Tackling Procrastination

Be honest with yourself. Are you as productive as you could be? Take a close look at your personality, and assess where it gets in the way. Here's how to improve your habits:

• Do more of what you're good at and less of what you're not. Play to your strengths. If you're not an inspiring speaker, prepare the presentation, introduce it, but let a stronger speaker deliver it.
• Know when you are most productive. If you're energetic in the mornings, arrive at work a bit earlier before the rest of the staff. If you're an afternoon person, discourage interruptions during that time to concentrate on work.
• Set deadlines, even if you don't need them. A sense of urgency helps you complete projects … and complete them on time.
• Turn drudgery into fun. Do the unpleasant part of a task first, so that you can look forward to the more enjoyable part. You'll also end on a positive note.
• Build in a reward. Everyone needs incentives … even you!

From Manager's Edge newsletter, available by subscription only at Briefings.com. Adapted from Procrastination, Jane B. Burka and Lenora M. Yuen, Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.