January is the month when you are thinking about your financial situation more than any other time during the year. But, as the same cousin who visited me mentioned, it is easy to procrastinate on doing even important financial tasks. Even items that have deadlines get put off.
Of course we feel guilty when we ignore the to do list. But that guilt is apparently not enough motivation to make progress.
The only way the cycle of procrastination will be broken is to take on a new perspective.
Here are concrete steps to help you overcome the fear of positive change.
First: Reflect on how you feel about procrastinating in the present, then think about how you will feel when the task is complete in the future. Ask yourself which is preferable?
Second: Write out a step by step action plan. More importantly focus on the first step. Ask yourself exactly how long it would take to do only the first step. This is where I find I can overcome my procrastination. For some reason, the dreaded task is like the monster in the closet, growing bigger and bigger in my mind, the more I dwell in inaction. However, if I think rationally, the task really would only take a half hour, which is a lot less time than I spent agonizing in procrastination. Organizing my expenses for my tax return is a good example.
Third set yourself a deadline so you won’t be ripping out your hair 2 minutes to midnight on the night before the official deadline.
Ok I know even these 3 steps might not help the most hardened procrastinator.
Four: If you truly cannot or will not start the task, tell yourself that you will do only step 1 for a set amount of time, say an hour. For me I find this works well for ironing because I detest ironing. So I tell myself I will iron for 15 minutes or at least get 3 items ironed. Contrast that with someone I know well who only irons once a year for 8 hours then complains how much he hates ironing.
Five: Reward yourself with each step completed, a glass of wine, bag of chips or tickets to the symphony. It is important to tell yourself ‘well done’ for each successful completion. You don’t need permission from me to be nice to yourself.
Next blog post will discuss the #1 pain moment for clients and how to manage it.