Do It Today: How to Not Let Procrastination Get in Your Way by Adrean Turner

Photo by Magnet.me on Unsplash

You’ve heard the saying “Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow?”  That quote is attributed to Aaron Burr, the vice president of Thomas Jefferson, who’s quoted as saying the opposite: “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” That speaks volumes of the differences of these two men.

Unfortunately, at one time or another, we all have responded like Burr when it comes to getting things done. Procrastination is a widely prevalent phenomenon. Research indicates that before the COVID-19 crisis, approximately 20 percent of the adult population and around 50 percent of the student population procrastinate in a consistent and problematic manner, meaning that they experience significant difficulties in their everyday life as a result of their procrastination. 

Procrastinating until you’re under the gun used to be my way of getting things done. If I had a deadline of Tuesday, I was up all night Monday plowing through the assignment. I can tell you from my own personal experience that it comes at a great price. The anxiety and stress associated with this type of pressure can be overwhelming and affect other areas of your life. 

Timothy Pychyl, a psychology professor at Carleton University, has studied procrastination for more than 19 years. Dr. Pychyl found that the main thing driving procrastination is not avoiding work. It’s avoiding stress. 

In the book the The Five Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage, Mel Robbins says, “We procrastinate because we feel stressed out. Here’s the catch…you aren’t stressed about the work. You are stressed out about the bigger stuff: money, relationship problems, or life in general.” Procrastinating over our work is a mini stress break from the bigger stress felt in general. 

If you find yourself putting things off and delaying tasks for the future, it’s time to make a change. Try these strategies to procrastinate less and get more done. 

1. Become more aware. The only person you’re fooling is yourself. Stop living in denial. Accept that you are a procrastinator. Otherwise, you’ll never be able to address the issue and work on overcoming it. 

2. Think about what your procrastination is costing you. Is your procrastination putting your job at risk? Do you have a million things to do around the house that just aren’t getting done? If you stop and think about the consequences, it may give you the motivation to work on ways to fix it. 

3. Make a list and prioritize. Sometimes we put things off simply because we don’t want to deal with them. Determine the type of task, the amount of time needed to complete each step, and the required resources to complete the assignment. Then put them in order of importance. Organizing your activities will make it easier to stay on track. Start small and set bigger goals as you gain momentum.

4. Eliminate distractions. If you are in the middle of a project when the telephone rings or the computer pings, let it wait. Your results are determined by your discipline to stay focused. Turn off the ringer and let others know you’re unavailable.  

Keep in mind, these strategies are helpful only if you use them. Start today. Let go of procrastination and say hello to more success in managing your time and tasks. For more tips to get more done and manage your time, watch my video on how to create a success list to accomplish your goals. 

Adrean Turner is an author, certified career coach, speaker, professional development trainer, and business consultant. She leverages 23 years of experience in management, marketing, operations, teaching, and training to partner with individuals, entrepreneurs, and organizations to achieve their maximum potential. For more information and inspiration from Adrean, read her book F.I.T. for Success: Fearless, Inspired, Transformed for Success. You can follow Adrean on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Expand Your Comfort Zone by Adrean Turner

Comfort zones can become cages. 

I was working on a client project that was a gateway to other awesome opportunities. And quite frankly, I was doing something I’d never done before. Naturally, negative thoughts started to crowd my mind. To fight back, I remembered the last time I experienced something like this. I told myself, “This isn’t your first challenge, and it won’t be the last. You’ve been down this road before, and you always pull through.” And true to form, the right people showed up. I found the proper tools. I learned along the way. Things literally fell into place. 

When reaching for greater goals and taking on new challenges remember: 

SUCCESS BEGINS AT THE END OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE 

Numerous studies http://www.psychologyinspain.com/content/full/2005/full.asp?id=9010 confirm that there are three primary emotions we experience when dealing with change: cynicism, fear, and acceptance. To expand beyond your comfort zone, you have to choose between status quo and growth. Take action and see positive changes in your life and career with these tips. Start small! Big changes are scary.  

