Career Development: What Kind of Procrastinator are You?

Procrastination at work can grow from many root causes, including feeling overwhelmed by a project to avoiding tasks because we don’t enjoy them to being passive aggressive because of a conflict with a manager. Fear can cause us to procrastinate too – fear of making a mistake, fear of failing and looking really dumb, fear of the unknown.

So, if you are a perfectionist, this article isn’t about you. Contrary to popular belief, research shows that procrastination doesn’t have anything to do with not getting things done because you want them to be perfect. Perfectionists may even procrastinate less than the average person.

There is a quote that I have at the top of my “Important Reminders” list that helps me overcome procrastination,

“For every disciplined action there is a multiple reward.” ~ Jim Rohn

This quote  helps me break out of a cycle of procrastination because it reminds me that action will result in rewards — as opposed to inaction, which results in, well, nothing. Rewards or nothing? I choose rewards.

So if you are in the grip of procrastination today, just make an intention to mark one thing off your procrastination list. One thing leads to another, and pretty soon you’ll feel like you’re on top of your game again and reaping the rewards of your efforts.

Next week, I have another idea for you about how you can do a self-evaluation and break out of the procrastination rut with just 6 questions.

But for now, I’ll leave you with the following cartoon. I think it’s funny because it rings true for many of us. Leave a comment below, what’s your favorite flavor of procrastination? I have to admit – I tend to be a Sidetracker!

Image courtesy of 20px.com