Out of Control? - Breathing Space Blog

Early warning signs when you’re heading for an "out of control" situation: Control is always based on your perception; still any time you start stacking horizontal piles on your desk you are operating in a malfunctioning mode.

If you find yourself perpetually 5 to 10 minutes late for meetings and always handling activities up to the last minute before turning your attention to what is next, you are leaving yourself wide open for some anxious moments. Also if you don't give yourself enough physical space to handle a task you are also likely to feel out of control.

Out of Control? - Breathing Space Blog

Early warning signs when you’re heading for an "out of control" situation: Control is always based on your perception; still any time you start stacking horizontal piles on your desk you are operating in a malfunctioning mode.

If you find yourself perpetually 5 to 10 minutes late for meetings and always handling activities up to the last minute before turning your attention to what is next, you are leaving yourself wide open for some anxious moments. Also if you don't give yourself enough physical space to handle a task you are also likely to feel out of control.

Overcome Procrastination - Breathing Space Blog

Here are eight tips on overcoming procrastination in the new year, derived from my internationally acclaimed book, The 60 Second Self-Starter, published by Adams Media:

1. Realize that wanting to start on a task is different than deciding to.

2. Relate the underlying meaning of your task to something larger.

3. Don't wait until you're "in the mood." True professionals never do.

4. Recognize that unpleasant tasks are not likely to get more pleasant as time passes.

5. Expect some level of breakdown or backsliding. Progress is not always even; two steps forward and one step back is more often the rule than the exception.

6. Choose someone who can serve as a trailblazer and help you get started.

7. Have somebody waiting for your work.

8. Be forthright with yourself and acknowledge when you're procrastinating, and you'll be that much closer to taking action.

Overcome Procrastination - Breathing Space Blog

Here are eight tips on overcoming procrastination in the new year, derived from my internationally acclaimed book, The 60 Second Self-Starter, published by Adams Media:

1. Realize that wanting to start on a task is different than deciding to.

2. Relate the underlying meaning of your task to something larger.

3. Don't wait until you're "in the mood." True professionals never do.

4. Recognize that unpleasant tasks are not likely to get more pleasant as time passes.

5. Expect some level of breakdown or backsliding. Progress is not always even; two steps forward and one step back is more often the rule than the exception.

6. Choose someone who can serve as a trailblazer and help you get started.

7. Have somebody waiting for your work.

8. Be forthright with yourself and acknowledge when you're procrastinating, and you'll be that much closer to taking action.

The Psychic Cost of Procastination - Breathing Space Blog

An article years back, titled “Man returns book overdue since 1960,” highlights the high cost of procrastrination. Robert Nuranen of Hancock, Michigan turned in a book that he had borrowed for a ninth-grade assignment. Mr. Nuranen claimed that his mother misplaced the copy of "Prince of Egypt" while cleaning.

Every now and then, the family came across the book, only to set it aside again. (Hardly his mother’s fault.) He found the book again near New Year’s day while going through a box in the attic, looking for something else

"I figured I'd better get it in before we waited another 10 years," he reported. With with a $171.32 check, equal to 47 years' worth of late fees, he proceeded to the library. The librarian said that the library had long ago lost any record of the book, but she said, "I'm going to use it as an example," she said. "It's never too late to return your books."

If only he had read my book, The 60 Second Procrastinator. He might have turned it in a bit earlier!

The Psychic Cost of Procastination - Breathing Space Blog

An article years back, titled “Man returns book overdue since 1960,” highlights the high cost of procrastrination. Robert Nuranen of Hancock, Michigan turned in a book that he had borrowed for a ninth-grade assignment. Mr. Nuranen claimed that his mother misplaced the copy of "Prince of Egypt" while cleaning.

Every now and then, the family came across the book, only to set it aside again. (Hardly his mother’s fault.) He found the book again near New Year’s day while going through a box in the attic, looking for something else

"I figured I'd better get it in before we waited another 10 years," he reported. With with a $171.32 check, equal to 47 years' worth of late fees, he proceeded to the library. The librarian said that the library had long ago lost any record of the book, but she said, "I'm going to use it as an example," she said. "It's never too late to return your books."

If only he had read my book, The 60 Second Procrastinator. He might have turned it in a bit earlier!