MAKE A SMALL CHANGE AND STRETCH A LITTLE FARTHER EACH WEEK 

If you’re afraid of heights, look out a second story window. The following week, try the third floor. Several small changes are as effective as a single, larger one. If attending networking events gives you hives, invite one person you’d like to develop a relationship with to join you in a virtual meeting. Perhaps you want to be considered for a promotion, but you are afraid to ask your manager. Start by gathering a list of your accomplishments and speaking to a mentor or coach for advice. You’ll gain confidence one step at a time. 

Comfort zones can be cages that limit life experiences. Consider shaking things up a bit by watching and listening to something new. Read a different type of book than you normally would read. Listen to a new type of music. Have you ever had Vietnamese, Korean, or vegan food? Try new foods. If it’s uncomfortable, that’s precisely the point. Learn to deal with a little discomfort. 

Get beyond your comfort zone by meditating each evening for a month. Avoid procrastination for a week. Take on a new activity. Have you ever golfed, hiked, or salsa danced? Take a coding class. Recently, I learned to fly drones. It’s been so much fun and I’ve met incredible people who are drone pilots. If you don’t try anything new, you’ll never know what you’ll learn or love. 

BUST OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND EXPERIENCE LIFE FROM A NEW PERSPECTIVE  

A little bravery can expand your opportunities and enlighten your journey. Decide right now on one thing you’ll do to expand your zone, and do it. Remember, you are only one decision away from a completely different life. 

Adrean Turner is an author, certified career coach, speaker, professional development trainer, and business consultant. She leverages 23 years of experience in management, marketing, operations, teaching, and training to partner with individuals, entrepreneurs, and organizations to achieve their maximum potential. For more information and inspiration from Adrean, read her book F.I.T. for Success: Fearless, Inspired, Transformed for Success. You can follow Adrean on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Three Leadership Tips for African American Women by Adrean Turner

It’s no secret. Numerous studies including the “The Women’s Leadership Gap” reveal that women lag substantially behind men when it comes to their representation in leadership positions. This is in spite of research that women score higher than men in most leadership skills. The statistics are even bleaker for women of color. It is said that African American women face the “concrete wall,” which is more difficult to penetrate than the glass ceiling.  

Yet, despite daunting revelations of fewer role models for African American women and more restricted pathways, achieving and maintaining success as a leader is possible. Here are 3 tips to enhance your visibility and excel. 

1. BE THE BEST VERSION OF YOU 

Although some research suggests the need to code-switch to move ahead, Delphia Howze, HR Director of Employee Relations and Development and President of SHRM, Tompkins County, reminds women to be confident in themselves. Delphia says, “Always be authentically present! Doing so allows our skills, experiences, and potential to shine in a genuine way. It is not necessary for us to be chameleons and to change pieces of ourselves in an effort to fit in. Who we are is good enough! Now, with that, comes the responsibility to ensure that we are constantly nurturing and challenging ourselves to develop and grow to be our best selves.” You are your most authentic self when you know yourself. Understand your strengths and weaknesses and then own your brand. People who define and live their brand naturally exude executive presence and therefore, find themselves excelling throughout an organization. By being true to you, you’ll naturally attract the success you desire. 

2. GET SUPPORT 

You will have challenges as you learn and grow. Having mentors and sponsors are key for your success. Mentors provide valuable advice, resources, and they assist with career mapping. Mentors talk to you. However, sponsors are individuals that talk about you. In the TED Talk, “How to Find the Person Who Will Help You Get Ahead at Work,” Carla Harris, Vice Chairman, Managing Director & Senior Client Advisor, Morgan Stanley, says, “You are not going to ascend in any organization without a sponsor. It is the critical relationship in your career. Sponsors are those who have your best interests at heart.” Further, Shirell A. Gross, Esq., President of Shirell Speaks, explains, “It is important to develop relationships across businesses and functions within a company. You want your name to come up often and with many. It is imperative that a broad coalition of individuals understand your value and contribution to the company.” 

