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180 End Procrastination Now!

Interaction Process Comments

Ted: You name it. I start filing old sales reports.
I call my wife to talk about the kids. I do some
joint sales calls. I check the stock market. I meet
with other department heads. I sometimes close
and lock my office door and nap. I fantasize
about buying a business and having others do
the performance reviews.

Bill: It sounds as if you’ve got that part of pro-
crastination pinned down.
Ted: Yes. I skimmed your book on procrastina- Putting himself out of
tion before this meeting. The section on diver- the way to gather in-
sions got my attention. I said to myself, My God, formation and pre-
that is what I do. I think I know I’m procrastinat- pare for his session
ing. It’s almost like I’m doing these things with- suggests that Ted
out thinking about what I’m doing. It’s hard feels motivated to
to explain. I know I’m sidetracking when I do change. Or at least
these things, but I don’t seem to be able to motivated to impress
stop myself. the therapist.
Bill: Is there anything that you are aware of Check on intervening
before you sidetrack yourself? variables, such as
what Ted is thinking,
that goes between his
awareness of the per-
formance review and
his task-avoidance
behaviors.
Ted: (Pause) My body tightens, and I feel really
resistant about starting. Sometimes I feel
really tired.
Bill: Do you have any thoughts about the
reviews?
Ted: Yeah. Like I said, I start thinking that they’re There are many
a crock and a waste of time. I know I’ll have to choice points in
do them. I’d just rather do them later. therapy.
Rather than deal with
reviews as a “crock,” I
checked on later think-
ing. However, follow-
ing up his views of the
reviews is also valid.