How APE Defeats Procrastination

By on October 8, 2006 in Blog Coach with 8 Comments

Dumbledorepensieve_1 I had the privilege of a one-on-one with a local business genius the other day. He’s an innovator. Always thinking ahead. In tune with what’s missing in the business community. And a friend.

We gathered so he could present his ideas for a new company web site. Neither of us are web developers, per se, but I was hoping to get a sense of what he saw in his mind so I might recommend someone.

Part of the reason for my visit – at least in my mind – was so he could practice talking about his ideas. With this, he could deliver a more clear picture when talking to the web team we find.

The great thing was – that was part of his reason, too. The practice. I’m not guessing. He said it out loud.

I know you’re probably thinking – "So what’s this have to do with business blogging?", right?

Articulate Your Ideas
There’s a saying: "We don’t know what we know until we articulate it."  Sometimes it’s saying it out loud, sometimes it’s writing it down. With a blog, you’re doing both simultaneously. Picture Prof. Dumbledore and his pensieve – and do likewise.

Practice Your Presentation
You do this already. Ask your closest friends, roomies or spouse. With the many times my wife hears me "practice" saying certain things….I’m surprised she still listens (Cindy? Are you there?)

Eliminate Inertia
A person in motion will accomplish more than a stationary person. Be careful of stagnant motion, though ("That’s the way we’ve always done it"). Sometimes, that mask called "busy work" might be procrastination in disguise.

Articulate Your Ideas + Practice Your Presentation + Eliminate Inertia = Defeat Procrastination.

UPDATE: I like Glenn Ross’ comment on this post so much I want to mention it at top level. Two reasons:

  1. I like his edit of the "E" and especially like the additional "S"
  2. This post wasn’t perfect going up (Hint: few are). Glenn makes it better. Everyone wins.

Thanks Glenn. You know how to deliver a great experience.

Caricature sketch by the talented Court Jones

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  • http://www.allbusiness.com/blog/CustomerServiceExperience/10783 Glenn (Customer Service Experience) Ross

    Well, if this blog was a wiki, I’d edit the “E” to be “Execute Your Plan.” Then, because I’m a big believer in self-evaluation, I’d add an “S” to keep the “APE” theme intact and call it “Study your results.”
    But either way works.
    Regards,
    Glenn

  • http://www.converstations.com Mike Sansone

    Glenn – Great additions here. This is one time I wish this was a wiki. See my update topside. Thanks

  • Phil Gerbyshak

    This is really an awesome method to bust the rut. And the additions are even more amazing. Thanks for sharing them. I’ll be referring back to that for a LONG time.

  • http://www.office-futures.com Roger Whitehead

    > A person in motion will accomplish more than a stationary person.
    Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi and, in his later life, F.D Roosevelt got plenty done through stasis. Stephen Hawking shows what’s possible today.
    Perhaps a “usually” or similar should appear in that assertion.
    Roger

  • http://www.converstations.com Mike Sansone

    Phil – Thanks. Make it a Great APE:-)
    —-
    Roger – I hear ya. I was thinking more energetic rather than kinetic. The great examples you share show there should be little reason for limitations. Yep – I probably should add a ‘usually’ or ‘in most cases’ there. Thanks for a great addition.

  • http://www.allbusiness.com/blog/CustomerServiceExperience/10783 Glenn (Customer Service Experience) Ross

    Thanks for the kind words, Mike. I know the feeling, I’m rarely satisfied with my blog posts, but at some point you have to throw the spaghetti on the ceiling and see what sticks.-)

  • http://www.brainbasedbusiness.com/2006/10/why_do_people_procrastinate_an.html BrainBasedBusiness

    Why Do People Procrastinate Anyway?

    Over at the blog What Would Dad Say… GL wrote tongue in cheek … Procrastinators Unite…Rally Up Tomorrow, Next Week, WheneverAccording to GL…Nothing can get you behind more than putting off those things you know need …

  • http://www.extension.washington.edu/ext/certificates/ipo/ipo_gen.asp Chroferus

    There are more ways to the wood than one. Chroferus.

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