Overcoming Procrastination...

The most common cause of disorder is procrastination. When you steer away from one project you begin to steer away from others, which creates a domino effect.

Major Reasons for Procrastination

• Takes too long to complete
• Is too boring
• Seems ridiculous and takes time from something else more important.

Additional Causes of Procrastination

• Fear of failure
• Fear of success
• Fear of losing control
• Lack of clear, specific goals
• Underestimating the difficulty of the task
• Underestimating the time required to complete the task
• Unclear guidelines for the expected outcome
• Lack of planning...the major creator!

Tips for Overcoming Procrastination

1. Get the things that you hate to do completed first.
2. Stop seeking alternatives through e-mail and voice mail.
3. Stop pondering; more time is spent on not conducting the task then physically doing it.
4. Prioritize.

Additional guidelines for sanity and organization

• Create time frames for all projects and tasks.
• Hold yourself accountable.
• Seek success not perfection.
• Place your To Do List in a location where you will see it.
• Keep a notepad wherever you go.

Three Ways to Organize Your Work Space

1. Keep your desk clear.
2. Keep hanging file folders to a minimum.
3. Get rid of waste (**Use the "7" rule...if you haven't looked at an item in 7 days - file it or throw it away!)

Important Extras

• Strive to handle papers only once.
• Use a planner
• Use your computer, but remember names.
• File things so you can find them - keep filing up to date.

Information courtesy of Rockhurst University Continuing Education Center, Inc.