THE NOW HABIT
Chapter 1 Why We Procrastinate
You expect all your work to be superior, maybe even perfect, and when it isn’t you get disgusted with yourself. Your projects become for you the reflections of your worth as a person.
I told her that my work was based on a positive attitude about the human spirit, a belief that work and improvement are natural for the human body and mind, and that problems such as procrastination usually come about from suppression of that drive.
Keep track of when and why you procrastinated for a few days to make you aware of when the old views were most likely to lead her into negative patterns. Lessen clare’s resistence to authority, fear of failure, perfectionism, and fear of success.
She was able to focus on her accomplishments, her strengths, her innate drive for quality work, her intellectual curiosity, and her desire to improve whatever situation she was in.
We procrastsinate because it rewards us with temporary relief from stress.
We have habits because it is immediately rewarded.
Procrastination reduces tension by taking us away from something we view as painful or threatening. The more painful work is for you, the more you will try to seek relief through avoidance or through involvement in more pleasurable activities. The more you feel that endless work deprives you of the pleasure of leisure time, the more you will avoid work.
We usually see procrastination as the problem, rather than a symptom of other problems.
When you believe that a judgment of your work is a judgment of yourself, then perfectionism, self-criticism, and procrastination are necessary forms of protection.
Perfectionistic demands lead to- fear of failure- PROCRASTINATION- self criticism- anxiety and depression- loss of confidence- greater fear of failure which leads to- stronger need to use PROCRASTINATION as a temporary escape.
Major reasons we procrastinate:
1. Indirect way of resisting pressure from authorities
2. Lessening fear of failure by providing an excuse for a disappointing less than perfect performance.
3. Defense against fear of success by keeping us from doing our best.
Notice which ones reveal the underlying causes of you own procrastination patterns.
Procrastination can Express Resentment
You feel like a victim whose life is controlled by others who make the rules.
“I have to”—but if I were in charge I wouldn’t do it. If I were God there would be no..”
there is a way that you can procrastinate as an indirect expression of resentment and power.
“I choose”
he began to apply effective goal-setting, acknowledging where he was in the company rather than holding on to the fantasy of where he should be.
He feels powerful in effecting change in his work environment and his own feelings.
Others are frequently in positions of power to affect you and your job, and they might even try to judge your job, and they might even try to judge your work or your skills. BUT, they can never make you into a victim or a procrastinator. Only you can do that.
Procrastination is Often used against fear of failure
Perfectionism, and self criticism are, in fact, the chief causes of fear of failure.
In extreme cases of perfectionism there is no distinction between judgment of one’s work and one’s sense of value as a person.
The more complex and varied your sense of self, the less likely you are to become depressed over stress in one area, because “you have these uncontaminated areas of your life that can act as buffers”.
If you delay starting your work, you cannot do you best and so any criticism or failure will not be a judgment of the real you or your best efforts. If you delay making a decision, the decision will be made for you and you will not have to take responsibility if something goes wrong.
I told her that my work was based on a positive attitude about the human spirit, a belief that work and improvement are natural for the human body and mind, and that problems such as procrastination usually come about from suppression of that drive.
Keep track of when and why you procrastinated for a few days to make you aware of when the old views were most likely to lead her into negative patterns. Lessen clare’s resistence to authority, fear of failure, perfectionism, and fear of success.
She was able to focus on her accomplishments, her strengths, her innate drive for quality work, her intellectual curiosity, and her desire to improve whatever situation she was in.
We procrastsinate because it rewards us with temporary relief from stress.
We have habits because it is immediately rewarded.
Procrastination reduces tension by taking us away from something we view as painful or threatening. The more painful work is for you, the more you will try to seek relief through avoidance or through involvement in more pleasurable activities. The more you feel that endless work deprives you of the pleasure of leisure time, the more you will avoid work.
We usually see procrastination as the problem, rather than a symptom of other problems.
When you believe that a judgment of your work is a judgment of yourself, then perfectionism, self-criticism, and procrastination are necessary forms of protection.
Perfectionistic demands lead to- fear of failure- PROCRASTINATION- self criticism- anxiety and depression- loss of confidence- greater fear of failure which leads to- stronger need to use PROCRASTINATION as a temporary escape.
Major reasons we procrastinate:
1. Indirect way of resisting pressure from authorities
2. Lessening fear of failure by providing an excuse for a disappointing less than perfect performance.
3. Defense against fear of success by keeping us from doing our best.
Notice which ones reveal the underlying causes of you own procrastination patterns.
