I’m embarrassed it took me so long. And what a difference it made when I finally did it.
Ever since I upgraded to Windows 10, my aging PC really slowed down. It also often froze, and even my podcast recordings were becoming compromised.
I knew I needed a new machine, but I didn’t take action (unless asking around for a good replacement and some web research counts for action).
I just kept stumbling along with what I had.
Until recently, that is. When I finally pulled the trigger on a new PC (on sale, of course).
Some of my obstacles included:
Extra cash for a new one was hard to come by, especially as we wrap up school and camp payments.
I wasn’t really sure what to get.
I didn’t want to deal with all of the setup time and effort.
In other words, I thought small and suffered the consequences.
But now that I did it I feel great and can see such a difference. And it didn’t even take me long to set things up. (Three cheers for the cloud!)
What is holding you and your business back? And what actions should you be taking, but aren’t?
Look, we all procrastinate. Sometimes we simply don’t like doing the needed task or don’t feel that we can afford doing it. Often we can be fearful of the result or of what other might say. Maybe we feel ill-prepared to take action. Or we may have too much on our plate.
How can we get ourselves to stop procrastinating and take action? Here are some strategies you can start to use right away.
Set and write down goals with deadlines. Add reminders to your calendar.
Determine what’s holding you back. Is there something you need to learn first before taking action, such as a skill or content? Do you need to check in with someone and gauge their support? Whatever it is, do it so you can move the rest of the project forward.
Divide and conquer. Often, the enormity of the task paralyzes us. Seek to break down your goal or task into small pieces you can act on right away.
Engage in positive self-talk (or have others do it for you). In most cases, you can do it. You just need to believe in yourself and articulate why you are most capable of getting this done. Think about past successes and the skills and knowledge you possess that will help you in this endeavor.
Visualize how it’ll look and feel when you’re done. What will the outcome bring you in terms of quality of life, workplace advancement, improved relationships, overall satisfaction, etc.?
Reward your progress. Set up a motivating reward system to ensure you celebrate progress and small successes along the way. This can include a treat for yourself, a fun activity with friends, or something else that acknowledges your progress and effort.
By Rabbi Dr. Naphtali Hoff
Rabbi Naphtali Hoff, PsyD, is an executive coach and president of Impactful Coaching & Consulting. For a free, no-obligation consultation, please call 212.470.6139 or email [email protected]. Check out his new leadership book, “Becoming the New Boss,” on Amazon and on the book site BecomingtheNewBoss.com.
