Do it Now

It is winter time, a great time for reflection, introspection, hot chocolate by the fire and long conversations with far away friends. Combine that with all the shopping and holiday activity, and business activity can slow down this season unless you are a caterer or you are in a retail business. Still there are things that you would like to accomplish by the end of the year. Things you realize you have put off all year or all quarter, things you just can't see waiting until next year to complete. If you want to get things done before it is put to bed then I suggest you consider and implement some of the following.nno Prioritize
Sometimes we have so much to do that we feel paralyzed. When that happens write down everything you think you need to do. Decide what is urgent, and what you can put off, then ask yourself if there is anything on that list that you can forget about doing and is there anything that someone else can do. nno Work in Increments
When you feel you have an endless sea of things to do, tell yourself you will give yourself a break in an hour. Psychologically you will feel more at ease with the situation. At the end of the hour take a break even if it is a few minutes walk down the hall. This is also good for the creative process, it gives your conscious mind an opportunity to wander and come up with some new ideas.nno Identify any mental block and begi

Often I procrastinate when I need to do some writing. The mental block that is in my way is that I believe or feel that I don't know how to say what I want to say. However if I I sit down and start tapping on the computer keyboard it would work itself out. Don't sit around wondering how you might, clean out the garage, write that letter or paint your office, simply start to do it and it will work itself out.nno Acknowledge any fear, and consider what is the worst thing that could happen. Some sales people I have worked with have had mild to severe call reluctance. Instead of making marketing calls which is their priority they clean off their desk, shuffle some papers and take a long lunch. You can be very busy and still be procrastinating. When you notice you are reluctant to do the very thing you know you must do ask yourself "what is the worst thing that can happen"? Usually the possibility of it happening is worse than it actually happening. Also the worst thing that could happen rarely happens.
If you are afraid to make a call because someone might say no, if you call and they say no at least you have taken the action and now you can put your attention on the next person that might say yes. nno Create Accountability
There is a lot of value in telling someone you are going to do something and telling them by when you are going to do it and knowing that the next time you speak to them you have to tell them it is done. This works fabulously, you can create this accountability with a friend a coworker or your business coach. It is best not to create accountability with your significant other because this can create challenges in the relationship when you don't keep your agreements.nno Break it down into bite size chunks. I used to tell myself that I would take a whole day and do nothing else but clean my office. I never did it because the idea was to dreadful. Instead what I do now is work on it in 15 minute segments.nno Make it Fun
If you are dreading doing something, find a way to make it fun. I always pay my bills while watching a Star Trek rerun, that makes it tolerable. I have a client who would return all possible phone calls from her Jacuzzi early in the morning. Play upbeat music when working in your office. nno Get someone else to do it
You are not an expert at everything. Your time is best spent helping your clients or getting new clients. You are doing yourself and your business a disservice by doing everything yourself. Instead get some more help. Someone who types faster than you is a better choice to do your data entry.
Consider getting more help in both your professional and personal life. Someone who likes to clean and is faster would be a better choice for housework. Consider someone to run your errands, mow the lawn and send out the PTA mailing.

Whatever challenges, deadlines and to dos you face during your work life, these ideas will help you get into action and get things done. Go ahead, do it now.