Procrastination can Express Resentment
You feel like a victim whose life is controlled by others who make the rules.
“I have to”—but if I were in charge I wouldn’t do it. If I were God there would be no..”
there is a way that you can procrastinate as an indirect expression of resentment and power.
“I choose”
he began to apply effective goal-setting, acknowledging where he was in the company rather than holding on to the fantasy of where he should be.
He feels powerful in effecting change in his work environment and his own feelings.
Others are frequently in positions of power to affect you and your job, and they might even try to judge your job, and they might even try to judge your work or your skills. BUT, they can never make you into a victim or a procrastinator. Only you can do that.
Procrastination is Often used against fear of failure
Perfectionism, and self criticism are, in fact, the chief causes of fear of failure.
In extreme cases of perfectionism there is no distinction between judgment of one’s work and one’s sense of value as a person.
The more complex and varied your sense of self, the less likely you are to become depressed over stress in one area, because “you have these uncontaminated areas of your life that can act as buffers”.
If you delay starting your work, you cannot do you best and so any criticism or failure will not be a judgment of the real you or your best efforts. If you delay making a decision, the decision will be made for you and you will not have to take responsibility if something goes wrong.
Chapter 2 How we Procrastinate
Procrastination log:
Date and Time
|
Activity and Priority
|
Thoughts and Feelings
|
Justification
|
Attempted Solutions
Resultant Thoughts and feelings
|
You will want to include as basic information the day and time that you procrastinated, the activity you postponed and its priority, your thoughts and feelings about the task, your reason for procrastinating, the type of procrastination you used, your attempts at reducing anxiety, and your resultant thoughts and feelings.
You give a task or a goal the power to determine your worth and happiness.
Fear of failure stems from assuming that what you produce reflects your complete ability. You therefore use procrastination to protect your worth from being judged.
By procrastinating you also escape the terrible equation of self worth= performance by delaying enough so that you cannot be tested on your real ability- that is, what you could do if you had enough time.
You need a commitment to yourself and your innate worth that lets you know that, in spite of any failures, you believe in yourself enough to try again, to get back on this board-or some other board more suited to you unique talents.
You give a task or a goal the power to determine your worth and happiness.
Fear of failure stems from assuming that what you produce reflects your complete ability. You therefore use procrastination to protect your worth from being judged.
By procrastinating you also escape the terrible equation of self worth= performance by delaying enough so that you cannot be tested on your real ability- that is, what you could do if you had enough time.
You need a commitment to yourself and your innate worth that lets you know that, in spite of any failures, you believe in yourself enough to try again, to get back on this board-or some other board more suited to you unique talents.
Chapter 3
How to Talk to Yourself
The freedom to choose from alternatives facilitates to a challenging course of action and the willingness to take responsibility for the consequences of our decisions that steels the will and emboldens the spirit.
Through a language of choice and commitment you’ll learn to direct your energy toward a goal, feeling empowered rather than victimized.
I choose, I decide, I will direct energy toward a single personal goal with clear responsibility for the outcome.
Fight or flight.
To become more productive and efficient, you’ll want to clearly communicate to yourself what you choose to do, and when and where you will carry out your commitment to start.
The power of choice
Changing a have to into a choice.
From Resistance to Commitment
Listen to how images of passivity and powerlessness are created by your negative self talk. Learn to embrace the path that makes the most sense to you.
Learning how to say no
Developing fresh alternative self-statements that involve choice, commitment, and the ability to say no is an essential step toward having a greater range of possibilities in working on any task and in changing from a procrastinator to an effective producer.
Five self statements that distinguish procrastinators from producers
1. Negative thinking of I have to.
-Replace I have to with a I choose to
2. Negative thinking of I must finish
-Replace I must finish with when can I start?
3. Negative thinking of “this project is so big and important”
- Replace this project is so big and important with “I can take one small step”
4. Negative thinking of “ I must be perfect”
-Replace I must be perfect with I can be perfectly human.
5. Negative thinking o “I don’t have time to play”
-Replace “ I don’t have time to play” with “I must take time to play”
“ I choose to start on one small step, knowing I have plenty of time for play”.
Every time you choose to switch your energy from your procrastination self-talk to the language of the producer, you are wiring in a new track of brain cells- a new neural pathway in your brain.
