Page 209 - End Procrastination Now Get it Done with a Proven Psychological Approach

Sample Therapy Script for a Procrastination Scenario 173

Interaction Process Comments

Bill: Let’s see if we can figure out what is going Set the stage for
on. Let’s start with your view that performance problem solving.
reviews are a waste of time.
Ted: Yeah, they are a waste of time. I have better Problem clarification.
things to do. I shouldn’t have to do them. Get the client’s per-
spective on what’s
required. Log the
client’s “shouldn’t
have to do it” belief
for later use when the
timing is better for
clarifying or dealing
with this issue.

Bill: What do you do for each review?
Ted: I have to fill out a rating scale and make
general comments.
Bill: On average, how long does it take to com- Gather information
plete each review? on time commitment.
Ted: It takes half an hour to do and half an hour
to give the results.

Bill: So would 20 hours be a realistic estimate for
the reviews for all five salespeople and your as-
sistant? That would include putting together the
information and handling rescheduling issues.

Ted: I should be able to get them done in less
time than that.
Bill: So the amount of time it takes isn’t as much Clarifying Ted’s idea
the problem as what you make of the reviews for what he should be
themselves. Are performance reviews part of able to do is tempting
every manager’s assignment? to address. This is a
timing issue. It’s also
a tracking issue. So I
stuck with the theme
to avoid sidetracking.
I’ll deal with Ted’s
meaning of “should”
later.

Ted: Everyone has to do them.