Procrastination Kills

Helpful hints for public relations

and marketing professionals

By Shannon Mouton Gray

You may be a procrastinator if you…

You finish the simpler, low priority items on

your to-do list first.

You believe if you check them off you will be

able to focus on bigger picture items.

Focus on low priority tasks

Important tasks on your to-do list remains

untouched for weeks.

You set up project reminders and frequently

change the date.

Ignore your to-do list

You make time to do a high priority task and

something “more important” comes up –

make a phone call, check email, etc.

Work on something “more

important”

Always assist others

Rather than tackling your priorities, you

agree to do things when others ask you to

do.

You compulsively check your phone,

Twitter, Facebook, and e-mail for something

that will require your immediate attention.

Constantly check email, social

media, text messages

SOLUTIONS

Identify the tasks you put off most often and

then do them every day.

They will become habits and you will be able

to work them into your routine, rather than

avoid them.

Know yourself

Address your most dreaded task first thing in

the morning.

Do it and enjoy the fact you have completed

the task for the rest of the day.

Get it done early

Schedule the task during the time in the day

when your energy is highest.

If you typically hit a mid-afternoon slump,

you’re not likely to tackle a much dreaded

project then.

Use your internal clock

Sometimes you have to break a very large

project into smaller pieces.

As you complete each piece, you’ll be closer

to achieving the goal.

Set realistic deadlines.

Eat an elephant

“The secret of getting ahead is getting

started,” said Mark Twain.

Once you begin, your momentum will help

you keep going until the job is done.

Go, do, be

Always reward yourself for completing a to-

do list item.

Treat yourself to a nice lunch, go for a walk,

and celebrate with others if it was an

especially large project.

CELEBRATE!

To learn more about McKinney & Associates, visit www.mckpr.com

McKinney & Associates was founded in 1990 with a commitment to

social justice that has prevailed for nearly 25 years. From the beginning,

McKinney has passionately and skillfully practiced public relations with a

conscience for local, national and international organizations.

@mckpr

facebook.com/mckpr

youtube.com/mckinneypr

http://www.pinterest.com/mckpr/

http://www.slideshare.net/Duncanry

https://plus.google.com/u/0/116297499833607061286/about