3. BE BOLD AND TAKE RISKS 

When you do things differently, you get noticed. Taking a risk is an opportunity to stand out and to present yourself as a leader, not a follower satisfied with the status quo. Ursula Burns learned that when she challenged the then-CEO of Xerox Corporation. By speaking out in a town hall meeting, Ursula gained a sponsor and later became the first African American woman to be named as CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Be tenacious. Accept challenging projects. These assignments will help you to develop new skill sets and demonstrate your commitment to the growth of the organization. 

“Leaders are not born, they’re made.” — Vince Lombardi 

When leadership is viewed as a goal and not a role, you will take action, build relationships, and make changes that may be uncomfortable or unconventional to realize success. Stay focused. And keep going! It is possible! 

Adrean Turner is an author, certified career coach, speaker, professional development trainer, and business consultant. She leverages 23 years of experience in management, marketing, operations, teaching, and training to partner with individuals, entrepreneurs, and organizations to achieve their maximum potential. For more information and inspiration from Adrean, read her book F.I.T. for Success: Fearless, Inspired, Transformed for Success. You can follow Adrean on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Eight Ways to Build Trust and Credibility by Adrean Turner

Do you remember playing the “TRUST” game as a child? Shaking and holding your breath, you stood in front of someone and hoped that when you fell backward they would catch you and not let you fall to the ground. It was nerve-wracking to let go and rely on them to keep you from getting hurt. But after they caught you the first time, you were more willing to lean back again and again without fear. That’s because they had earned your trust.   

That same kind of trust is important to build solid relationships for career success. Trustworthy people are invaluable to organizations. They are influencers who consistently demonstrate a pattern of behavior that enhances their credibility. In fact, according to DDI, a global leadership consulting firm, 99 percent of employees think that trust in the workplace is a vital need at work. Trust comes from accepting a person for who they are and appreciating their uniqueness rather than asking them (or expecting them) to be someone else.  

To build trust and increase your leadership abilities to capitalize on opportunities of advancement, here are eight ways to support you in keeping it together: 

1. KEEP YOUR WORD! Reliability is a primary component of trust. Your promise should be as binding as a contract. Follow through on every commitment. Focus on exceeding expectations and building a reputation of accountability. 

2. KEEP GOOD COMPANY! You are the sum of your interactions and experiences. Surround yourself with people of high integrity who are positive, energetic, and results-oriented to inspire and guide you.  

3. KEEP THE PEACE! Learn how to disagree without being disagreeable. Recognize the value in the opinion of others.  

4. KEEP CONTROL! Manage your emotions when you are stressed or under pressure. Your emotional intelligence (EI) has a strong impact on how you are perceived and the way you respond in challenging situations. It’s not only what you bring to the table; it’s how you serve it that matters.  

5. KEEP THE VISION! Remember the overall goal. Gain credibility by helping others achieve their objectives. 

6. KEEP IT HONEST! When you’re open and honest, others don’t have to guess your motivations or intentions. Admit when you are wrong. You’ll be respected for truthfulness and transparency. 

7. KEEP RECORDS! Ask others to write a recommendation for you. Use their words to build your reputation and advance your agenda. 

8. KEEP QUIET! Be a good listener. When people are speaking, give them your full attention. It exemplifies respect and trust and enhances communication. 

Gaining credibility and trustworthiness doesn’t happen overnight. Just KEEP GOING! Don’t be dismayed if at one time or another you let someone down. No one is perfect. But your history will speak loudly of your character if you’ve established a solid foundation. Demonstrate these trusting behaviors to support you in getting there faster. 

