Procrastination is a thief of joy. If you are a procrastinator, you know I’m right about this. You put things off and they don’t just retreat into a neverland of pleasure, but rather, they hang over you with a sense of impending doom. You know you have it to do. You know you should just get it done. Yet, you wait…and for what? Waiting isn’t a harmless game. It actually hurts you, your work, your future, your relationships. Let’s learn how to win this game!
Procrastination is a trait antithetical to the job description of a merchandising rep. Look at it from the point of view of the manufacturer. Let’s say you own Gucci bags, sweet, right? You are releasing a fall bag that you know will be a winner…it’s a camel-colored slouch bag and it’s been designed with extra pockets for the woman on the go. You also know that Coach is also producing a fall bag, and you’re in direct competition for every dollar being spent. Do you want your bag on display before or after the Coach bag hits the department store and women start purchasing items for their fall wardrobes? What if your success rests on a merchandising rep who keeps procrastinating getting your bags on display, while anxious shoppers are plunking down their cold, hard cash for Coach bags? Your procrastination is costing Gucci a whole lotta’ money. Sooner or later that’s going to affect you and your bottom line–your income.
Let’s look at it from your company’s point of view. You are given an assignment, and you live a thousand miles from the main office. Can someone from home office jump in to fill the void when you procrastinate getting the job done? When the home office finds it isn’t being done in a timely way, what do you suppose happens to the blood pressure of the person trying to run the business and ensure your paycheck? Your procrastination is lethal to the success of your company. Sooner or later it’s going to affect your future contracts and your bottom line–your income.
Finally, let’s look at it from your own point of view. You’re already suffering from the negative effects of procrastination. If you procrastinate paying your bills, late fees and poor credit ratings are a visible reminder of this character failing. If you are being nagged about a chore or responsibility at home, your relationships are already deteriorating because of this character failing. If you are hoping to improve your life either socially or professionally, it is something you need to correct. Here are some tips:
- Make a list of what you need to do and don’t go to bed until it’s done. Period. Be mean to yourself. You will learn how to change this bad habit.
- Make time-sensitive appointments the first thing you do each day.
- Reward yourself when you complete your to-do list in a timely way.
- Learn to be early to appointments, quick to write thank you notes, and return phone calls within 24 hours.
Learning to tweak this character flaw is easy because you aren’t being asked to change your whole life around—just to incorporate small changes into your daily routine. Realizing this isn’t an overhaul makes it easier to do, and the result will be epic in your personal life. You’ll begin to see progress in areas totally unrelated to the requirements of work. If you want to take yourself by the bootstraps and begin a remodel of your work ethic, check out James Clear’s work on the subject. You’ll love this new you…start NOW! Be a winner in the game of life.