Through a language of choice and commitment you’ll learn to direct your energy toward a goal, feeling empowered rather than victimized.
I choose, I decide, I will direct energy toward a single personal goal with clear responsibility for the outcome.
Fight or flight.
To become more productive and efficient, you’ll want to clearly communicate to yourself what you choose to do, and when and where you will carry out your commitment to start.
The power of choice
Changing a have to into a choice.
From Resistance to Commitment
Listen to how images of passivity and powerlessness are created by your negative self talk. Learn to embrace the path that makes the most sense to you.
Learning how to say no
Developing fresh alternative self-statements that involve choice, commitment, and the ability to say no is an essential step toward having a greater range of possibilities in working on any task and in changing from a procrastinator to an effective producer.
Five self statements that distinguish procrastinators from producers
1. Negative thinking of I have to.
-Replace I have to with a I choose to
2. Negative thinking of I must finish
-Replace I must finish with when can I start?
3. Negative thinking of “this project is so big and important”
- Replace this project is so big and important with “I can take one small step”
4. Negative thinking of “ I must be perfect”
-Replace I must be perfect with I can be perfectly human.
5. Negative thinking o “I don’t have time to play”
-Replace “ I don’t have time to play” with “I must take time to play”
“ I choose to start on one small step, knowing I have plenty of time for play”.
Every time you choose to switch your energy from your procrastination self-talk to the language of the producer, you are wiring in a new track of brain cells- a new neural pathway in your brain.
Procrastinators
I have to
I must finish This project is big and important I must be perfect I don’t have time to play |
Producers
I choose to
When can I start I can take one small step I can be perfectly human I must take time to play |
Chapter 4 The Guilt-Free Play
One of the most devastating consequences of procrastination is that it leads to putting of living.
We need guilt free play that provides us with periods of physical and mental renewal.
They were living now, not waiting to begin living when their work was completed.
Making play a priority in your life is part of learning to overcome procrastination.
The pull method of self-motivation
Do you use your attraction to the goal to pull you forward? Actions produced by punishment or fear, it leads to escape from the fear.
Pull method- assumes that we are naturally inquisitive, and if we are properly rewarded for our efforts we can preserve with even the most difficult of tasks.
To control your work habits you must make the periods of work shorter(less painful) and the rewards more frequent and immediate (more pleasurable)- interlacing short periods of work with breaks and rewards.
From guilt free play to quality work
Once you’ve completed some quality work on your project, your feeling of self-control increases, as does your confidence in your ability to concentrate and to creatively resolve problems.
It is not the goal, but the ultimate mission that kindles the imagination, motivating us toward ever higher levels of human achievement.
We need guilt free play that provides us with periods of physical and mental renewal.
They were living now, not waiting to begin living when their work was completed.
Making play a priority in your life is part of learning to overcome procrastination.
The pull method of self-motivation
Do you use your attraction to the goal to pull you forward? Actions produced by punishment or fear, it leads to escape from the fear.
Pull method- assumes that we are naturally inquisitive, and if we are properly rewarded for our efforts we can preserve with even the most difficult of tasks.
To control your work habits you must make the periods of work shorter(less painful) and the rewards more frequent and immediate (more pleasurable)- interlacing short periods of work with breaks and rewards.
From guilt free play to quality work
Once you’ve completed some quality work on your project, your feeling of self-control increases, as does your confidence in your ability to concentrate and to creatively resolve problems.
It is not the goal, but the ultimate mission that kindles the imagination, motivating us toward ever higher levels of human achievement.
Chapter 5 Overcoming Blocks to Action
By using the tools provided in this chapter- three dimensional thinking, the work of worrying, and persistent starting- and by providing yourself with a safety net and positive self-talk, you can approach feared tasks in small, doable steps.
Three major blocks
The three major fears that block action and create procrastination are the t error of being overwhelmed, the fear of failure, and the fear of not finishing.
Tool #1 three- dimensional thinking and the reverse calendar
This normal level of anxiety will not become overwhelming unless you:
1. insist on knowing the one right place to start. (keeps you away from getting on to the rest of the project)
2. You are not allowing yourself to learn along the way, you expect you feel confident at the start.
3. Are critical that you are starting and you should be finishing.
The reverse calendar
It starts with the ultimate deadline for your project and then moves back, step by step, to the present where you can focus your energy on starting.
