Overcome
Your Fears and Procrastination to Achieve More
as a Leader
There
are some critical leadership mistakes every leader
MUST avoid to succeed.
Whether
we fear failure, aspire to perfection or lack
confidence, we can learn to see things differently.
See
below for your free bonus resources.
Overcoming
Procrastination: Pressing Past Your Fears
by
Colleen Kettenhofen
"Learn to see failure as a stepping stone
to your personal progress." Colleen Kettenhofen
Many of us procrastinate doing something for many
reasons.
Sometimes
it's a result of perfectionism. We reason that
if we can't do it perfectly, maybe we shouldn't
do it at all. Or, we procrastinate because something
is unpleasant. We just don't want to do it.
We
also procrastinate because of deep seated fears.
Unfounded fears mind you, but fears nonetheless.
For example, what if we do that thing and we fail?
We can learn from our mistakes if we'll look at
them from a new perspective. Adversity arms us
with increased knowledge, ability, and experience.
Not to mention increased self-confidence because
we overcame the perceived challenge. Yes, the
key word here is "perceived." It's all
in how we look at it. One person's passion is
another's peril.
1) Forget motivation. Just do
it. It sounds a bit harsh, but sometimes we just
have to do it. Get started on that task we don't
want to do. Because if we wait until we're motivated,
that day never comes. There are certain things
we simply will never want to do. Whether it's
cleaning the garage, clearing clutter from a closet,
or completing a report.
2)
In overcoming procrastination, all the motivational
hullabaloo and psychobabble won't always work.
Face your fears. What do you
need to change? What part of YOU do you need to
change? The only way out of fear is to go through
it.
3)
Take action. Get moving. Don't
wait another day. The future is now. Whatever
you do, don't stew. As the saying goes, worry
is interest paid on trouble before it is due.
Ever notice that once you get started on a task,
after a while you're on a roll? For example, you
say to yourself, "I'm going to work on this
project for half an hour, then, if I want to stop
I can."
4)
The hardest part of overcoming procrastination
is getting started. Try an experiment.
Tell yourself you will work on that thing for
just twenty minutes. After that, don't stop if
you feel like continuing. Press through until
you've finished. See if you don't feel better.
5)
Think about how good you'll feel when
it's done. See if this sounds familiar:
Consider a time when you've procrastinated doing
something. All the while you're working on a fun
task instead. But in the back of your mind, you're
thinking about what you should be doing. And it
ruins all the fun!
Once you complete the task you'd procrastinated,
you feel so much better, lighter and happier.
You're saying to yourself, "If only I'd completed
this sooner. I would have been so much better
off!" Sound familiar? Been there, done that.
In overcoming procrastination, think AHEAD of
time how much better you'll feel just getting
it done. You'll feel a surge of energy and self-esteem.
6) Don't take failure personally.
Don't internalize it. So, what if you finally
do that thing and it doesn't go as planned? See
it as a learning experience. See your setback
as temporary, not as a permanent fatal flaw. Remember,
it's our response that determines if we will keep
moving forward or give up.
7)
Avoid blaming. Let go the mistake
but don't lose the lesson. If we are always looking
for outside circumstances or someone else to blame,
we're not moving forward. Don't be a blamer. You
know these people. Maybe someone you work or live
with. They're so focused on blaming. They never
learn the lesson to move them toward success.
8) Adversity creates maturity.
Overcoming adversity builds strength and character.
It shifts our priorities and changes our perspective.
Petty annoyances don't matter as much. For example,
several years ago in South Carolina, I delivered
a keynote speech to cancer survivors and their
relatives. I had them break into groups and share
what they'd learned from a cancer diagnosis. Here
were some phrases I heard many times over: "I've
learned not to sweat the small stuff. I now know
what matters. My relationships have improved.
I have a greater appreciation for nature."
9) Find mentors. Model yourself
after people you admire. What steps have they
taken in overcoming procrastination, facing their
fears, and achieving success? See if you can talk
with them. Heed their advice. Listening to others
share how they've overcome adversity is a huge
motivator. You realize you're not alone. Don't
isolate. Don't try to do it all on your own. Isolation
is the killer of dreams. Take it a step at a time.
Don't be afraid to ask for help.
For
those of you who like control (you know who you
are!) and tend to do everything on your own, here
is a quote by Joyce Meyer: In her book "Woman
to Woman," she writes, "If you are struggling
with something in your life, ask yourself honestly
if you are putting your faith in God, believing
that His grace will meet the need, or if you are
relying on your own abilities and leaving Him
out of the loop?"
Twice,
when I picked up her book, it happened to open
to the page with that quote. My eyes fell on the
words. I don't think it was by accident. I think
it was for me. And I think it was for me to share
with you.
About
the author: Colleen Kettenhofen is a
speaker, workplace expert, & co-author of
"The Masters of Success," as featured
on the Today Show, along with Ken Blanchard and
Jack Canfield. For free articles, e-newsletter,
or to order the book visit www.ColleenSpeaks.com
Topics: leadership, success, difficult people,
public speaking. Colleen is available for keynotes,
breakout sessions and seminars. (971)212-2412.
www.ColleenSpeaks.com
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