3 ways to overcome project procrastination

Procrastination, whether it comes in the form of homework, the snooze button, or your taxes, is a beast. In our personal lives, it may mean Spring Cleaning starts in August, or Christmas presents are shipped around March, but in business it’s much worse.

In some ways, entrepreneurs feel they’ve already beaten the procrastination beast by leaving the comfort of corporate, forming a business of some sort, and getting some stuff done.

But that doesn’t mean it’s conquered forever.

Because as much as we love to do the things we love, inevitably there are dozens or hundreds of not so fun tasks and larger projects that we procrastinate on starting (or finishing).

Tracking expenses.
Entering data.
Writing a blog post.
Updating copy.

Instead of giving you my systems for these challenges (because let’s face it, if you’re not motivated then you just don’t care how to do something you hate to do), here are 3 ways to overcome your project procrastination.

Option 1: You have 3 months to live. Sorry to tell you like this but your life will soon end. Now… do you still want to do that project? If the answer is a resounding YES! then putting a fake deadline (unintentional pun) on it means that you can sometimes trick yourself into believing this opportunity has an expiration date.

After all, you have limited time to share your brilliance and do what you love. If you don’t do it now, then it is likely that it just won’t happen.

If the answer is a reluctant “I guess I should” then it’s time to reconsider. Spend your time doing the projects and things that will enrich your life.

Option 2: You’ve successfully cloned yourself! Now, who will do the project? There s/he sits. Your very own You and your exact clone. Competent, wise and able to do all the projects you hate. Now, take ALL of those projects you’ve been procrastinating on and divide ’em up.

Here’s the bummer: there’s not really a clone. But now that you know what projects you wouldn’t do yourself if there were someone else competent and willing, you can hire that person. Chin up, it’s cheaper than the science of cloning will ever be!

Option 3: Embrace the wait and discover why you’re resisting. When procrastination becomes the time you waste beating yourself up for not doing the thing you’re supposed to be doing, it becomes a self-defeating cycle. Learn how to “take a breath,” “relax into not doing” and slow down. Often, our frustration, doubts and fears about getting stuff done is just the societal pressure to do and produce more.

Instead, think about what this project will accomplish. Are you planning a trip to Istanbul just because you want to say you’re well traveled? Are you pushing yourself to write a book so you can put “author” on your business card?

If you’re one who puts the “pro” in procrastination, it can be a difficult habit to break. In truth, I believe that we’re often overcommitted, exhausted, and pulled in a dozen different directions at once. Cutting back on expectations and production is NOT about laziness; instead it’s about giving the world your best.

Action Step: Share on our Facebook page, what are you procrastinating on today?