Don’t Be Your Own Road Block

Now that you have a business idea, congratulations are in order. Wait, you’ve had that business idea since 2010? Are you still waiting for further inspiration to strike? Is your LED sign gathering dust on one corner, and your open sign still uninstalled? In the first place, do you have the lease on your store space already? No? You must be one hell of a procrastinator!

Image source: Making Mountains Move

The thing about delaying things to do until the last minute is that people who are more industrious and punctual may prove to be your antagonists. Having a brain that’s full of ideas and knowledge is one thing, but those who are knowledgeable and industrious, and those who do things on time, those who “strike while the iron is hot” have the deadly combination. And by deadly, I mean deadly to people like you, procrastinators. People who deal with things with a sense of urgency will be your downfall, especially when the both of you have the same business idea. While that person is already running your business, you may still be putting off things for tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. Unless you do not put an end to that cycle, you will be left to eat that other person’s dust, not to mention the dust off your still uninstalled open sign.

So, get out of the rut you’ve snuggled comfortably into and stop procrastinating. It may be easier said than done, so here are some pieces of advice to set you to be a more proactive person: 

• Specific deadlines and clear goals on what should be finished within a schedule are better than clumping all tasks for a 'big' day.

There are a lot of people who delay doing things and wait for one day when they feel they have all; the energy, inspiration, and all the factors needed to do everything that needs to be done. The thing is, what if something happens on that “big day”? What if you suddenly fall sick? What if there is a power interruption? What if you suddenly feel lethargic? That’s a lot of backlogged work to be backlogged anew. Do a number of things every day and do not wait for divine inspiration or a burst of energy to happen in a single day.

• Pit-stops and unrelated activities that take time like web browsing and other distractions should be eliminated.

Focus on the task at hand. Do not let things like surfing on the Internet derail you. Something common among procrastinators: excuses. If you can’t work because you don’t “function in a dirty room,” so you’d need to clean up first, then transfer to another room and work ASAP. If you are waiting for your excuses to stop, then you’ll be amazed at how many you can come up. Concentrate on what needs to be done and do away with excuses and distractions. 

• Procrastinators should get inspiration from influencers who do not play with their time.

Work with people who are focuses and determined to get the job on time. Their sense of urgency and timeliness should rub off on you.