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Procrastination and postponementitis in time management: It comes differently ...
// By Simone Janson
Why do not many people reach their goals through hard work? Often distractions and disruptive factors are responsible for our delaying something - or our own inner attitude. How can you change that?
What does postponementitis look like?
Let's start with an example: Mr. G. wants to plan his time in the future exactly and stick to this plan. But soon he realizes that, despite the very best planning, things do not go as he imagined. "In theory, that sounds very nice, but in practice it looks different, because I have to react flexibly and that's why the whole planning is just too unspontan", he talks about his frustration and pushes with this excuse the topic of time management first to the page.
But it does not have to come that far. Of course, especially in professional life, external factors are often responsible that you can not do everything you want to do: difficult customers, a broken computer, insolvent employer or a car breakdown. Unfortunately, you have no influence on that. But it always depends on how you deal with such difficulties. And some factors that prevent your successful self-management are simply homemade too. If you have problems to really implement your planning, you should work on it.
Overcome the "inner bastard"
While reading literature on the subject of time management, you are taking the first step towards optimal self-management - but only the first step. Now you have to put your knowledge into practice. And you really have to want the change, because if this is not the case, you will not implement your planning consistently enough in the often stressful work routine. But be patient with yourself: you can not immediately change all your habits.
If you want too much at once, you will fail and then probably give up prematurely in frustration. To prevent this from happening, you should first of all make it clear where the "inner bastard" shows, which prevents you from optimally implementing your planning. First, think about when to use similar excuses as Mr. G. in the example above. Then analyze the motives behind these excuses.
Causes of procrastination - an overview
If you know where the root cause lies, you can usually do the same. The following overview should help you:
| excuse | Cause behind it | Your approach |
| "Today I have too much to do, I start implementing it tomorrow." | They postpone the implementation. | Start either immediately with the implementation, because you have no time to lose. Make a schedule, when you want to implement which planning step, so that you stay on the ball. |
| "There is so much to keep in mind, I do not even know where to start and in the end I will not stick to it." | You want to implement all the tips at once and lose the overview and the pleasure. | Start with manageable problems. One step at a time - you do not have to implement everything immediately. Do not do too much at once. Stay patient and optimistic. |
| "There are so many different methods, I do not know which one to start with." | You want to try all the time management methods at once instead of finding out which one is ideal for you. | Plan with which methods you want to start. You do not have to try all the methods, it is enough if you try a few (Pareto principle), otherwise you run the risk of getting bogged down. Find out which method suits you best. |
| "Some tips are so banal, that's not worth it, that I'm dealing with it!" | They think simple methods are less helpful because they are so easy and you would do that anyway. | Try simple methods as well. You will be surprised how effective even simple techniques can be. If you were on it yourself, so much the better! |
| "I can start, but I'm not staying with it anyway." | They are simply inconsistent in their implementation. | Stay consistent. Understand the importance of time management for optimal work. Reward yourself for implementing individual techniques or force yourself (read more below). Even small steps bring on. Look at the other excuses: What prevents you from consistently implementing them? |
| "If I plan too much, I can not react flexibly." Or: "Time management is only effective if I really implement everything." | These are two extreme positions of one and the same thing. You either believe time management is totally unnecessary or only effective if you put everything into action. | Avoid perfectionism. The attitude of doing everything, or nothing at all, does not get you anywhere. Keep in mind that even small improvements are a success. |
| I've tried a few techniques, but I'm not sure if that makes sense. | You have no way to verify your success. This could make you lose your appetite. | Check if something has already improved - for example by checking whether you have complied with the contract with yourself (see below). Or ask someone else for feedback. Important: If you notice any improvements, you will continue. |
Write down your plan carefully
If you are still unsure about whether you will consistently implement your plan, you will resort to an unusual tool: Write down exactly how you envisage the implementation of your personal self-management program over the next four weeks. Terminate as exactly as possible when you want to have reached which specification. Do not take yourself too much. When writing down, make your personal goals clear once again, imagine where your strengths and weaknesses are and which methods and tools you want to use.
Now you can look for someone else - such as a partner or friend - who uses this plan to check that you have followed the intentions. You can also arrange minor sanctions and rewards. Maybe this pressure from outside will motivate you to stay on the ball. Or maybe it's just enough if you just get together with someone who also wants to improve their work organization, and they'll motivate each other from now on. But you can also formulate your requirements as a contract with yourself: Make clear agreements and set the date and signature below. But also agree on smaller sanctions if you become in breach of contract.
Sometimes say "no!"
You should leave 40 percent free in your schedule for unforeseen events. Nevertheless, these 40 percent free time may not be enough. This can happen because you can not beat other people's requests and wishes. Behind it can be in the daily dealings with other people very emotional motives, such as. the fear of offending someone with a rejection, the desire to please or the need to help others. What you do in such a situation is shown in the tips below.
The sound makes the music - especially with the "no" saying. When they feel pressured or overwhelmed, many people tend to say "no!" In an overly fierce and rude way. Always stay courteous and pack your "no!", As the examples below show.
Especially self-employed people face a particular problem: they have to earn money and therefore accept as many jobs as possible. At the same time, you want to establish yourself on the market and offer every customer the best possible service, which, however, usually does not bring them any additional income (even if good service pays off in the long term through customer loyalty and word of mouth). However, you do not do yourself a favor when you try to accept all orders and fulfill all the wishes of your customers; Do not do anything thoroughly and reliably any more, miss appointments and eventually have to cancel because you simply have no choice. However, your customers are more dissatisfied than if you had immediately declined, because the customers also have specifications and plans that they want to comply with and that, thanks to you, they may no longer be able to do. You lose confidence in your company and you soon count as someone who undecidedly does everything a bit but does nothing right. It is better to remember his purpose (see above) and to say "no!" Resolutely at the right moment.
Typical problems with the "no" saying
The following examples show situations that you may typically find in self-employment. The tips explain how you can solve the particular dilemma.
| Dilemma | Solution | The tip for you |
| Mrs. W. is a communications consultant. A customer is bullied in the office. Ms. W. fe... |