 Adrean Turner is an author, certified career coach, speaker, professional development trainer, and business consultant. She leverages 23 years of experience in management, marketing, operations, teaching, and training to partner with individuals, entrepreneurs, and organizations to achieve their maximum potential. For more information and inspiration from Adrean, read her book F.I.T. for Success: Fearless, Inspired, Transformed for Success. You can follow Adrean on Twitter @coachADREAN, on Facebook @coachadrean, on Instagram @coachadrean, and on YouTube @CoachAdrean. 

Three Self-Assertiveness Strategies to Gain More Power and Influence by Adrean Turner

Building assertiveness is the key to getting your seat at the corporate table and enhancing your interactions with others.

During my tenure as a corporate employee in the manufacturing division of a Fortune 500 company, I was often the only female in team meetings. I knew that speaking up and communicating ideas effectively were important for my success. I could never become a member of the “good ol’ boys club,” but I could influence their respect for me and their perception of my contributions to organizational goals.  

As you seek success in business, personal relationships, or any venture, it helps to take stock of your level of self-assertiveness. Assertiveness is the ability to express yourself honestly without undue self-doubt or anxiety. Assertive people are confident, self-assured, and often recognized as leaders. It’s apparent not only in their communication, but in their behaviors as well. 

 While some people are born assertive, for others self-assertiveness is a cultivated skill. I was fortunate enough to attend an all-girls high school that focused on ways to be effective in these kinds of settings. 

If you need solutions to deal with an office bully, overzealous friend, aggressive business partner, or to improve your negotiation skills, implement these three strategies to gain control and enhance your interactions with others. 

 1. Identify your boundaries and set limits.  

Don’t be a pushover. Figure out where to draw the line when dealing with others. How much abuse are you willing to take? Be honest with yourself and avoid letting self-doubt stop you from defining new boundaries. 

Start by writing down your plan to manage various situations. Research suggests that externalizing your thought process improves your chances of making a lasting impact on your future behavior. Pay attention to your internal reactions. Recall past situations in which you let someone go too far. How did you feel? At what point could you have put your foot down? Write it. See it. Say it. And put it into action. 

 2. Eliminate toxic relationships. 

Empower yourself by letting go of individuals and partnerships that drain your energy and stifle your growth. If discussions and collaborations are unhealthy, it’s time to move on. While the split may be painful initially, you will flourish once you’re free of those influences. 

Simply begin by declining meetings, limiting conversations, engaging in other activities of interest, and cultivating new relationships. You don’t have to make a grand announcement or hold a forum. Let your actions speak for you. You’ll build self-esteem and confidence, which will attract individuals who will treat you with the respect you deserve. 

3. Think on purpose. 

As you become more assertive, you’ll need a strategy to deal with individuals who overstep your boundaries. Maintain a calm demeanor for effective communication even if they become defensive. The individual may feel as if they’re under attack, especially if you haven’t taken them to task before. In this situation, they will likely try to derail you by changing the subject. Use the ASSA method to keep discussions on topic and to the point: 

• Alert the person that you would like to speak with them. 

• State your grievance clearly and calmly. 

• Sell the benefits of them altering their behavior. 

• Agree that they’ll do things differently in the future. 

 You’ll likely find that becoming assertive will change your life. You’ll gain the confidence needed to develop beneficial relationships with colleagues, partners, and your management team. And you’ll attract opportunities that facilitate personal and professional success. 

For tips to “Get Rid of Misperceptions about Success,” check out this video below. 

This article originally appeared here on www.coachadrean.com. 

Adrean Turner is an author, certified career coach, speaker, professional development trainer, and business consultant. She leverages 23 years of experience in management, marketing, operations, teaching, and training to partner with individuals, entrepreneurs, and organizations to achieve their maximum potential. For more information and inspiration from Adrean, read her book F.I.T. for Success: Fearless, Inspired, Transformed for Success. You can follow Adrean on Twitter @coachADREAN, on Facebook @coachadrean, on Instagram @coachadrean, and on YouTube @CoachAdrean. 