You’ll want a reverse calendar to see what you can tackle right now, where you can delegate, and when you’ll have a chance to catch your breath. It will give you how much time you must allocate in each week. it will give you a realistic perspective on how much time it takes to complete each step.
Tool #2 The Work of Worrying
Respect your ability to worry as a means to alert you to potential danger.
By alerting yourself to a potential danger without establishing a plan for how you will cope, you have done only half of the job of worrying. You’ve left out the positive “work of worrying” developing an action plan.
These steps take you beyond “what if” and direct the blocked energy of anxiety toward constructive preparation for potential danger.
1. What is the worst that could happen?
2. What would I do if the worst really happened? (where would I get help?)…and then what would I do?
3. How would I lessen the pain and get on with as much happiness as possible if the worst did occur? ( I must remember these strengths I can build on)
4. What alternatives would I have? (have I limited my options by insisting on only one perfect job and by being dictatorial about how I think my life should be? What will I have to do to increase the alternatives that are acceptable to me? I must remember that I have many ways to be happy and successful.
5. What can I do now to lessen the probability of this dreaded event occurring?
6. Is there anything I can do now to increase my chances of achieving my goal?
True confidence is knowing that whether you’re calm or anxious, whether you succeed or fail, you’ll do your best and, if necessary, be ready to pick yourself up to carry on and try again. True confidence is the ability to say “ I’m prepared for the worst, now I can focus on the work that will lead to the best”.
Tool #3 Persistent Starting
Why not tackle the work that’s going to reap the most long-range benefit? If both procrastination and facing with your fear requires work.
Identify the counterproductive statements and attitudes that tend to creep into your mind once you’ve gotten started on your work. Then use your anticipation of these negative self-statements to prepare challenges that take the fear out of finishing and free up your creative energy for the good stuff.
Why not choose the work of taking one more step forward?
Create a positive expectation that as you make progress on your project there will be large jumps in your learning and your ability. You cannot judge your rate of progress by your current ability of knowledge.
Make sure you reward every step of progress, regardless of how small.
Keep this work separate from your decision about future projects. You are in control of when you will face the next piece of work, and that you will become stronger and wiser after you complete your current step.
Focus on the desired resultants and making this path work for you.
You need to understand that there is no level of human perfection that will make you invulnerable to criticism and rejection by some people.
You must learn to tolerate the anxiety and risks of finishing even though you know your work isn’t perfect.
Learn to cope with criticism by taking your ego off the line- by creating safety and separating your worth from your work.
Get your work out there- out of the fantasy stage and into the real world.
Keep on starting
All large tasks are completed in a series of starts.
Keep on starting and finishing will take care of itself.
When you’re afraid of finishing, keep asking “when can I start?”
Three major blocks
The three major fears that block action and create procrastination are the t error of being overwhelmed, the fear of failure, and the fear of not finishing.
Tool #1 three- dimensional thinking and the reverse calendar
This normal level of anxiety will not become overwhelming unless you:
1. insist on knowing the one right place to start. (keeps you away from getting on to the rest of the project)
2. You are not allowing yourself to learn along the way, you expect you feel confident at the start.
3. Are critical that you are starting and you should be finishing.
The reverse calendar
It starts with the ultimate deadline for your project and then moves back, step by step, to the present where you can focus your energy on starting.
You’ll want a reverse calendar to see what you can tackle right now, where you can delegate, and when you’ll have a chance to catch your breath. It will give you how much time you must allocate in each week. it will give you a realistic perspective on how much time it takes to complete each step.
Tool #2 The Work of Worrying
Respect your ability to worry as a means to alert you to potential danger.
By alerting yourself to a potential danger without establishing a plan for how you will cope, you have done only half of the job of worrying. You’ve left out the positive “work of worrying” developing an action plan.
These steps take you beyond “what if” and direct the blocked energy of anxiety toward constructive preparation for potential danger.
1. What is the worst that could happen?
2. What would I do if the worst really happened? (where would I get help?)…and then what would I do?
3. How would I lessen the pain and get on with as much happiness as possible if the worst did occur? ( I must remember these strengths I can build on)
4. What alternatives would I have? (have I limited my options by insisting on only one perfect job and by being dictatorial about how I think my life should be? What will I have to do to increase the alternatives that are acceptable to me? I must remember that I have many ways to be happy and successful.
