Bridges Edition of 3/6/2007

Welcome to Bridges, a monthly newsletter published by Robin Fogel, Executive and Career Coach & Consultant. My goal is that these newsletters include practical information that you can use in your work and in your life. If you found the newsletter helpful, please forward it to your colleagues, friends and family.

If you would like to take advantage of a business consultant or executive coach, please email me at robin@coachrobinfogel.com for a complimentary coaching session or visit my website - www.coachrobinfogel.com

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Happy March. Spring is almost here and with it those longer hours of daylight. Those of us who garden in the northeast corner of the US can see the first signs of spring - blooming snowdrops, forsythia in bud.

PROCRASTINATION
The sign on my desk reads, "What do I most want to avoid doing today?" It's my visual reminder that I may be procrastinating, that there may something that needs action and for some reason I'm avoiding doing it. For example, today I was avoiding writing this newsletter!

In the years I have been producing this newsletter no single topic has generated as many emails as writing about procrastination. For many, it is the fear factor that leads to procrastination - fear of failure (they will see how little I know about this topic), fear of success (how will I have time for my family if I get this promotion). If fear is a driver, then admit it; naming what is stopping you is the first step to moving forward and breaking the procrastination. Next, break the task into small pieces, start with one of those small steps. One consultant suggests diving in and doing the task for five minutes since anything is doable for such a short time period. At the end of five minutes decide it you want to devote more time to the project. And, if you repeatedly put off something, take a minute and evaluate if it needs to be done at all. Finally, if all else fails and you are still avoiding doing something, consider delegating the task to someone who might enjoy it.

So why don't these suggestions work for everyone? I read recently that many of these ideas are most helpful for the left brain, organized person and less effective for the creative, right brain type. In "Organizing from the Right Side of the Brain: A Creative Approach to Getting Organized", author Lee Silber writes that fear of being judged paralyzes creative right-brain folks because they are not as organized or as focused on time. He suggests that rather than worry about the outcome, creative types need to just jump in and get lost in the process. It is there that the creative type finds their motivation without worrying about time or lists.

By the way, last week I heard on the radio that the second week in March is "National Procrastinators Week", something I didn't know in January when I planned the year's columns, so I hope this article is timely. And, if you want more information, send me an email and I'll send you my 10 Tips to Avoid Procrastinating.

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GOOD READ
I have been enjoying the articles in a new magazine called MOTTO. The magazine says they are a media company that "believes it's impossible to have a meaningful life without meaningful work. So, we created the first media company for people seeking a more personally fulfilling and socially responsible route to business success".

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UPCOMING EVENTS
If you are a member of APIW (Association of Professional Insurance Women) I hope you'll consider attending their New York City member only event on March 28th. I'll be speaking on the Art of the Introduction. If your company or professional organization is looking for a speaker I hope you will check out my website for a description of the programs I offer. http://www.coachrobinfogel.com/programs.html

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And now a word from our sponsor. For those who ask what is it that you do, my business has evolved and I have been offering coaching and business consulting in the following areas:

- Career Coaching for career advancement, change or transition;
- Business Consulting & Executive Coaching - working as an independent sounding board providing advice on staffing issues, developing emerging talent and helping managers sharpen their communication and management skills;
- Not for Profit Consulting - providing Executive Directors with independent sounding board, consulting on staff issues, board relations and staff development.

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FINAL THOUGHT
Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism. Confronting your fears and allowing yourself the right to be human can, paradoxically, make you a far happier and more productive person. - Dr. David M. Burns

COPYRIGHT: 2007, Robin Fogel & Assoc., LLC. All Rights Reserved. May be distributed and reprinted in its entirety with copyright, subscription instructions, and contact information intact. However, you may not copy it to a website.