Here’s What You Need to Know.

Step 1: Define Your Goal

The first step to getting ahead of procrastination is figuring out what you want to accomplish. Maybe it’s time to update your personal brand online. Or your sales team needs training on a more effective sales model. Take a look at the tasks you’ve been putting off and trace them back to the bigger picture. What is procrastination costing you?

Step 2: Identify Key Activities to Reach Your Goal

Next, determine what activities must be completed to accomplish the goal. For example, if you want to increase your referral business, what would that look like in terms of sales activities? How many in-person and online touchpoints would you need to make per quarter to see a difference in your results?

Step 3: Take Action

Break down larger to-do-list items into smaller, more manageable tasks and then get to it. If you find yourself having trouble gaining traction, reach out to your manager or a trusted colleague to help you stay accountable to yourself and your goals.

For additional details, read Dorie Clark’s recent Harvard Business Review article, “5 Ways to Move Forward on that Task You’ve Been Avoiding.”

Pat Sherlock is the founder of QFS Sales Solutions, an organization that helps organizations improve their sales talent management and performance. For more information, visit https://patsherlock.com.