5. What can I do now to lessen the probability of this dreaded event occurring?
6. Is there anything I can do now to increase my chances of achieving my goal?
True confidence is knowing that whether you’re calm or anxious, whether you succeed or fail, you’ll do your best and, if necessary, be ready to pick yourself up to carry on and try again. True confidence is the ability to say “ I’m prepared for the worst, now I can focus on the work that will lead to the best”.
Tool #3 Persistent Starting
Why not tackle the work that’s going to reap the most long-range benefit? If both procrastination and facing with your fear requires work.
Identify the counterproductive statements and attitudes that tend to creep into your mind once you’ve gotten started on your work. Then use your anticipation of these negative self-statements to prepare challenges that take the fear out of finishing and free up your creative energy for the good stuff.
Why not choose the work of taking one more step forward?
Create a positive expectation that as you make progress on your project there will be large jumps in your learning and your ability. You cannot judge your rate of progress by your current ability of knowledge.
Make sure you reward every step of progress, regardless of how small.
Keep this work separate from your decision about future projects. You are in control of when you will face the next piece of work, and that you will become stronger and wiser after you complete your current step.
Focus on the desired resultants and making this path work for you.
You need to understand that there is no level of human perfection that will make you invulnerable to criticism and rejection by some people.
You must learn to tolerate the anxiety and risks of finishing even though you know your work isn’t perfect.
Learn to cope with criticism by taking your ego off the line- by creating safety and separating your worth from your work.
Get your work out there- out of the fantasy stage and into the real world.
Keep on starting
All large tasks are completed in a series of starts.
Keep on starting and finishing will take care of itself.
When you’re afraid of finishing, keep asking “when can I start?”
Chapter 6 The Unschedule
schedule.xlsx | |
File Size: | 45 kb |
File Type: | xlsx |
Chapter 7 Working in the Flow State
Working in the flow state teach you to more readily shift levels of consciousness and brain functions so that you can work with greater energy, enthusiasm, and efficiency.
Calm, focused energy, time expansion, delight at new ideas, ease at avoiding or solving problems, and enhanced concentration.
Using more of your brain
Reptilian brain’s fight or flight response.
As soon as you sit down to construct this dream out of words, paint, or marble, you must do it one step at a time, from past to present to future.
It’s only your first draft
A successful writer often starts with an apparently random series of ideas centered around a theme, many of these ideas later proved superfluous to the final design, but were essential to the process of developing a new concept.
The linear ordering of ideas comes later, as a second process, to communicate the original experience in a sequence that can be appreciated by the reader.
Learning to focus
Focusing is a two minute procedure for shifting rapidly to the flow state by replacing guilt and stress with a stress free focus on the present.
Imagination of relaxation 2 minutes
Focusing exercise
Sit upright feet on the floor, with hand in tights. Focus your attention on your breathing. Breathe deeply, holding for a moment, and exhale slowly and completely. X3. Counting each time you exhale. Each exhalation you are letting go of any remaining tension and that you are deciding to drift to a different level of mind.
Now focus your attention on the feeling off the chair against your back, buttocks, and legs. Float down into the chair. Let it support you, as you release any unnecessary muscle tension. You can now let go of those muscles. Shift your attention to the feeling of your feet resting against the floor. Now let go of those muscles. As you let go, continue to exhale away any remaining tension. Just let go and allow your body to give you the gift of relaxation and support.
As your eyes close, allow relaxation to flow down over your entire body.
Letting go of the past: with your next three slow, deep breaths, tell yourself to let go of all thoughts and images about work from the past. Let go of what you’ve just been doing. Let go of thoughts about what you’ve done. You may even want to let go of your old self image- your former sense of identity and its limitations on your potential. Inhale, hold your breath, and exhale completely, freeing your mind and body of the past.
Letting go of the future: in your next three slow, deep breaths, let go of what you anticipate happening in the “future”- a constructed concept of a time that really doesn’t exist”. Let go of all thoughts and images of future work and deadlines- freeing more energy for focusing in the present. Inhale, hold your breath, and exhale completely, freeing your mind and body of the future.
Centering in the present: just allow yourself to notice the sensations of being where you are now. Choose to be in this situation, allowing the wisdom of your body and inner mind to give you just the right level of energy and realization to be here, doing whatever you choose to do in this moment. Inhale, hold your breath, and exhale completely, floating down into the present moment.
Calm, focused energy, time expansion, delight at new ideas, ease at avoiding or solving problems, and enhanced concentration.