Change Your Habits with Three Simple Steps by Adrean Turner

Are you spending more time on the Internet and not enough time dreaming or actually “living” your life? Do you shop more and save less? Perhaps you struggle to see the glass as refillable. Bad habits are the easiest to identify because we typically feel guilty either during or after them. 

Often new habits are formed when we make small improvements for our overall well-being, whether that’s healthy eating, positive thinking, or exercising. However, habits are more than just a form of self-care. They can shape our identities and help us achieve major career goals. This is an idea that behavior modification expert James Clear covers in his recent book Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones. When we want to make a career move—whether it’s getting a promotion, changing companies, or starting a business—we’re not just taking actions to achieve a goal; we are becoming a new person. 

To change your habits for greater clarity, productivity, and results, implement these three steps: 

1. REPEAT your new habits. Consistency is key. Studies show that it takes at least 21 days to eliminate a bad habit and create a new, positive habit. Discipline is the bridge between goals and achievement. Repetition will make new habits a reality. 
   Bad habits are powerful because you don’t even think about them. You just do them. 

2. REPLACE your bad habit with something else. For instance, if you’re trying to be more positive, when negative thoughts arise recite affirmations or inspirational quotes. Perhaps your goal is to eat healthier. Substitute those salty, high-calorie snacks with fruit. Think about what your bad habit gives you and find a replacement that provides the same benefit. You have to be purposeful. 
   Habits don’t have a lot of thought behind them—they’re almost like reflexes. 

3. REMOVE your triggers. If you smoke, stay away from the places you always smoke. If you’re trying to save money, avoid the places that tempt you to spend a lot of money. Better yet, automatically send your “shopping budget” to a savings account when you get paid. 

 Bad habits are like a comfortable bed. They are easy to get into but hard to get out of. But IT IS POSSIBLE to achieve what you believe and work for. 

This post originally appeared here on www.coachadrean.com. 

Adrean Turner is an author, certified career coach, speaker, professional development trainer, and business consultant. She leverages 23 years of experience in management, marketing, operations, teaching, and training to partner with individuals, entrepreneurs, and organizations to achieve their maximum potential. For more information and inspiration from Adrean, read her book F.I.T. for Success: Fearless, Inspired, Transformed for Success. You can follow Adrean on Twitter @coachADREAN, on Facebook @coachadrean, on Instagram @coachadrean, and on YouTube @CoachAdrean. 

Five Solutions to Get Unstuck and Gain Fulfillment by Adrean Turner

My grandmother used to say, “Just because you’re moving doesn’t mean that you’re going anywhere.” She then remarked, as she was sitting in a rocking chair, “You see, I’m in motion, but my position isn’t changing.” That is often the case for most individuals who find themselves dissatisfied in the workplace or their home lives. They are “doing things” but not accomplishing goals that enable them to move forward. Do you wonder why it is that our lives rarely change, even when we’re miserable? 

The answer may very well lie in the way we think. In fact, it’s proven that there are effective forces within our minds that conspire to keep us stuck—so much so that we don’t even realize it’s happening. 

If you sometimes feel like you’re running in mud, discover these reasons why you may be in a rut and what you can do to get unstuck: 

RUT 1: You’re uncertain about what you want. Indecisiveness is a major factor affecting individuals’ ability to achieve success. If you think you might like to be a psychologist but also think becoming a writer sounds interesting, you’re stuck. At some point, it’s necessary to make a clear decision and set a goal. Begin by answering these questions to identify your talents and interests: 

• What are your natural gifts and abilities? 

• What would you do if money weren’t an option? 

• What books, shows, or music do you most enjoy? 

• What are you passionate about? 

RUT 2: You lack knowledge necessary to make a change. You might know that you need to be more confident, but you might also lack the knowledge of how to develop confidence. Figure out the skills needed for you to realize the change you desire in your life. This may involve additional training, developing new professional relationships, volunteering, or even taking a lower-paying job. Then create and implement a plan to achieve success. Change is not about being perfect; it’s all about effort.  

