Take 2009 by Storm

Procrastination is opportunity’s assassin. ~Victor Kiam
Take 2009 by Storm
A friend of mine was an insurance agent selling Whole Life Policies, an insurance policy with a built-in savings plan. She tried to sell it to me to replace the one I had that she deemed insufficient. I wasn’t going for it. I asked her how she got people to buy that stuff. Very seriously she looked at me and said, “Tell me something you wish you had?” If I remember correctly I wanted enough money to assure my sons’ education, should they want one, without having to take out a loan. She then asked, “What are you doing to procure that?” They were only 10 and 13 at the time and I told her that in this moment that wasn’t as big a priority as my more immediate single parenting needs. She then said, “And how is that going to be any different next year or five years from now? You can’t put off saving forever.” I thought about it and couldn’t come up with an answer. What I did know was one of the ways she became top sales person of the year. She knew a procrastinator when she saw one and knew how to get them to see it as well.
When you look back over the past year(s), do you give a sigh of satisfaction? Or did you procrastinate and put off doing the things you’ve been telling yourself you would do when you had the time, the money, weren’t so depressed, or whatever your reason? To parrot my friend, “How is that going to be any different next year . . . . .?”
If you’re a New Year’s list maker and a procrastinator, you may even notice that your list from year to year has many of the same “to dos or dreams.” If you keep your list in your head, you may notice the same thoughts keep ruminating like a treadmill stuck at the “on” position.
A few choice words for procrastinators Remember, tomorrow will be today tomorrow and someday is not a day of the week.  If you really want what you say you do, a more effective attitude might be – Just do it!
You can take 2009 by storm and look at your “to do” or “want” list and determine now how you’re going to make this the year your procrastinations take form.
If any of this speaks to you, consider this—
BE VISION-DIRECTED
*Get as specific as you can about what you want. Explore it with all your senses until you can taste it.
* Make sure your vision matches your values or purpose (If not, you will find it hard to summon the energy to tackle it)
* Bring each step toward fruition into congruence with your basic vision.

Plan:
* Start with a written plan of action
* Keep it simple and straightforward
* Plan manageable steps to completion of at least the first phase so you don’t get discouraged (a must for procrastinators)
* Balance the time spent planning with time spent creating or doing
* Avoid over-planning — another method of procrastination

PREPARE A SCHEDULE
* Break each step out and list it separately
* Don’t push yourself too far or you’ll get bored or frustrated
* Do set a “completion point” for accomplishing each task
* Deadlines give you an end in sight to look forward to

GOOD ENOUGH IS GOOD ENOUGH
* Don’t try to do everything perfectly—instead, aim for progress —perfectionism often causes procrastination
*Celebrate each step toward completion
* Do the worst job (or part of the job) first and get it out of the way (once you tackle the part you are dreading, the rest comes more easily)
* Alternate unpleasant jobs with tasks you enjoy
*Whenever possible, delegate out items you can’t make yourself do

INTERRUPTIONS
* Interruptions tend to occur in identifiable patterns
* Notice when interruptions occur, by whom, and why
* Take steps to prevent those interruptions before they occur

MAKE IT FUN
* Make the project and environment enjoyable
* Play music, open a window—anything that motivates you
* If you’re a people person, find a way to co-create with others
* Give yourself the best tools and workspace possible

STAYING MOTIVATED
* Find an “accountability partner” to help track your progress
* Schedule a regular time to check in with them
* Rewarding your accomplishments encourages productivity
* Reward every step along the way, not just the end result

In my last article I recommended a few recipes for happiness. One I didn’t mention was the satisfaction that comes from telling your self you are going to accomplish something and then following through. It’s our adult version of having a teacher or parent say, “Job well done,” or receiving a gold star for outstanding performance. It affirms our belief in our self and raises our self-esteem. That makes us happy.
The New Year is an opportunity to give your self a boost. Now more than any other time of the year, people are reviewing the past and planning ahead. You’re in good company. Use this universal energy to give your self a nudge, or if necessary, a push in the right direction. You’re the only one than can make it happen. Like the good old Nike slogan, this New Year end procrastination and  JUS DO IT!
Many Blessings for a Splendid 2009.