Overcoming Procrastination in your Pet Business

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Do you regularly find yourself putting off tasks that will help to grow your pet business? Do you focus on small daily tasks that give you instant gratification rather than larger tasks that will ensure you future success? Don’t fear, you are not alone - most people experience problems with procrastination at one time or another.

When you own your own pet business it is important that you make steady progress to constantly improve your business systems, market your product or services, find, manage and retain great staff, and keep on top of day to day jobs like book keeping, paying bill, taxes, and completing payroll.

During a business trip last week to Orlando I read an article on procrastination in the American Airlines onboard magazine. According to the article there are 2 different types of procrastinators. The first group are people who avoid important tasks due to fear of failure and the other group is those that thrive on the thrill of waiting until the last moment when the pressure is on to get a task completed. Sometimes I think I have a bit of both of these traits.

No matter which type of procrastinator you are here are some tips that I use that will keep you on track and steadily moving towards your business goals:

1) Make a list of important tasks and prioritize the list placing the items which will make the most impact to your business at the top of the list

2) Map out a series of short term deadlines for yourself for each task

3) Do one thing on your list NOW. Choose a task that will take you 5-10 minutes to complete and get it done. Sometimes one step in the right direction is all you need to get you started.

4) Reward yourself for getting tasks completed on time. If its a manicure, a movie, or a night out with friends that you want to spoil yourself with go ahead and reward yourself for completing tasks on or before your deadlines.

5) Focus on one task at a time and work until you have that task completed. Studies have shown that multi-tasking actually wastes time!

2) Get a personal business coach to keep you accountable! This is a big one for me. I have a success coach that I talk to via phone three times each month. She helps me work through ideas for my business and focus on goals and deadlines. I know that she will hold me accountable for keeping my commitments and I often find myself finishing up tasks the night before our calls so that I don’t have to tell her I didn’t get things done. A coach is a great motivational tool and will make sure you are working on the tasks that will most effectively grow your business. There are many different types of coaches available including general life coaches, business coaches, and coaches that specialize in helping pet business owners.

Take some time to think about the tasks you have been putting off in your pet business. What impact is not getting these tasks done having on your business and your mental happiness? Do they nag at you and steal time away from other tasks or pleasures?

Set out a plan today to get the important tasks done and give yourself some deadlines.

I know lately it seems as if I have been procrastinating about blogging here at Working with Pets! I promise I will finish my series on hiring staff this week for you. Check back later this week for articles on screening applicants, interviewing applicants, background checks, contracts, and staff monitoring.

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