In this episode of Billable-Hour Burnout, we dive into the difficulty of dealing with procrastination, a challenge faced by many in high-demand professions like accounting, law, and consulting. One of my clients came to me because Procrastination was showing up as the cause of her burnout. Today I'm walking you through a protocol we co-created to overcome procrastination and improve your work-life balance.
Understanding Procrastination
When my client first came to me, she was experiencing significant procrastination was leading her to burnout. By working together, we developed a strategy to overcome procrastination and improve her work-life balance.
Our time together started with building an awareness in the habits that created procrastination and the cost of it. (i.e., time lost, receivables not collected, etc.) She noticed tendencies to procrastination happened while she was at her clients' office.
Her client/employees liked catching up with her.
Someone would give her "a quick task" as she was packing up for the day.
She was working on a "too flexible" schedule ("I'll swing by sometime on Wednesday...")
What she initiually realized is that the way she was doing business is the way she *thought* she had to do business, and procrastination was the result.
Furthermore, she started her bookkeeping business because she wanted a "flexible" life. Therefore, she avoided any idea of "structure".
But as we peeled back the onion, we started to notice the lack of the lack of structure was having a cost far greater:
Work was spilling into the evenings.
Structure-less days meant no free time for herself.
She enjoyed very little quality time with her husband.
She was constantly feeling stressed.
When she first came to our coaching session, she thought of structure as putting herself in a cage. After our session, she realized structure was the guardrails that kept her on track. She was keeping her power by procrastinating, but at the cost of her future nights and weekends.
HER REALIZATION: Current Self was sabotaging Future Self.
Overcoming Procrastination: A Process for at Work
Through coaching, we identified her procrastination patterns and created a structured plan.
Identified Tasks: Determined what needed to be accomplished at her client site.
Time Allocation: Decided on the amount of time required for each task.
Buffered Time: Allocated extra time for relationship building with clients.
Proactive Communication: Informed clients about her availability for additional tasks.
Accountability: Held herself accountable to complete tasks within the designated time.
Avoided Distractions: Minimized interruptions and focused on the task at hand.
By implementing this plan, she reduced her weekend work, decreased stress, and enjoyed more quality time with her loved ones. If you're facing similar issues, a burnout coach may help you get out of the early stages of burnout.
Applying the Procrastination Plan at Home
Many of my clients work hybrid or 100% remotely. Therefore, procrastination can also affect your how you show up at home. We took the work strategy and considered how to apply the same strategy at home:
Weekly Planning: Outline tasks for the week.
Time Management: Allocate realistic timeframes for each task.
Buffer Time: Include breaks and personal time.
Proactive Communication: Check for any additional tasks or updates before starting work.
Accountability: Stick to your planned schedule.
Avoid Distractions: Minimize interruptions and stay focused.
Evaluate your plan regularly, tweak it as needed, and repeat the process to hone it in.
The Importance of Structure
Structure isn't about rigidity; it's about creating freedom. Think of structure as guardrails on a cliff or bumpers in a bowling alley. It protects you and creates a sense of security. Less procrastination means more time for what matters most to you.
Recognizing Procrastinating Symptoms
It's essential to recognize procrastinating symptoms early to address them effectively. Common symptoms include:
Delaying Important Tasks: Putting off crucial work until the last minute.
Distraction: Frequently turning to unimportant activities instead of focusing on the task at hand.
Stress and Anxiety: Feeling overwhelmed by the backlog of tasks.
Decreased Productivity: Struggling to maintain consistent work output.
By identifying these procrastinating symptoms, you can take proactive steps to address the root causes and implement effective strategies to overcome procrastination. Additionally, you may want to explore Ayurveda as a holistic approach to stress relief and balance.
Bonus Tips
Write It Down: Keep a list of non-work-related tasks to avoid mental distractions.
Evaluate and Adjust: Regularly assess and tweak your plan.
For a deeper understanding of why our brains trigger procrastination, check out this insightful TED-Ed video.
Results When You Un-procrastinate on Procrastination
In one coaching session, we created a process to manage Procrastination. As a result of that one-hour together, she:
Found herself working less on the weekends
Noticed a decrease in stress because tasks were no longer piling up
Started enjoying structure, because it created time freedom
Less time procrastinating meant more availability for friends and family
She’s now billing her clients more regularly, which means a more steady inflow of cash.
She’s getting more time back!
