Procrastination can range from simply putting off a mundane chore or rescheduling a dental visit to more debilitating forms where  making a decision can be actually painful. Afraid of making a mistake; some people can become so paralyzed they just do nothing.

Utilizing a powerful took like The Birkman Method® to identify your unique abilities and strengths is not only empowering but it can help you in creating goals that are “right” for you and therefore easier for you to achieve.  

Today, I want to share some helpful advice that may help you procrastinators implement or overcome  a stalled job search  and make you Early Bird’s serious competition for great opportunities.

There are a number of ways to overcome procrastination, according to CareerCast.com, including:

1. Delay gratification - Do the objectionable tasks during the first two hours each day, then accomplish the easier tasks in the remaining time.
2. Identify action steps - Identify specific actions, then organize the tasks and establish an action plan. For example, research job openings, potential employers, and people in your industry, then compose emails and cover letters to them.
3. Just do something - If you're having trouble getting started, make an opening move of any kind—update your LinkedIn profile and request new contacts; create alerts on job boards; or subscribe to an online industry publication.
4. Create small victories - Finding a job can take many months. If you start to get discouraged, motivate yourself by creating mileposts along the way, and then reward yourself each time you reach one.
5. The Swiss-cheese method - When faced with the overwhelming task of finding new employment, you don’t need to commit a big block of time all at once. Think of several easy tasks that can be done in 10 minutes or less.

There are many underlying reasons that can cause people to “put off until tomorrow what they can do today.” Certainly, too many to list here. If you really do find yourself suffering (or causing others to suffer) from your indecisive or less than passionate behavior,  I would suggest you find a professional who can help. Life is too short and too precious to let procrastination keep you from living a single exciting second of it… but remember also to smell those pretty roses and that sometimes the sky just looks bluer from a hammock’s perspective.

Today, I plan on having a perfectly lazy summer day!

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