Don't Let Procrastination Slow Your Job Search

By MARTY NEMKO

A few years ago, I made a list of all my unsuccessful clients and the main reason each of them failed. The most common reason: a tendency to procrastinate. So many of these clients knew what they should do but just couldn’t make themselves do it.

That made me decide to learn everything I could about how to cure procrastination. Since then, I’ve tried lots of strategies with my clients, and now I have developed a pretty powerful collection. Here are the tips and tricks that have worked best with the most people.

Cures for What Ails Ya

Sometimes procrastinators can be helped simply by realizing that their excuses for procrastination are bogus.

The Hedonist's excuse: "Job searching is painful. I always find something I'd rather do."

The cure: Remember that you'll have more fun if you don't procrastinate. Procrastination is like a credit card -- fun when you use it, painful when the bill comes in. When you procrastinate, you suffer in many ways. You suffer ongoing guilt; even when you're watching your favorite TV show, a little voice is whispering in your ear, "You should be working. If you truly like pleasure more than pain, get your work done without delay so maximum time is left for pleasure, without guilt or negative consequences to spoil the fun.

The Fear-of-Failure excuse: "I don't want to risk failing."

The cure: Recognize that not trying usually means greater failure. If you don't try, you're a guaranteed failure. If you give it a shot, there is at least some chance you'll succeed, and at minimum, you will have learned from your failure. Also, you'll gain self-respect and that of others. People who try and fail are respected more than people who don't.

Ask yourself, "What's the worst that could happen?" For example, you call a prospective employer and he laughs, "I wouldn't hire you for all the tea in China." That's no biggie, especially if you have a Plan B, for example, someone else to call.

The Fear-of-Imposing excuse: "I don't want to contact him because I don't want to impose."

Cures:

• Recognize that you may not be imposing. If, for example, you're calling for a job, and the employer happens to need an employee like you, you will have done him or her a favor. If not, you will have wasted ten seconds of the employer’s time. Big deal.
• Even if you are imposing, recognize that it's okay to ask for help as long as you'll remember to be kind to someone who asks you for help. This is the karma concept.
• Think of your contact as you would a how-to book. If he turns out not to be helpful, simply go on to the next one.

The Gotta-Do-This-First excuse: "I really can't get started until I clean my desk" (or get my divorce finalized, quit my job, etc.)

The cure: Realize that these are delaying tactics. Yes, they are also legitimate problems, but millions of people have completed major projects despite piled-high desks, while holding full-time jobs, and yes, while in the throes of a divorce. Often, a major project actually provides rays of hope and distraction from the stresses of a breakup. Too often, a person will never start a project if he waits until all the stars are aligned.

And if That Doesn’t Work

If you’re still procrastinating, try these all-purpose cures.

Be aware of the moment of truth. When feeling the temptation to procrastinate, there is a moment of truth when you're still not over the edge, like when you're starting to lose your temper. At that moment, you can still suppress the desire to procrastinate. When you feel that temptation arise, ask yourself "What's my next one-second task?" You might also remind yourself of the benefits you'll get by staying with the task.

When you're stuck, don't stew, get help. If you don’t know what to write, say, or do next, think about it for literally one minute. If that doesn't yield at least some progress, the odds are small that you'll be able to solve your problem in a reasonable amount of time. That, of course, will frustrate you and make you more likely to procrastinate on the whole project. So, if you're still stuck after a minute, put the problem aside, go on, and come back to it later. Sometimes, a fresh look can help. Or get help from someone in your office or by phone.

Don't think about how much work you have ahead of you. That can overwhelm you into procrastination. Instead, think like a mountain climber. Just put one foot in front of the other, and when you get to the top and look down, you'll be amazed at how far you've gotten.

Just do it. Do it now, even if you don't feel like it. If you only work on your project when you feel like it, you won't feel like it often enough. Fight through the discomfort and just do it. Think how good it will feel to have put in a good hour. Think of the benefits you'll derive. Realize that if you keep procrastinating, you're a loser, yes a loser. Then literally force yourself to start working.

The Scarlet P. Write the letter "P" (for procrastinator) on the outside of your hand so everyone can see it. That P, which follows you everywhere you go, is an ongoing reminder that curing your procrastination, your career cancer, is Job One. The P is also embarrassing so it may motivate you to overcome the problem so you can honorably remove it.

Draw a thermometer and tape it to your desk. Instead of numbers on the side, write the little steps you need to do to get the task done. Every time you complete a step, color in that part of the thermometer. That technique helps churches raise lots of money.

Find someone to check in with. Many procrastinators find that it helps to have someone to check in with. Regular check-in is a key to the success of Weight Watchers and 12-step programs. Find someone you can phone every day. I have my procrastinating clients e-mail me daily to report their progress.

-- Mr. Nemko offers career coaching by phone. You can reach him at 510-655-2777. His column, "Work Bites," appears each Sunday in the employment section of the Los Angeles Times. His new book is Cool Careers for Dummies.