In any situation, personal or professional, don’t we often wish that tasks would magically just get done? Figuring out a way to beat procrastination and making a habit of staying accountable to yourself isn’t easy, but it is possible. So where do we begin and how?
We are all guilty of making a list of goals with all the ambition in the world the night before. Then we tell ourselves “5 more minutes” after the third snooze the next morning because rest is important after all.
What you should know is that you are not alone in this. Many of us have the tendency to give in to laziness and excuses.
There are many reasons why motivation and good intentions fade:
The pressure of deadlines doesn’t affect you
It’s unclear what you need to do to get the results you want
You may not even know what you want
There may be so many things you want to accomplish that you don’t even know where to start
The possibilities are endless. One thing is for sure, however: Whatever you decide to think on and whatever you decide to act on, will have consequences. Therefore, you need to take responsibility for the decisions you make.
So, what do we do to change this? Well, first of all, congratulations! If you have noticed and are keen to address the need for improvement, you have already achieved the very first step to making the change come true.
As for the next stage, here are some ways to ensure you stay accountable to yourself:
Start being brutally honest with yourself.
Put together a checklist for yourself, much like creating an inventory, but on the subject of yourself. Ask yourself what you’re struggling with. What are the things you always seem to overlook, things you know you have to do but never seem to get done? What other areas could you improve? List all of them down as the areas that you need to deal with on priority.
Avoid looking at faults negatively.
The attitude with which we approach an issue is an indication of how we see ourselves. Self-sabotaging will only further delay the completion of a task. A positive mindset motivates us to see more solutions than problems in every aspect of life.
Prioritise your tasks.
There may be days when everything will seem urgent and immediate. To avoid attacking tasks at the last minute and manifesting confusion, make a clear and concise list of tasks in order of priority. This allows you to focus on one task at a time and gives way for clear thinking.
Set time limits.
Every action plan needs an action plan of its own. If you are someone who gets easily distracted, the best way to tackle a task would be to set a time limit to accomplish it, even if it is done in parts. Strictly dedicate this time only to the completion of the task and nothing else. Taking dedicated breaks in between can help encourage and re-energize the mind and body.
Celebrate the small wins.
Rewarding yourself is a critical part of growing out of procrastination and avoidance. It not only motivates us but also allows us to assess our progress and what’s next.
Review yourself.
Much like what managers do in organizations, check in with yourself at regular intervals to evaluate your performance. Each time, allocate a new set of SMART(Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant & Time-based) goals. Review your progress to see if you have met these goals. If not, review what went wrong and what can you do to fix it going forward.
All of the tasks above may seem exhausting and overwhelming. At the end of the day, no matter how many motivational articles, self-help books, or informative articles you read, you have to get the job done. While there are times when things are out of your control, how you react to those circumstances and how you decide to approach any situation that is within your control is entirely up to you.
Make small changes to start with & make every small change a habit, rather than a short-term goal.
Our team at Tattvamassi wishes you all the best in this endeavor. We hope our few suggestions help you achieve your goals. Reach out to us for more guidance or schedule a 1-on-1 with our coach at www.tattvamassi.com
David Ogilvy once said, “The way up the ladder is open to everybody”. But what does it actually mean to ‘climb up the corporate ladder?
The ladder is a metaphor for the advancement or directional path of an employee within an organization. Based on internal hierarchies and industry type, the corporate ladder varies with every company, and more importantly, every individual.
In today’s world, the larger part of the workforce is occupied by millennials and hence the lessons that were taught to their seniors may not stand valid. Why? Millennials enjoy and appreciate flexibility and convenience. They value having stable mental and physical health and like to learn in their own new, experimental ways. They are a group that’s unafraid to try new things, even if it means changing their career paths multiple times. Therefore, something that would be looked at negatively in the past is seen as an indicator of more personal growth and maturity today.
With so much competition around, how does one start climbing the corporate ladder?
Before taking the first step on the ladder, it is important to set one’s career goals. In order to do this, ask yourself a set of questions that will guide you to your answer and also act as the motivation to take on the challenge.
Where are you now, and where do you wish to be?
Where do your interests lie?
What are your key takeaways from previous reviews?
How can you better yourself to achieve your goal?
Now that your BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) has been determined, time to climb up!
Step 1: Create a Blueprint
This blueprint will act as the ultimate guide to success. It allows one to create their own path to the top and sheds light on the big picture, motivating one to stay focused and draw up an action plan to achieve one small goal at a time instead of getting overwhelmed by the size of it all.
Step2: Get to work
Let your dedication and perseverance towards the job and the goal do the talking for you. Staying on top of your work and working smarter allows you to stand out in the crowd. While you’re at it, draw boundaries for yourself to avoid burnout.
Step 3: Keep learning
Staying motivated every day could seem like a herculean task. Make time to learn new things to re-energize your mind and body. Keep an eye on changes in the industry, follow what the leaders or experts of the industry are saying today. Aim to up-skill and learn new skills as part of your career development as well as personal growth. All of these efforts aid you in becoming an asset to the company.
Step 4: Network, network, network
Reports say that networking is one of the top traditional ways to discover new opportunities, lessons, and people! The stronger your network, the more seamless your growth. Networking with peers is the easiest way to begin, but you can also take it one step further by seeking out a professional mentor. This person can weigh in and provide invaluable feedback and be a part of your journey to the top. Attending networking events and being part of local business clubs could double your chances of getting to know the right people.
Step 5: Be a good team player
Working with a team not only gives your managers and peers an insight to your values as a person, it also adds value to your personal growth. Learning from others is the fastest and easiest way to learn. Nurturing positive relations amongst co-workers builds faith and better results.
Step 6: Initiate more
It is now time to drop all inhibitions about being a follower instead of a leader. With trustworthy peers by your side, take the call to be more initiative and suggestive of ideas to the right groups. One way to overcome any inhibitions about voicing your ideas is to think “as if”. As if you were the manager; What would you do then? With this, you learn to pay more attention to how those at a higher position than you function, manage, communicate and live their day at work. Make notes and devise your own way of working. This little study allows you to think and plan ahead of time.
Step 7: Keep track of your accomplishments
Build your portfolio. With so much happening every day, it is easy to forget the big achievements over time. Keeping a track of it without boasting helps you prepare for your current and future role, giving seniors the clarity they need on your ability to deliver.
Step 8: And finally Stay motivated through it all.
Climbing the ladder is not an overnight task. It is one that takes and needs patience and perseverance in order to be achieved. When things seem stagnant no matter how much effort is being put in, go back to your blueprint and reflect on what motivated you to take on this challenge. Keep your eyes on the prize and persevere till you succeed.
While all this might seem simple, sometimes we need help breaking through these plateaus. This is where working with a coach has helped millions across the world set themselves up for success. A coach not only acts as a sounding board but also questions your decisions to help you access the best way forward for you.
If you are ready to succeed and want to work with a coach reach out to us at www.tattvamassi.com