Using more of your brain
Reptilian brain’s fight or flight response.
As soon as you sit down to construct this dream out of words, paint, or marble, you must do it one step at a time, from past to present to future.
It’s only your first draft
A successful writer often starts with an apparently random series of ideas centered around a theme, many of these ideas later proved superfluous to the final design, but were essential to the process of developing a new concept.
The linear ordering of ideas comes later, as a second process, to communicate the original experience in a sequence that can be appreciated by the reader.
Learning to focus
Focusing is a two minute procedure for shifting rapidly to the flow state by replacing guilt and stress with a stress free focus on the present.
Imagination of relaxation 2 minutes
Focusing exercise
Sit upright feet on the floor, with hand in tights. Focus your attention on your breathing. Breathe deeply, holding for a moment, and exhale slowly and completely. X3. Counting each time you exhale. Each exhalation you are letting go of any remaining tension and that you are deciding to drift to a different level of mind.
Now focus your attention on the feeling off the chair against your back, buttocks, and legs. Float down into the chair. Let it support you, as you release any unnecessary muscle tension. You can now let go of those muscles. Shift your attention to the feeling of your feet resting against the floor. Now let go of those muscles. As you let go, continue to exhale away any remaining tension. Just let go and allow your body to give you the gift of relaxation and support.
As your eyes close, allow relaxation to flow down over your entire body.
Letting go of the past: with your next three slow, deep breaths, tell yourself to let go of all thoughts and images about work from the past. Let go of what you’ve just been doing. Let go of thoughts about what you’ve done. You may even want to let go of your old self image- your former sense of identity and its limitations on your potential. Inhale, hold your breath, and exhale completely, freeing your mind and body of the past.
Letting go of the future: in your next three slow, deep breaths, let go of what you anticipate happening in the “future”- a constructed concept of a time that really doesn’t exist”. Let go of all thoughts and images of future work and deadlines- freeing more energy for focusing in the present. Inhale, hold your breath, and exhale completely, freeing your mind and body of the future.
Centering in the present: just allow yourself to notice the sensations of being where you are now. Choose to be in this situation, allowing the wisdom of your body and inner mind to give you just the right level of energy and realization to be here, doing whatever you choose to do in this moment. Inhale, hold your breath, and exhale completely, floating down into the present moment.
Chapter 8 Fine-Tuning Your Progress
Successful people fail many times and bounce back, refusing to let any one failure define their worth
You may not be responsible for causing what happens to you, but you are responsible for what you do to correct it
Ability is the learned skill of bouncing back from disappointing performances.
Use the setback as an opportunity to be resilient and bounce back, even when the obstacles had been placed by others.
we must make decisions and set priorities in order to make progress on one goal and to avoid disappointment of failure about the rest.
Set a time, weeks, or months from now, to reconsider the priority of this goal and your readiness to commit to starting work on it at that time, but let go if it for now so that you can focus on a present goal that is attainable and will bring you a feeling of achievement.
You may not be responsible for causing what happens to you, but you are responsible for what you do to correct it
Ability is the learned skill of bouncing back from disappointing performances.
Use the setback as an opportunity to be resilient and bounce back, even when the obstacles had been placed by others.
we must make decisions and set priorities in order to make progress on one goal and to avoid disappointment of failure about the rest.
Set a time, weeks, or months from now, to reconsider the priority of this goal and your readiness to commit to starting work on it at that time, but let go if it for now so that you can focus on a present goal that is attainable and will bring you a feeling of achievement.
Chapter 9 The Procrastinator in Your Life
Managing people who procrastinate
You must direct them toward choice, safety, and acknowledgment for what they can do, and you must avoid making those critical statements with which procrastinators are all familiar.
Being mindful of the counterproductive self-talk procrastinators use with themselves so that they are prepared to counter their unproductive focus with statements that channel their energy towards results.
The ability to communicate in the language, images, and emotions that evoke understanding, inspiration, and direction in the governed is the hallmark of effective leadership.
Procastinator problems:
Feeling like a victim
Being overwhelmed
Fear of failure
Elicit commitment rather than compliance, by focusing on manageable objectives rather than on overwhelming expectations, and by providing praise for steps taken in the right direction rather than just criticizing mistakes.
Pull towards the goal, focuses on starting each step, and provides adequate safety and rewards.
