The art of procrastination

The art of procrastination

I'm sure we've all worked with people who have turned procrastination into an art form.

I worked in one organisation where one person would spend the first part of every morning walking around the 3 floors saying good morning to everyone. Now I'm not saying that person didn't work hard when they were at their desk, just that every morning I would see the person walking round hoping everyone would have a great day. I worked with about a hundred people in those days.

And then there was a gentleman who managed to explain why he couldn't attend any meetings because (insert excuse) - I actually don't know when this person actually did any work. But I do know he had learned the art of procrastination.

If you ever use the phrases:

• I'll do it next - and then don't
• I'll do it in 5 - and several days and prompts later you do get around to it
• I'll get right on it - fibber
• Bear with me - why?
• Oh it was because of so and so - laying the blame on some outside reason. Not a good idea. If there is a genuine delay, why not tell the client up front. Saves all sorts of embarasing - err moments.

Then I would say that you too are learning the art of procrastination, and it may be time to decide what it is you want to get out of life. Are you happy stopping other people doing their work because you couldn't schedule the task into your day (hint - customer service people especially in IT centres) then give a proper estimate of when you will be able to get to the job. WE do know what it's like to be busy and productive, so stop trying to make out your job is more important than ours. Oh and by the way, most of us aren't blond and will only call when we have a genuine can't do it ourselves reason.

Does this sound like a whinge? Well, yes and no. Just a reminder that we are all guilty of sometimes doing less than we should, and then pretending to be busier than we are. Another hint - everyone can tell.

With many thoughts

Elle