Talane’s Blog of the Week, August 13, 2007

A Classic Tip from Talane . . .
Do It Now!
Excerpted from bestselling book Coach Yourself to Success by Talane Miedaner

Responding immediately is attractive because it is very rare even though it seems so obvious. It is so rare because most people procrastinate. In fact, you may need to upgrade systems, streamline, and change your whole manner of responding to people in order to provide an immediate response.

How can you respond immediately? My mantra is "Do it now." When I catch myself holding a piece of paper and thinking, "I'll look at this later." I say, "No, do it now." Otherwise I waste a lot of time shuffling paper around.

Where are you delaying? It is costing you unnecessary time and energy. Anything you don't do now is something you will just have to do later. If you wait, the knowledge that you have to do it will be taking up valuable mental space and burden you with the weight of trying to remember to do it later. If you really can't do it now, put it in a pending file and log the time and date that you will do it on your calendar. What changes do you need to make to restructure your life so that you can respond immediately? Post a sign over your desk that says, "DO IT NOW!"