I’m having trouble with procrastination…

Published: Fri, 06/28/19

Hello, ,

This week on the blog I heard from a direct seller who said,

“Gale, I have trouble with procrastination. I’m tired, my days are long, whenever I get free time I just want to do what I feel like. There are times I can work my business and I DON’T! How can you help me get unstuck and stop procrastinating. I want to grow my business and get ahead.”

In the dictionary, the word, procrastinate, means

To defer action, delay needlessly.
To put off until another day or time. To postpone what one should be doing.

Here’s the truth and this is the first thing I’ll tell this lovely woman, EVERYONE PROCRASTINATES! In fact, I’m probably one of the biggest procrastinators. I wait until the last possible second to do most things. I rarely run ahead of schedule! (Ask my V.A. She’s always waiting every week to receive this ezine.)

However, even being a procrastinator, I still manage to

Keep up with a full coaching practice
Write articles every week
Create new products and coaching workshops every month
Run a part-time fashion boutique
Post on social media every day

How do I do this?

I have systems in place that keep me focused on an end result! (I’m a results-oriented person.) I put systems in place that make it extremely uncomfortable to not do what I say I will do.

Here are a few things I do and I would suggest to my lovely friend who is struggling with procrastination take notice.

The FIRST thing I do that is non-negotiable is work in my planner! My planner keeps me accountable. It actually TELLS me what I need to be doing every day.
The second part of this planner system is working with my one-notebook system. This is a system I teach every client and they love it! They can’t believe the difference it makes in getting things done.

I create a productivity ritual – what does that mean? That means every project I want to create has its own file full of papers and ideas and when I get ready to work on that project I clear my desk so only that project is visible for me to focus on. To get this project done, I use the Pomodoro Technique. (another system I teach my clients) and I love, love, this system because it WORKS! We lovingly call them POM TIME! So, we have POM Booking time, POM follow-up time, etc.

I also teach my clients how to WEEKLY time block. Every week in our world is different with our busy lives and like my friend says above, she works hard all day, comes home and is tired – no energy – so it’s important to find that time in your week when you know you’ll have that energy to grow your business.

These are “TOOLS” I use to help me with procrastination. But, what about her comment, “There are times when I can work my business, but I don’t!” This is about finding that energy that inspires you to work! That is all about self-care. Think about it, if you came home tired, what would inspire you to work on your business? Would you take a nice hot bath with a candle and relax? Would you read an inspirational book? Would just sit quiet and relax? Hit reply to this email and tell me what self-care you do, so you’re inspired to do your work.

Finally, the number one thing I recommend to all my clients to help them with procrastination is ACCOUNTABILITY!

Who do you have to keep you accountable?

What ways do you have to keep you accountable?

The answer to these two questions is having SOMEONE (like a coach, or accountability partner) who will not only help you stay focused and on track, but they will inspire to get the work done!

Of course, I’m going to pitch you right now and ask you

What results do you want to achieve in your business?
When do you want to accomplish these results?
Why do you want them?
Who do you have in your life to keep you accountable?

If procrastination is not a problem for you, then you will know the answer to these questions. However, if ONE ANSWER is difficult, then I suggest you consider scheduling a 30 minute strategy session with me, to see if coaching is the answer for you. I have programs that may just be the ANSWER to procrastination you’ve been looking for, for a long, long time!

In the meantime, check out my LATEST blog post on working with your planner to get bookings.

There are literally TWO DAYS LEFT to get my Direct Sales Planner for FREE when you order the MINI workshop, ON YOUR MARK, GET SET BOOK!

I hope your END OF JUNE is successful, I just left some tips on Marco Polo for one of my beautiful clients who is being accountable with me, her coach!

Love & Success,

Gale Bates, Your “Make the Leap” Mentor

PS. Things are getting exciting over in my FREE 90-day Challenge Group on Facebook. We have some challenges that will help you set your goals and accomplish them. Join us HERE.