Learn how to overcome procrastination.

Nearly every day, clients and prospective clients come to me with a big idea or project they want to tackle. Some are brimming with excitement, others with concern. Either way, some jump right in while others just seem to stall. Procrastination can be crushing.

I think it stems from a perception that their project will be difficult, expensive, or confusing. The key word is perception. How then, can we get moving when stalled on a new project? Here are some tactics that have worked for me.

Ask the question: What other information do I need? Sometimes we need to do research to get started with a project; sometimes we already have all the information. If you need more information, decide specifically what that is and make a plan to get it. If you have everything, look at it all together so you can see the big picture of the project to feel more confident.

Keep reminding yourself about the benefits of hitting the goal. It’s not easy to do your weekly networking, or to start a new certificate course, or to switch to a new customer relationship management tool. But keep your eye on the end result. More leads, in-demand services, and an organized client database. Imagine the bliss of the finish line.

Break the project down into manageable tasks. Something like redesigning your website can seem like a huge task. But if you break it down, you’ll see more manageable chunks of work. In this case, start with the homepage and make a list of what you want to include – things like Facebook and LinkedIn social media icons, a head shot of yourself, a testimonial from a client, a link to your calendar. The point is, be as specific as you can. I use Asana for this task, but pen and paper work, too. Monday and Trello are also user-friendly options. 

Leave perfectionism behind. It’s better to get started and improve the work rather than wait until you have every detail just right. You’ll learn as you go and make it better over time.

Apply these simple ideas and put procrastination away forever!
 

You don’t rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.

James Clear, Atomic Habits