There's a ripple effect when we prioritize our needs and focus on our well-being. It benefits everyone for the ultimate win win!
Don't Procrastinate - Take Action Now!
Procrastination only prolongs pain and stress. To effectively combat procrastination, it's crucial to have a clear, actionable process in place. This involves identifying tasks, managing your time, and maintaining focus. Take action now to overcome it.
Subscribe to my email newsletter, designed specifically for women in accounting, law, and consulting. If procrastination is holding you back from from having nights and weekends to rest, this is your go-to resource. Stay updated with the latest strategies to overcome procrastination and build a balanced, fulfilling career.
What You'll Learn from this Episode:
What is Procrastination?
Effective Procrastination Plan
Application of Procrastination Strategies at Home
The Importance of Structure
Interesting Procrastination Quotes
Detailed Steps to Follow Procrastination Plan
How to Evaluate and Adjust Your Plan
Watch the Full Episode:
Full Episode Transcript:
Hi everybody, we are live. I'm happy to be here and finally get the tech stuff working. Sometimes tech just does tech, and I'm doing my best to keep up. Thanks for hanging with me. We are live on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn, and these are also available for replay. If you want to listen while going for a walk, you can always reach out.
Today, we are talking about procrastination, and I want to make sure that today is something you don't put off. There are many reasons why we procrastinate in accounting, law, and consulting, and you don't want to procrastinate on today's episode. One of my clients experienced major procrastination and saw the cost it was having on her. Long story short, she was burning out.
Hi, welcome to Billable-Hour Burnout. If you're looking for helpful tactical advice that helps you move toward the career of your dreams, you are in the right place. If you want to enjoy your life without stress or overwhelm, you are in the right place. You're here because you are looking for more work-life balance, more ease, more confidence, and you're ready to make it happen without quitting your job or changing your life. My name is Lauren Baptiste, your Big Four auditor turned regulatory tax consultant turned life coach, and this is Billable Hour Burnout. On these shows, I share simple tactics, tricks, tools, and mindset shifts catered to the modern accountant, consultant, and attorney.
Today, I want to dive in with a client success story. This comes from my client Krithika, a senior program officer. She came to me because her career wasn't where she wanted it to be, and it was affecting her performance ratings. She used to be a high performer, but something had to change. So she came to me for help.
In our work together, she said it was the first time she had worked with a coach. It was different than venting to co-workers, friends, or talking to a therapist. She felt it was helpful to have a coach who mapped out what she wanted and understood her context, holding her accountable to the goals we outlined. It has been helpful to have a professional coach like me in her life. Thank you, Kritika. It's been an honor working with you.
I'm always happy for my clients. I love hearing their success stories months after they graduate. I've had clients who, even after the first day, say they're happy they are in the right place. Sharing these stories is fun because it shows we can go from not feeling good to feeling better. I show you how to do that.
Personally, I wanted to share that I'm finding a new cleaner for my house. Old me would have done it myself to save money, but I now realize the value of delegating tasks to have more time for myself. Delegating gives me more time for clients, writing blog posts, and bringing on extra clients. I'm excited about this change.
Speaking on procrastination, I want to start with quotes:
"Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday."
"You may delay, but time will not." - Benjamin Franklin
"Procrastination is like a credit card. It's a lot of fun until you get the bill." - Christopher Parker
My client came to me because procrastination was turning into burnout. We built awareness of her habits and their costs. She was procrastinating on sending invoices, leading to irregular payments and stress at home. We realized current self was sabotaging future self.
We created a process for procrastination:
Identify what needs to be accomplished.
Decide on the time needed for tasks.
Buffer time for relationship building.
Proactively ask clients if they need anything outside of the planned tasks.
Hold yourself accountable for the planned time.
Avoid distractions and stay focused.
At home, apply the same strategy:
Plan tasks for the week.
Allocate realistic timeframes.
Include breaks and personal time.
Check for updates before starting work.
Stick to the planned schedule.
Minimize interruptions.
Evaluate and adjust the plan regularly. Structure creates freedom, not rigidity. Less procrastination means more time for what matters most to you.
Procrastination prolongs pain and stress. Take action now to overcome it. Book a 60-minute consultation with me to understand the root cause of your procrastination and develop a step-by-step plan to tackle it.
Thank you for joining today's episode on overcoming procrastination. If you liked what you heard, drop a comment and let me know. You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, or visit my website at alohawellness.com to learn more about my one-on-one coaching program, Freedom.