Procrastination is a productivity killer for many because it bogs them down into ambiguity that is both uncomfortable and confusing for folks. There are a few simple steps to take to move past this problem which will have a dramatic affect on your job performance. There are many self-help books, articles, etc. on time management, but it’s really not that complicated. I find that many long-standing business issues often take only a few minutes to a few hours to solve if you follow a few key steps. The implimentation of the action plan may take longer, but developing an action plan is usually half the battle.
To remove the ambiguity, write down as specifically as possible the following:
- What do you know to be true or clear.
- What specific issues are unclear.
- Who can help address the specific issues.
- Order the items in sequence, both clear and ambiguous parts into a list.
- Put a specific timeline to those items.
- Recruit or assign people to help with those steps.
- Build-in accountability to management, co-workers, scheduling that holds you to the task.
Don’t let key projects slide. You may think you are getting away from the task by procrastination, but eventually it catches-up with you. Plan well, measure twice and cut once. Following these simple steps will win you accolades and admiration from your supervisor and co-workers.