The first step in a successful selling process is preparation and there is no doubt that planning and preparation are important but excessive planning and preparation goes by another name: procrastination! In some cases, we can use over planning and preparation to avoid taking action. Procrastination and its underlying causes are the biggest obstacles we face in turning our vision into reality.
Positive and Negative
We are all guilty of procrastination in some form or another. Procrastination comes in two varieties – positive and negative. Positive procrastination is actually a good thing – it is when you take some time to gather your thoughts, think things through and let your thoughts percolate on what action you need to take. Negative procrastination is when we create excuses to avoid doing something. The worst part about this is it will usually affect our results in a negative way.
Perfection
Procrastination is one of those bad habits that can be controlled. First, figure out the reasons why you’re procrastinating in the first place, then make a commitment towards activity. Activity creates production which is the opposite of procrastination. Sometimes, the quest for perfection gets in the way of production and really just becomes an excuse for more procrastination. How many times have you fell into the trap of trying to make something perfect before you can declare your task or project ready to go? Don’t strive for perfection! Instead of waiting for every aspect of a project to come into perfect alignment, bring the project to a satisfactory point and then manage and adjust accordingly.
I remember reading a story about Steve Jobs and how he managed the launch of the Macintosh computer. He mercilessly challenged his engineers to reach for perfection in every aspect of the product's design yet he knew at some point, they would have to stop, put the product into production and ship the computer. If he didn’t draw that line in the sand, it would have amounted to relentless pursuit of perfection…or simply procrastination.
Positive and Negative
We are all guilty of procrastination in some form or another. Procrastination comes in two varieties – positive and negative. Positive procrastination is actually a good thing – it is when you take some time to gather your thoughts, think things through and let your thoughts percolate on what action you need to take. Negative procrastination is when we create excuses to avoid doing something. The worst part about this is it will usually affect our results in a negative way.
Perfection
Procrastination is one of those bad habits that can be controlled. First, figure out the reasons why you’re procrastinating in the first place, then make a commitment towards activity. Activity creates production which is the opposite of procrastination. Sometimes, the quest for perfection gets in the way of production and really just becomes an excuse for more procrastination. How many times have you fell into the trap of trying to make something perfect before you can declare your task or project ready to go? Don’t strive for perfection! Instead of waiting for every aspect of a project to come into perfect alignment, bring the project to a satisfactory point and then manage and adjust accordingly.
I remember reading a story about Steve Jobs and how he managed the launch of the Macintosh computer. He mercilessly challenged his engineers to reach for perfection in every aspect of the product's design yet he knew at some point, they would have to stop, put the product into production and ship the computer. If he didn’t draw that line in the sand, it would have amounted to relentless pursuit of perfection…or simply procrastination.
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