Category Archives: procrastination

so much noise

Posted by on March 26, 2012 No comments

Everyday it’s harder to focus on getting great work done.

Beyond the usual suspects (Facebook, family, random distractions, etc.) we’re having more content then ever being thrown at us at ever increasing speeds. There’s important work to be done, we know it, but selecting what action to take and when is also something you certainly have to learn for yourself – not many teach this skill. Even better, those who have learned how to prioritize can certainly regurgitate the urgent vs important philosophy, but I bet being a fly on their wall would show you just how close they actually emulate those effective habits (my guess is not often).

Even if you can get past the noise today and make some great decisions/take great actions – do you do this every day or are you like most – when you’re feeling good you do good when you’re not you play hooky or just stay “busy”? If this is you, its OK, but just so you’re clear these habits will NOT get you to where you truly want to be.

Here’s what I suggest…

1. Block out an hour a day. (uninterrupted time, sooner in the day the better)
2. Commit to completing exactly three actions. (average 20min per action)
3. Get support. (choose a friend/coach/mentor who can keep you accountable)

We built a process centered around this call MIGHT. We believe in a better way to do the work.
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Crouching Tiger, Hidden Procrastination

Posted by on March 23, 2012 No comments

I would imagine most people know what actions they can and should be taking to propel their business forward. The trouble typically for that particular person is there are “other things” they can do that aren’t nessecarily as effective but could be done. So they participate in those lesser activities instead.

This is a popular form of procrastination that all of us inevitably participate in daily. It doesn’t feel like we’re procrastinating when we’re still taking action on items that “should” get done, but in terms of really showing up effectively in our business, when we choose to accomplish lower priority actions over top tier priorities (see revenue generating) human beings generally will opt for the easier route. These easy actions instantaneously can make us feel better about our business but seldom if ever rewards us the way we truly desire.

So what are some of these hidden forms of procrastination? Checking email, Facebook, reading, research, self-educating, and jumping on conference calls are some of the more common vices we feed. Most people struggling in their businesses today are investing too much time on these types of activities and not enough time on actually talking to or with prospective clients.

Based on my personal experience, most amateurs that parade around as entrepreneurs invest about 80% (or more) of their time pretending to be “productive” but are actually procrastinating. Next time you’re deciding what action to take next, ask yourself a new question: “Is this action making me any money?”

Don’t get me wrong. Money isn’t the focal point. That said, our best actions to evolve our business forward are almost always centered around the revenue our business generates.

NEWS FLASH: If your business doesn’t generate revenue, it’s not a business… it’s a hobby.

distinguishing between busy and productive

Posted by on January 26, 2011 No comments

As an entrepreneur you might not have a more important task than understanding the true difference between being busy and being productive. It’s an illusion that you must strip away quick or you’re going to blow a lot of time, energy, effort, and money pretending to struggle in a business or endeavor you probably never truly started to begin with.

All the research in the world, studying, and ramping up – equates to nothing when it comes to getting results (typically). Hey – we all do it. Just don’t trick yourself into believing you’ve been productive. THAT is where we make our biggest mistake. The last thing the world needs is another fake entrepreneur walking around upset at his results when he never really did anything.

Those shoes cause blisters… I should know, I’ve got a pair in my closet that I wear from time to time.