Overcome Procrastination by Overcoming Perfectionism

December 5, 2011 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

Strive to get better – not perfect.

Perfection is an impossible goal.

Attempting to be perfect – in effect – trying to “do it all” is not only a barrier to actually getting things done, in many ways, it’s an excuse we use to avoid doing them.

After all, if you get up in the morning and are so overwhelmed with everything you have to accomplish, isn’t your first thought to pull the blankets back over your head and “wait until tomorrow?”

Beyond that, if we KNOW that our definition of success is to “get it all done” and we KNOW that objective is impossible, why would we even begin to move forward? The result of our “failure” is that we’ll get to feel bad in the end. Therefore, since we’re going to feel bad anyway, we might as well not go through the effort in the first place.

Set your goal to “do more,” not “do it all.” Find small measures of success and continue forward.

Forget perfectionism; it’s actually hurting you.

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Video: Fear Inhibits Us but Facing Death Propels us

December 1, 2011 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

A fascinating – brief – clip that points out how fear inhibits us, but when people or organizations face death, it makes them (or us) more productive. This is Michael Lazerow, CEO, of Buddy Media

Facing Death: The Ultimate Impetus to Innovate and Excel? from L2 on FORA.tv

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Staying Focused: Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

November 28, 2011 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

Keep the main thing the main thing.

Sometimes, it’s hard to stay focused. We have so much to do, so many things to accomplish. That’s especially true during the holidays. By trying to do too much, or by looking down the road to far, we become overwhelmed. We stress out. We freeze up. We make the problem worse.

If you’re feeling like your treading water or juggling too many assignments, the problem is most likely that you’re trying to do too much; rather than not enough. Slow yourself down. Ask yourself, “What ONE thing will I do RIGHT NOW that I will complete?” Then, complete it BEFORE you move on to anything else.

Then, enjoy the sense of success that comes with accomplishment.

That too will keep you moving forward.

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Running to Stay Still: Way Too Much to do

September 21, 2011 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

I don’t read much.

Well, that’s not accurate. I read the program guide that slides across the television screen. I scan the mail in order to shred the 6,382 credit card offers. I follow microwave instructions on boxes. And, when I eat too much, I read myself the riot act.

However, I’m too overloaded to read “just ‘cause.” (I did purchase a tome on how to organize myself; I just can’t find the time to read it.)

So, please note with awe that I finished a book! (Insert triumphant angelic choir please.) Alas, the book is not a “fun book” transporting me to far away planets in future times, or dropping me deep into the exciting, glib dialogue of Spenser, my favorite PI. Unexcitingly enough, it is yet another guidebook on how to enhance one’s career.

One would think that at my age, my livelihood would be solid as the castle keep. One would lose one’s shirt should one wager on that. The average person will have four careers in his lifetime. Should you have only one, feel no pressure; I am the teeter to your totter. I have had enough vocations for you, your family, and several neighbors. Says my therapist; “You’re creative and intelligent, so you get easily bored and constantly attempt new ventures.” Sure, why not? It’s more appealing than saying I cannot focus.

Hmm, where was I? Oh yes… book on sales. Sorry, lost focus…

Imparting desperately needed wisdom to “serial entrepreneurs,” the author asserted,

“A successful work day starts the night before.” Stated alternatively, “If you wish to thrive, start today’s work yesterday.”

Work therefore bleeds from day to day, lacking ending or beginning, void of all boundaries. Work is all, everything, constant, consuming. It is a throwback to “arbeit macht frei,” placed at the entrance to concentration camps.

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Getting More Done

September 19, 2011 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

The only way in which we are all identical is that we each get 24 hours a day.

Some people just use it better – but no one gets any more time.

Those of us who are more successful simply better utilize our time.

One way in which we do that is to realize that even if we can’t carve out enough time from a hectic schedule to get everything done, we can squeeze in a few moments here and there.

For example, if you’re trying to be more fit, start holding in your stomach right now. Keep it that way while you search the web or read your emails. It takes no more time but helps you accomplish much more.

In other words, it’s better to get up and walk a block today, than to swear you’re going to run a mile tomorrow and sleep in. Remember, “Small steps done regularly generate more results than large steps done intermittently.”

What can you do RIGHT NOW to feel more successful? (Go do it.)

Note: Every Monday, a new motivational memo is posted. Subscribers to ThisTimeIMeanIt.com’s coaching service get this – and many more benefits – sent to them directly. If you’d like to know more, follow this link.

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