Page 191 - End Procrastination Now Get it Done with a Proven Psychological Approach

Applying Techniques to Address Procrastination in the Workplace 155

• Shriveling the effects of procrastination by emphasizing pro-
ductive actions to achieve performance goals
• Taking charge of my life by persistently following up on what
is important to do

Positive missions to defeat procrastination are more precise.
They say what you are going to do to achieve the things that are
important to get done. Thus, they involve a two-phase process:
(1) doing something (2) to achieve something. Here are sample
missions that address specific procrastination conditions more
concretely:

• Taking a public speaking class in order to improve
expressive skills
• Increasing wellness through following a healthy diet and a
moderate exercise program
• Contributing to the community by improving the welfare of
handicapped children

A good general approach is to have a concrete mission. How-
ever, I’ve worked with people who preferred the general variety
that are not popular with me, and did quite well. As the saying
goes, different strokes for different folks.
What is your counter-procrastination mission? Write it in
this box:

Set Concrete Goals. What is the difference between a goal and a
mission? Losing 30 pounds is a goal, but a lifetime of eating bal-
anced meals to promote health is a mission. Passing a test is a goal;
learning to develop knowledge and wisdom is a mission. Getting