Commitment vs compliance
Careful with the “you should do it exactly as I showed you” “you need to finish this by noon”. Messages to employees
Have to should- imply a threat from an outside authority that is forcing a victim to do something against his or her will.
Allow employees to participate in decisions that affect their work and giving them choices over how they carry out orders creates a sense of commitment. – responsibility for quality work.
Inviting commitment
Can you get to me in rough form by noon?
Focusing on starting vs. finishing
Three dimensional schedule of the subgoals, and a clear image of when and where to start.
Communicate the level of urgency of your informs
Getting results or giving criticism
Workers must be allowed to focus on what is required to get the job started and completed.
Manager’s goal is to teach how goals are to be achieved rather than just giving orders and placing blame.
Criticism kept constructive, focused on an area that can be improved.
The point is combining constructive recommendations for improvement with praise to tell the workers more clearly which actions are correct, and which ones need further effort.
State your priorities clearly
Cut down on your use of emergencies and crises as standard operating procedure.
Be decisive
Consider your decisions carefully, standing behind them, and clearly making known tasks that will result in meeting the organizational objectives
If you are unsure, ask your subordinates to participate in the decision-making process by asking them for rough drafts of several plans, rather on insisting in finish products.
Be fair and frequent in your rewards
Frequent encouragement helps a worker to feel motivated now while on the path to distant rewards.
Use subgoals and subdeadlines to give a greater sense of achievement and as an opportunity to offer rewards or direction along the way to the completion of the big task.
Give feedback in meetings
Give constructive feedback
Keep feedback focused on achieving the goal
Living with a procrastinator
I’m leaving at 8 o’clock. (the procrastinator chooses and prevents feeling like a victim who must respond to your sense of time pressure)
I want, I choose, I have decided
A last word
The feeling behind “I’ll try” is that you will make a halfhearted effort and then fail.
How can I make this work for me?
You must direct them toward choice, safety, and acknowledgment for what they can do, and you must avoid making those critical statements with which procrastinators are all familiar.
Being mindful of the counterproductive self-talk procrastinators use with themselves so that they are prepared to counter their unproductive focus with statements that channel their energy towards results.
The ability to communicate in the language, images, and emotions that evoke understanding, inspiration, and direction in the governed is the hallmark of effective leadership.
Procastinator problems:
Feeling like a victim
Being overwhelmed
Fear of failure
Elicit commitment rather than compliance, by focusing on manageable objectives rather than on overwhelming expectations, and by providing praise for steps taken in the right direction rather than just criticizing mistakes.
Pull towards the goal, focuses on starting each step, and provides adequate safety and rewards.
Commitment vs compliance
Careful with the “you should do it exactly as I showed you” “you need to finish this by noon”. Messages to employees
Have to should- imply a threat from an outside authority that is forcing a victim to do something against his or her will.
Allow employees to participate in decisions that affect their work and giving them choices over how they carry out orders creates a sense of commitment. – responsibility for quality work.
Inviting commitment
Can you get to me in rough form by noon?
Focusing on starting vs. finishing
Three dimensional schedule of the subgoals, and a clear image of when and where to start.
Communicate the level of urgency of your informs
Getting results or giving criticism
Workers must be allowed to focus on what is required to get the job started and completed.
Manager’s goal is to teach how goals are to be achieved rather than just giving orders and placing blame.
Criticism kept constructive, focused on an area that can be improved.
The point is combining constructive recommendations for improvement with praise to tell the workers more clearly which actions are correct, and which ones need further effort.
State your priorities clearly
Cut down on your use of emergencies and crises as standard operating procedure.
Be decisive
Consider your decisions carefully, standing behind them, and clearly making known tasks that will result in meeting the organizational objectives
If you are unsure, ask your subordinates to participate in the decision-making process by asking them for rough drafts of several plans, rather on insisting in finish products.
Be fair and frequent in your rewards
Frequent encouragement helps a worker to feel motivated now while on the path to distant rewards.
Use subgoals and subdeadlines to give a greater sense of achievement and as an opportunity to offer rewards or direction along the way to the completion of the big task.
Give feedback in meetings
Give constructive feedback
Keep feedback focused on achieving the goal
Living with a procrastinator
I’m leaving at 8 o’clock. (the procrastinator chooses and prevents feeling like a victim who must respond to your sense of time pressure)
I want, I choose, I have decided
A last word
The feeling behind “I’ll try” is that you will make a halfhearted effort and then fail.
How can I make this work for me?