yourself back. Progress occurs at a controlled, manageable pace, enough to keep you interested and wanting more - but always short of reaching your heart’s full desire.
Are you a procrastinator? How is procrastination impacting your business success?
Consider the following questions:
• What are the mechanisms/reasons/excuses you use to block your success? – i.e. over-promising and under-delivering, time management, poor marketing, negative self-talk?
• What do you tell yourself (and others) to make your procrastinating behavior, okay?
• Have you really made the decision to be successful?
• What beliefs do you have about success? Are they
Erupting from the mind are often debates of challenges and issues plaguing mankind. Caught up in the sound and fury you can hear folks get worked up, by the mass media hysteria as they spar with jaded opinions jousting one another. Of course at the Online Think Tank cooler heads prevail and indeed the topics are highly intellectual spanning subjects in nearly every domain.Recently the topic came up with regards to patent piracy of Computer Software and Hardware. One Think Tanker asked in so many words; Is Silicon Valley Over Charging for The Products They Produce?Well, in a way they are over charging, so that all the players get paid; R and D, Venture Capitalists, Entrepreneurs and workers with a outrageous cost of living there (micro-economic disaster). But remember the costs to prod
I could go on citing examples.
Working with more than 1500 people over the last 17 years, I have often found fear at the root of procrastination. Fear of failure/success, change, unknown, can be power-full drivers to avoid taking action. The first hurdle to address may be in recognizing patterns of procrastination. People can become so proficient in rationalizing avoidance they lack the clarity to see the creative forms of this behavior. Furthermore; self-defeating behavior is caused by self-defeating attitudes. Identifying internal attitudes and assumptions is a key element in fully dismantling self-defeating behavior.
Common objections to justify procrastination:
1. I can't! I'm too fearful! I'm not strong enough! Is that really true? (Or is this your drama?) Can’t??? Try won’t – life is about making choices.
2. I can't afford to! How often do you use money as an excuse to deny having something you need? Is there a cost to you to NOT take action? If there is a cost, at what point is the cost too high a price to pay? Consider short/long term value for a questionable investment.
3. I don't have time! How much time is needed to take one step? What changes can you make to open up some time?
4. Now is not a good time! It’s not the right time! When is? What would the right time look like?
5. I'm not ready! What needs to change for you to become ready? What does being ready look like?
6. It's too hard/too big! What smaller steps or ways of looking at it will make it more manageable/attainable? What support/help is available?
Procrastination means you never have to commit to an action make a mistake, fail/succeed, take a stand on reaching a goal (take responsibility to make things happen) change your life or yourself. You may make some progress, but continue to hold yourself back. Progress occurs at a controlled, manageable pace, enough to keep you interested and wanting more - but always short of reaching your heart’s full desire.
Are you a procrastinator? How is procrastination impacting your business success?
Consider the following questions:
• What are the mechanisms/reasons/excuses you use to block your success? – i.e. over-promising and under-delivering, time management, poor marketing, negative self-talk?
• What do you tell yourself (and others) to make your procrastinating behavior, okay?
• Have you really made the decision to be successful?
• What beliefs do you have about success? Are they
Every business should learn about the Chinese market. With a massive population of about 1.3 billion, it is the world's most populated nation and, as such, holds great potential for effecting the world's economies. The Chinese economy itself is said to be larger than the US and European markets combined. From manufacturing goods in China at a fraction of the price it might cost in Western countries to entering the Chinese market with your business, there are a wide range of possibilities where the Chinese market can extend or enhance your business dealings.Entering The Chinese MarketWhile large companies find it somewhat easier to enter the Chinese market, smaller companies tend to have a much harder time. They tend to experience problems with getting a business license, which can tak
2. I can't afford to! How often do you use money as an excuse to deny having something you need? Is there a cost to you to NOT take action? If there is a cost, at what point is the cost too high a price to pay? Consider short/long term value for a questionable investment.
3. I don't have time! How much time is needed to take one step? What changes can you make to open up some time?
4. Now is not a good time! It’s not the right time! When is? What would the right time look like?
5. I'm not ready! What needs to change for you to become ready? What does being ready look like?
6. It's too hard/too big! What smaller steps or ways of looking at it will make it more manageable/attainable? What support/help is available?
Procrastination means you never have to commit to an action make a mistake, fail/succeed, take a stand on reaching a goal (take responsibility to make things happen) change your life or yourself. You may make some progress, but continue to hold yourself back. Progress occurs at a controlled, manageable pace, enough to keep you interested and wanting more - but always short of reaching your heart’s full desire.
Are you a procrastinator? How is procrastination impacting your business success?
Consider the following questions:
• What are the mechanisms/reasons/excuses you use to block your success? – i.e. over-promising and under-delivering, time management, poor marketing, negative self-talk?
• What do you tell yourself (and others) to make your procrastinating behavior, okay?
• Have you really made the decision to be successful?
• What beliefs do you have about success? Are they
Avoid These Design Mistakes That Will Shy Viewers AwayWhen creating your Website there are many things to think about, but lets not forget the basics. This includes your primary design plan or rather the first colors, background and words the visitor sees. Discussed below are ways to successfully execute those three components.Color SchemeIf you already have a company logo with designated colors, use those and continue the theme. Otherwise choose two to three colors for use on your Website. Stick with these colors and use them on every page. Once you assign a pattern to those colors stay consistent on each page. Example: White background, blue writing and orange bordering. Pull out or download a color wheel. This will help you choose colors th
Are you a procrastinator? How is procrastination impacting your business success?
Consider the following questions:
• What are the mechanisms/reasons/excuses you use to block your success? – i.e. over-promising and under-delivering, time management, poor marketing, negative self-talk?
• What do you tell yourself (and others) to make your procrastinating behavior, okay?
• Have you really made the decision to be successful?
• What beliefs do you have about success? Are they true?
• How will your life change if you change this behavior?
• Who will you become if you change this behavior?
In the book, Get Out Of Your Own Way, the authors, Mark Goulston, MD., and Philip Goldberg say “ There are, of course, many reasons why people procrastinate: self-doubt, boredom, fear of failure, the feeling of being unready or unprepared and so on. But these feelings by themselves don’t necessarily lead to procrastination. Often, what tips the scales is going through them alone, with no one to help you, bolster you, or cheer you on.”
How to stop procrastinating
1. The first step is to make a decision to have the success you want. Say “yes!”
2. Then create the vision you want in detail – paint a picture that excites you to move towards achieving that result. You must have a good marketing/business plan!!!! This is your road map to success.
3. Begin identifying your action steps and break them down into small steps with timelines.
4. Design a defensive strategy to deal with your procrastination. Define concrete actions. ie. You have warm business leads but don’t make the calls. One suggestion – make it a game so that making calls might be fun. Be creative.
5. If you’re a solo-entrepreneur being a part of a network is critical so you don’t become isolated.
6. Join a mastermind group or form one.
7. Need more help to stay motivated and on track? HIRE A COACH!
One thing I’ve come to know is that people put time and energy into what they love - what’s most important to them. I’ve watched people move mountains, jump over hurdles for something they love – total buy-in. I know when I’m working with a procrastinator or with someone who really wants to move by what they are willing to do and unwilling to accept to get what they want. People who are ready to take action are too excited to wait and are willing to commit to whatever action is needed to reach their goals. If you keep pushing your dreams away by continuing your love affair with procrastination…..it’s your life, it’s your choice.
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