|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home | FAQ | News | Links | About | |
|
|
|
|||||||
|
 |
Become a Travel Agent
“Procrastination -Tomorrow’s Problem or Today’s” Procrastination, a serious and a “business-success-threatening disease” that at some time we all may find ourselves afflicted with. I looked up procrastinate in the dictionary and found this definition; to postpone doing something, especially as a regular practice. I decided to write this article about this disease I have in hopes that talking it out with all of you will help me to find a cure. Perhaps just recognizing that I have it will be a step to my personal cure. It is the day after Christmas (and I could be shopping) and the deadline for the monthly article that I write in Home-Based Trade is upon me. The deadline is the same each month so it certainly comes as no surprise, however, I find myself waiting till the eleventh hour and I am not sure why. One might say that it is because I want to wait till the last minute so the news I share will be timely. That may sound good but since I write about business practices, it does not really work as an excuse for me. As I reflect, I note that there are other “chores” that I tend to put off as well. Perhaps there is a cure or at least a prescription for this ailment. When I think of the time I spend procrastinating by, say, reading and responding to email as it comes in rather than allowing it to accumulate and dealing with it in one or two sessions during the day, or making a telephone call or making yet another cup of coffee rather than knuckling down to my tasks at hand, I know I could be more productive. I know that I want to be!
What about
you? Do you ever find yourself putting off some task rather
than dealing with it at the right time? Does the need to
rearrange the pantry cupboard or the tools in garage seem much
more pressing in the face of some task that you really can't
bring yourself to start? If so, So, why does it happen and what can we do about it? According to one study, procrastination is caused by several "cognitive distortions" or, in other words, perception problems. These are (in the words of the study author): · Overestimation of the time left to perform tasks · Underestimation of the time required to complete tasks · Overestimation of future motivational states · Lack of reliance on the necessity of emotional congruence to succeed at the task · Belief that working when not in the mood to work is suboptimal Putting it another way or in more simplistic terms: · "I have plenty of time to get to that task. The deadline is not really till next week.” · "It won’t take me that long once I get started.” · “I will just wait and do it quickly later on. I'll do it later in the week. I'll feel more like it then. I really don't feel like it right now." · "I can't do a good job if I'm just not in the mood." · "I don't feel like doing it now and I shouldn't because, in this mood, I won't do a good job."
In my online
research to find a cure I came across a myriad of articles and
helpful sites but found much of what I needed reading this.
"Overcoming Procrastination: A New Look" 1. Start with clear, measurable, achievable goals. 2. Break the task down into bite-size pieces. 3. Commit five minutes to getting started then DO IT! At the end of five minutes, decide whether to commit to a further five minutes, and so on. This is an excellent way to break inertia. It seems once we get started on a task we just choose to finish it. Just think of all the extra time you have now earned to use creatively! 4. Set up organizational files to keep you on track. Create three files: (1) catch-up; (2) keep-up and (3) get-ahead. Place the tasks that are overdue and one’s you have been putting off in the catch-up file. These are the ones you will need to put on your calendar to work on daily and you can check them of as you move through the list. The keep-up file can contain tasks as they arise and you can emphasize completing these. In the get-ahead file, schedule time to initiate steps to take to utilize time for projects and activities that you want to do but never seem to have the time for. Procrastination is unproductive and can even be harmful to our best interests if taken to extremes. It is not just a simple act of putting off until tomorrow what we could get done today. Studies show that procrastination is a symptom of self-doubt, self-downing, discomfort-dodging and irrational guilt. In turn, the results of procrastination can be a further stimulus for the erroneous beliefs that led to procrastination in the first place. Recognize that the change process is rarely smooth but will certainly have up’s and down’s. If we persist at making the effort to become more efficient and effective there is no question this will improve the quality of our lives! The old adage “There is no time like the present” rings true and I for one am going to begin this new year with a pledge to cure my procrastination ailment. Now, that I have completed my task, I am going shopping! |
|
If you have a travel website, you have to read this book. It will introduce you to more ways to make money than you can imagine.
Order
it Now!
A complete Independent Study Course for starting a home-based travel agency is now available for shipping. This is a professionally edited new book that will help you get started in record time.
Order
it Now!
Order it Now!
Finally a comprehensive workbook companion to the Study Course. This workbook, start-up check list and test will make starting your own home-based travel business easy. If you plan on starting your business soon, be sure to purchase the workbook companion to the How to Start a Home Based Travel Agency Independent Sturdy Course.
Order
it Now!
|
||||||
 |
| Thanks for visiting the Home Based Travel Agent Information Center |
