6 minute read
4 WAYS TO WIN
4 Ways to Win the Battle Against Procrastination
One of the most common professional afflictions is procrastination. The funny thing is, everyone knows that procrastination is negative—it’s a waste of time, a creator of stress, and is entirely a problem of our own making. Still, knowing all of this doesn’t necessarily decrease our odds of procrastination. There are plenty of explanations we give when putting work off until the last minute. Perhaps you convince yourself that you work best under pressure, but it’s truer that you’re used to working under pressure by necessity. Maybe you’re a perfectionist and the fear of getting it all wrong puts you off from the task. Whatever the justification may be, overcoming procrastination requires some willpower and technique. With
that in mind, take a look at a few tricks below to jumpstart your motivation and nix the lastminute time crunch. After all, you owe it to yourself and your business to operate like a procrastination-free professional. list can inspire you to continue on to the next item in the spirit of productivity.
3. Work in Windows
1. Make Your Intentions Known
As realtors and mortgage professionals, you may serve as your own boss. So, when the time comes to complete a task and you put it off—perhaps you’re only disappointing yourself. This is easily remedied by making a new promise to try again tomorrow. On the other hand, it’s much harder to break promises and commitments to others. Try verbalizing your intent and commitment to your team, or to an assistant who can hold you accountable, or better yet—to a business partner or to a client. Make a hard deadline public and you’re likely to perform for fear of embarrassment or losing face. In a way, this puts the pressure of expectation on you, instead of the pressure of the ticking clock.
2. Take a Baby Step
When tasks pile up, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. If you’ve got a number of items on your to-do list, including some heavy hitters that require a lot of attention and time, begin by taking on something simple. Identify an easily completed job that needs attention and put it first in your queue. Duties that are straightforward and aren’t time-intensive can lead you to the rest of your to-do list, fueling you with the satisfaction of a task already complete. Even if it’s as small as returning e-mails, or dropping off your dry-cleaning, one simple thing off your If work is the last thing you want to do and you can’t seem to self-motivate, make a compromise with yourself. Agree to work just fifteen minutes, and mean it. This tiny window of time is easy enough to complete, isn’t overwhelming, and you’ve already agreed to move on once time is up. The truth? Odds are that just fifteen minutes of active work will inspire you to keep going. After all, the most difficult part of procrastination is getting started. By putting in those fifteen minutes, you’ll trick yourself into diving into the action.
4. Switch Up Your Environment
If you’re stuck in rut when it comes to procrastination and productivity, try changing your surroundings. If the office feels stale and stressful, take your work to the nearest coffee shop and try to tackle your tasks there. Perhaps the quiet, studious ambiance of a library can make you focus, or a picnic table outside the office can stimulate the senses. Sometimes changing your scenery can breathe new life into your routine and give you the extra push you need to get work done.
There’s no one way to overcome procrastination. In fact, it’s likely a lifelong process of building discipline, finding techniques that work for you, and simply prioritizing your time more effectively. Don’t lose hope—remember these tricks and winning the war will be possible, even if you lose a few battles along the way.
DEBRA DOBBS
After selling her gelateria in 1984, Debra Dobbs needed a new project and career. A customer encouraged her to get her real estate license and offered her a job. Since then, Debra explains, “I was just hooked. It was amazing and I had so much fun. And I never looked back.” Today, real estate is a family affair for Debra and The Dobbs Group. With her daughter and a family friend as assistants, as well as her brother and sister-in-law working on marketing and search optimization, Debra has created a successful business of buying and selling homes in the Chicago area. Debra explains that “it’s all happened very organically” and “we’re a very collaborative group.”
Roughly 75 percent of Debra’s business comes from repeats and referrals, so there is no question that her clients are more than pleased by her services. With amazing customer service and attention to detail, Debra has been able to reach great heights. She is extremely dedicated, and is always willing to answer the phone no matter the time of day. This keeps the client’s best interest at the center of every transaction. The Dobbs Group uses its own CRM software in order to create a customized experience for every client, including close to 120 touch-points during each transaction, and Debra has stressed the importance of this behind-the-scenes organization. Additionally, she shares, “I’m also very positive and fun to work with,” which makes clients feel more at home and relaxed throughout what could otherwise be a very stressful process.
Debra’s clients can tell that she is incredibly dedicated to her job, and this pays off throughout their experiences with her. One former client shared in a review of Debra’s services, “Debra is absolutely amazing! My husband and I are definitely picky so looked at a ton of places. Debra was patient and kind and not to mention super fun to see places with throughout the process. I would recommend her to anyone/everyone. My highest praise!”
Working in real estate is undoubtedly a busy career, especially when you share Debra’s view that it is “a 24/7 customer service business.” However, Debra still makes time to be a part of the Chicago community. She is a member of a political action committee and is also involved with local social justice programs, particularly those related to women and children. She is currently taking a motorboat handling class for fun, and one of Debra’s favorite activities is cooking Sunday night suppers with her daughter.
While Debra loves everything about her job, she says that her favorite part is that “every day is completely different.” She thrives in busy situations that require flexibility and problem solving, and meeting so many new people makes her work even more enjoyable. In the future, Debra wants to continue organically growing her business and increasing communication with her clients. She says, “I wake up every morning thankful, grateful, and happy that I can do something that is just still, after all this time, my passion.”
For more about Debra Dobbs, please call 312-307-4909 or email debra@debradobbs.com
Leonard D. Litwin is proud to congratulate DEBRA DOBBS
on being featured for the State of Illinois in Top Agent Magazine!
litwinlaw@aol.com leonardlitwin17@gmail.com
