Page 211 - End Procrastination Now Get it Done with a Proven Psychological Approach
P. 211
Sample Therapy Script for a Procrastination Scenario 175
Interaction Process Comments
Bill: Should is one of those words with different Client repeats the
meanings. One is a reminder: I should remem- idea that he shouldn’t
ber to buy a loaf of bread. Another is a tyrannical have to do them and
or coercive should. If you think that the reviews that they are a waste
are unfairly dumped on you, that they are a waste of time. The timing
of time, and that you should not be required to seems better for
do them, you might view them as taking time probing this issue.
away from what you’d like to do and feel Clarify the potential
resentful and resist doing them. Another view key word should to
is that you should live up to your standards by determine whether
doing whatever you undertake perfectly well. it represents an ex-
So it isn’t the word so much as its context and pectation or is used
what it means. conditionally. The
waste of time idea
If you use should as a reminder, you’ll probably can be explored later.
feel differently from the way you would feel if
should meant that you must do performance
reviews. Of these three views on shoulds, do
any fit?
Ted: (Long pause) It’s funny that you put it
that way. I think it’s two ways. I resent doing
them. But I think that if I must do them, I want
to make them really meaningful for my people.
I want them to make a difference. I want my
people to have new insights into how to be
super salespeople.
Bill: And when you think you must make your Ask clarifying ques-
performance reviews meaningful, what follows tion that may estab-
that thought? lish a link between
expectations and
potential emotional
consequences.
Ted: I think they’ll be disappointed.
Bill: Because? The question invites
Ted to expand the
issue and for me to
better understand his
perspective.
Ted: (Pause) I won’t do well enough. I’ll get
criticized.