Today’s article by Vicky White, a feng shui expert and coach who helps people eliminate the clutter in all areas of their lives: emotional, physical, relationships, etc.  Since her article addresses procrastination it’s a fitting continuation of my series on “Stop Wasting Time and Start Making Money”. 

Feature Article: 20 Minutes is Your Friend ©2009 Vicky White

Do you ever procrastinate?

Procrastination is the habit of not getting started, putting things off till the last minute. It results in missed opportunities. stress, and a head and life full of clutter.

Here are 7 tips for dealing with procrastination that will help you take charge of your life. As you read these, think of something you are procrastinating about right now and see how these tips relate – I know there IS something you’re procrastinating about.

1. First, ask yourself: Is this project or action in alignment with my vision or purpose? Is it something really important to you? If not, why are you even thinking about doing it?

2. Are you telling yourself you ‘have to’ do it? If so, that puts a heavy energy onto it and who wants to do something they’re being told they have to do? Either find a way for it to be something you choose to do, or don’t do it. Words have energy behind them, they shape your outcomes.

Remember, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. You are always free to choose. There may be consequences for not doing it, but you DO have a choice.

3. Let go of perfectionism. For anyone with a writing project that’s the biggest energy killer. Just start. Getting those words down on paper will get the energy flowing and when you come to edit you’ll have something to work with. Same applies to anything else.

4. Break projects down into tasks. A project is to do your taxes or declutter the garage. A task might be to collect your Credit Card receipts or declutter one box in the corner of your garage. See the difference?
A task is something you can do in 20-30 minutes. Make a list of tasks associated with a project you’ve been putting off. Then schedule them – perhaps 20 minutes a day.

Remember this: ‘20 minutes is your friend’. The hardest part is starting but anyone can do something for 20 minutes. Set a timer – likely once you start you’ll do more, but even if it’s just 20 minutes a day, that’s 140 minutes a week and over 9 hours in a month. That’s some serious momentum you will have created.

5. Schedule fun times: Schedule self care, meditation, time for you, time with your family – those things that give you the energy and resources to handle the more challenging things – so you don’t feel deprived. I recommend scheduling your ME time for first thing in the morning. Then schedule your 20-30 minute spots that will lead to completion of your project. Everything else will fit in.

6. Reward yourself: Spend 20 minutes – and then reward yourself. For me writing this article – the task right now is fleshing out the outline I wrote – then I get to take a break and phone a friend. And yes, I’ve already been going for more than 20 minutes. Funny that!

7. Staying motivated. Find an accountability buddy. The more people you tell, the more likely it is you’ll do it. It’s a bit like the Integrity Days I offer in my programs. Having told us what you’re going to do in the coming hour, you’re unlikely to call back and say you just sat around eating bon-bons!

Procrastination is caused by turning a project into something unpleasant. The way to reduce procrastination is reframe your experience. These tips will help you – if you use them.

Remember 20 minutes is your friend.  Now, what will you do today?

Testimonial:  I participated in one of Vicky’s clutter busting programs and I acquired tools which are still helping me keep clutter reined in.  I have found time I didn’t know I had! She also helped me improve the flow in my home using feng shui. She is fantastic!  Merlyn Sanchez, SMART Business Owners

Here are 5 pitfalls that many business owners and solo professionals fall into which can severely hamper their  productivity and cost them profits.  Do any of the following sound familiar?

1. Trying to do it all  The days of multi-tasking are long gone. Studies now document what many people have known for years: trying to do it all slows you down and increases mistakes. Just because you know how to do it doesn’t mean you should. If you start using the excuse “it’s easier (or faster, done better, etc.) if I do it myself”, then you know you’re in trouble!

2. Not having systems in place The reasons for having systems range from making it easier to delegate (see pitfall number 1), keeping your business running if you need to be away, to maximizing your return on your time investment. Look at the following areas and see if you have the systems in place to make your efforts more effective: marketing, customer service, bookkeeping/accounting, and order processing.

3. Being busy but not productive  When you’re busy doing a lot of things: making phone calls, checking email, and putting out fires you can fall into the trap of thinking you’re actually being productive. However, if you’re just engaging in “busy work” and working without a plan then you’re wasting time. Being productive means accomplishing something, using your available time to its best use.

4. Interruptions and distractions It doesn’t matter whether you work at home or in an office interruptions and distractions are a common problem. First, determine whether these annoyances are welcomed or initiated by you or not. Procrastination’s two best friends are interruptions and distractions! If you’re the problem, then you need to deal with why you’re avoiding certain tasks.

5. Technology  We’re being inundated with tools and technologies to improve our lives and instead they’re complicating them! Email has long been a big time waster, there are tools to help you manage it and whole chapters in books discussing it. Now we have “smart” phones so we can check email (can’t get away from the inbox), check the news, text, IM, surf the web, play games, the options are almost endless! Learn to manage these tools and eliminate the ones that are becoming time wasters.

Tomorrow’s post will offer some solutions and resources to help you eliminate (or at least tame) these time bandits.

[tags] time wasters, time management, productivity pitfalls, multi-tasking, process management, maximizing time, accomplishing more, getting things done/tags]