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Overcoming Procrastination
Here are three ways to get in the habit of getting it done.
By Karen Leland and Keith Bailey
You know what you need to do. You know why you need to do it. You even know what steps you must take to get it done. But there's one small problem: you can't seem to get moving. It's a common problem. Maybe it's chronic procrastination or you're overwhelmed into paralysis. Either way, your task is just sitting there, gathering metaphorical (or literal) dust, and growing more ominous by the day.
Good news! You can motivate yourself by developing three habits:
Solitary Frustration
By Genevieve Bos, cofounder, PINK magazine
Q: A coworker of mine is constantly playing solitaire while I am working my butt off. I don't want to get her in trouble, but it makes me really mad that she's playing while I'm working! How should I handle it?
Corporate Ridiculousness
By Genevieve Bos
Q: I oversee about 30 employees in a financial office that does not work a typical 9 to 5 day, so if someone needs to take a few hours for a doctor's appointment or to deal with something at home, I don't mark it down. We are part of a much larger company that says they now want me to make sure each employee gets docked time when away from their desks. I don't think this is fair. Any advice?Taking Credit
by Genevieve Bos
Q: My direct boss constantly takes credit for my ideas without giving me any props. Is it okay to bring some of my ideas to her superior instead so that I can actually get some recognition?Losers Need Not Apply
By Genevieve Bos
Q: I am 25 and I am working at a job that I absolutely love. Unfortunately, the staff is very cliqueish and it seems I am not welcome in their club. I feel like I am back in high school and to make it worse, I am the loser with all of the pimples. How can I change things around?
Promotion but No Respect
Q: I've been with my company for six years and am now at a significantly higher spot than when I started. The problem is all of my superiors still treat me like that just-out-of-college girl rather than giving me the respect I deserve. My friends all say I need to leave because they'll always look at me this way--no matter how many times I am promoted--but I don't want to leave! What should I do?
Q&A Assistant = Gopher?
I'm an assistant to a very high-level executive who
constantly has me running her personal errands. Gopher work was definitely not
part of the job description when I was hired. I've been sucking it up for eight
months but am finally hitting a wall. How do I tell her I love my job but can't
stand buying birthday presents for her mother?Q&A Cleavage Crisis!
I work in a really casual office and have a young co-worker who always shows a lot of cleavage. Everyone in the office talks about her behind her back and I feel bad. I would like to tell her to button-it-up a bit but I don't want to step over any lines. Should I just keep my mouth shut?
The fact is that there is a "cleavage crisis" in corporate America today! The generations are clashing about what's appropriate. Frankly, it's surprising that no one in management has said anything to her already- unless she is a waitress at Hooters. If you care about her and want to help, you could start the opener with, "If I see something that may hold you back in your career, would you like to know?" If she says "yes", then share with her, gently, that she may be getting a lot of attention for the wrong reasons. But the fact of the matter is-most women who do this know exactly the type of attention they are getting-they just don't realize how badly it can hurt their reputation. With that said, if you are in fashion, a lot of skin is appropriate, if you are in banking, think the opposite.