What are your Productivity Enemies?

What are your Productivity Enemies?

By, Career Coach Kathy Shabotynskyj and Life/Business Coach Nafije Prishtina

I know that you know what you want to do, you have stated your goals in writing using the SMART format, and you’re making good progress accomplishing that which you set your mind to doing. You're so good, you check that box completed. YAY you say with a smile. You also know that you're able to do more great things based on your past accomplishments. You're living the life you want, and you’re saying to yourself “Wow, I'm so awesome, I'm unstoppable, I'm a true shining star!”

The above statement is true and I have experienced it many many times. I also have witnessed my clients sharing their successful experiences just like the above statement. That feeling is extraordinary so it is natural, it increases our dopamine and I believe it is almost contagious. Then sometimes, something happens.  The day starts out right, we list the “to do’s” for the projects to work on, but in the end, the progress anticipated came up short. When we feel out of focus, most likely we are still working and doing things, but the challenge is that we are ignoring and postponing our important tasks at hand. Most likely you are experiencing the enemy of your productivity called procrastination. Procrastination Is an internal distraction and it works against you - it distracts you by keeping you from starting, working on, or finishing important tasks.

Procrastination and other external distractions happen all the time, and to shed some light in its sneaky why’s and how that happens, here’s a good example of how procrastination works with Job Seekers.  The stages of grief are often a component of a Job Search.  Why?  Because many job searches start with an ending of a previous position.  Whether planned or a surprise, grief is a common emotion accompanying a job loss.  When your position ends, for any reason, there is a loss of routine, purpose and the people that you interact with daily; co-workers, customers, vendors.  One of the first recommendations I offer clients is to recognize and do the work to process the loss. Experience the anger, denial, bargaining and reach the acceptance phase as quickly as possible.  This is an essential step in a Job Search that follows a loss of position.  Without reaching the acceptance phase, the Job Seeker will always be looking back and procrastinating on the effort needed to find a new position.  

Think back, were you ever between positions?  Didn’t that list of chores you always put off suddenly seem more important than going out job hunting? In my 15+ years Career Coaching, I have helped bring about this transformation mindset that allows an individual to pick themselves up and move forward on the path to a good job.  Although a job search requires a great deal of time in front of a computer filling out endless online employment applications, (ugh) it is only one strategy in a successful job search.  Too many people believe that “if I only submit applications online, I will find a job.”  Is it possible that surfing the net is one of your procrastination strategies?   

Procrastination as the enemy of productivity that acts on delaying and postponing a task. Put another way, it’s self-sabotage. Often we are the culprit who places obstacles in our own path to avoid the work at hand.  Haven’t we all heard that finding a job is a full time job?  Yes, it is.  Unfortunately few of us ever received training to be successful at the HOW to find a Good job.  Procrastination of any kind will not yield a successful outcome.  

Before we can discuss ways to solving the procrastination challenges-we also have to understand why we procrastinate and the consequences of procrastination.  Procrastination typically involves ignoring an unpleasant (filling out a job application), but likely more important task, in favor of one that is more enjoyable or easier (snacking & watching TV). If you procrastinate over a long period of time, you can become demotivated and disillusioned, which can lead to depression. And that won’t be suitable for accomplishing your goals E.g succeeding with job seeking activities.

Good news is that using good time management skills will help you minimize and overcome procrastination.  Make sure you create a schedule and prioritize your tasks in the order of importance for the day-each day. Be realistic with yourself and dedicate enough time for your most important tasks E.g. time for a job search.   Remember the wisdom from the above quote and finish your most important things first. Utilizing a schedule will increase efficiencies and decrease the potential for procrastination. It also is a tool that will help you see results and allow you to focus on the activities that have a higher likelihood of producing results.

Here are a few more strategies to change your thinking and help you stay focused on your important tasks:

1.     Look Inside:  is there a deeper fear or insecurity for why you are stopping yourself from doing the high-priority work?  Air it out, dissect it, ask for help with it, and then move on to your priorities.

2.     Small Bites:  Take the big task and break it down into a series of smaller tasks.  Give yourself positive reinforcement for each small step completed and before you know it, you will have accomplished the entire objective.

3.     Own It: The phrases "need to" and "have to," for example, imply that you have no choice in what you do. This can make you feel dis-empowered.  Flip the script and say, "I choose to," instead.  This implies that you own a project, and can make you feel more in control of your workload.

4.     Set deadlines for yourself and hold yourself to those deadlines. Feel the Power of your victories and that momentum it creates. It feels so good when a objective is reached.  Notice the good feeling, reward yourself for your accomplishment and make this your everyday practice. 

5.     Don’t beat yourself up for experiencing procrastination.  Accept WHAT IS and use ways that will help you get back to your priorities. Remember if you are a morning person tackle the big tasks first thing.  Do first thing first -this is the only way to be successful in life and your career.  

6.     Finally, work with a Coach who will help you stay on track and keep the focus on the high-yield activities that will catapult your success to new heights. 

Contacts:

Nafije: www.shiningstarsconnect.com

Kathy: Kathy@mycareerteam.com