T I M E M A N A G E M E N T
reason 6. You Find It Difficult to Concentrate
You may think about what you’re going to cook for dinner
tonight or you daydream about what you’re going to do this week-
end. You may be distracted by ringing telephones or other people’s
conversations, or you may spend time performing such mindless
tasks as reorganizing your desk drawer or making lots of unneces-
sary trips to the restroom or copy room. So you put off getting the
job done; you sit and think about it but take no action.
Take the initiative to confront this concentration problem. If
it’s serious and constant, you may benefit from professional help.
If you’re not ready to admit that it’s out of your control, then plan
alternatives for occasional lapses of concentration. Stand and
stretch, or get a few minutes of fresh air (set yourself a limit—this
is just a break, after all). Change a distracting work environment
by moving your desk or computer, or place a barrier to block your
view. Take away the temptation to wander away from your work
area by making sure you have the supplies and information you
need before starting on a task. Set a timed reminder to help you
stay on task. By acknowledging this “weakness,” you can modify
your behavior accordingly.
The Magic Bullet for Procrastination
There isn’t one, sorry. But there is a solution if you’re willing to, as
Nike advises, “just do it.”
Identify the reason for the procrastination. Don’t try to be per-
fect. Confront your attitudes and fears. Weigh the consequences.
Break down the big intimidating projects into small approachable
tasks. Give yourself thirty minutes to finish each one. Then deal
with it!