RUT 3: You lack willpower or fail to use it effectively. Willpower is limited, but it’s great for creating new habits and behavioral patterns. Sticking with a task after the urge to quit surfaces can develop willpower. Implement these exercises to increase your self-control: 

1. Eliminate as many choices as possible. We all have a finite store of mental energy for exercising self-control. The more choices we make during the day, the harder each one is on our brain. Therefore, making fewer choices helps us make smarter choices. 

2. Make choices in advance. It’s easier to make smart choices when a decision isn’t right in front of you. For example, decide now what you’ll have for breakfast tomorrow. Or determine now what you will do tomorrow to increase your productivity. It’s important to conserve your mental energy for the decisions that really matter. 

3. Do the hardest thing you need to do first. You have the greatest amount of mental energy early in the morning. Decide what those things are and tackle them before anything else.

Use your willpower to develop small habits that can grow into useful routines. 

RUT 4: You can’t deal with being uncomfortable. Anxiety, nervousness, and fear are great for preventing you from jumping off a ten-story building. But they are barriers when it comes to getting unstuck. It’s often said that the only constant in life is change. To overcome limiting beliefs try these techniques: 

• Consider the “harm” and the opportunities associated with the change. For example, you won’t die from giving a speech. But you can improve your professional presence by doing so. Use the logical part of your brain to override your primitive instincts. 

• Implement stress relievers to lower your levels of discomfort. Meditation, prayer, and exercising are a few that can be beneficial. 

• Break down tasks into manageable chunks. It’s important to see the big picture, but you don’t have to do everything at once. Start small and push through your discomfort. Your ability to handle the bigger and scarier situations will grow with experience. 

RUT 5: You give up too quickly. Most people don’t achieve change because they drop out before they graduate to the next level of success. Change not only takes effort, but it takes time to see the fruits of your labor. Most likely, 80 percent of the change you seek won’t reveal itself until at least 80 percent of the work is done. Although your early efforts show little results, recognize the things that are happening behind the scenes. Perseverance is the key to realizing meaningful change. 

To change your life, change your priorities and understand the roadblocks preventing you from moving forward. Many people live like a feather blowing in the wind, never having a true direction. It’s important to choose your destination. Leaving things to chance is choosing not to use your power. Set new goals and reinforce them. Each day, rewrite your goal and imagine how you’ll feel when you accomplish it. They’ll become a priority over all the other noise in your head. And eventually you will enhance your ability to bring about fulfillment. 

You have everything within to have an AMAZING life and career.  All things are possible! Just keep going! 

This post originally appeared here on www.coachadrean.com. Get more information and inspiration in Adrean’s book, F.I.T. for Success: Fearless, Inspired, Transformed for Success. 

8 Ways to Improve Your Leadership Skills by Adrean Turner

Today’s organizations are struggling to recruit and retain valuable employees. Employee engagement is less than 30 percent in most industries.  

A leader is NOT born. A leader is created, and the whole process starts inside the most dangerous place you’ll ever encounter—your own mind. How can you become a strong leader who inspires others, drives people toward excellence, holds people accountable, and instills a sense of trust? Learning what makes a great leader is your first step.  

Here are some things you can do to become the leader you’ve always wanted to be: 

(1) Control yourself. Every great leader in history has had to become a master of self-discipline and willpower in order to stay focused on the big picture. If you don’t have a goal or the drive to achieve it, you can’t lead others to attain theirs. 

The man who cannot control himself, can never control others. Self-control sets a mighty example for one’s followers, which the more intelligent will emulate. ~ Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich 

(2) Follow through in everything you do. As challenging as it may be, you need to be disciplined enough to be where you need to be, when you need to be there, whether you want to or not. By being strong in your resolve and resisting temptation to give up, you are setting an example for others to live up to. 

(3) Choose your emotional response to a situation carefully. Sometimes you’ll need to practice the art of silencing your inner thoughts when they’re not appropriate in order to set a positive example. 

(4) Project your goals. If the people you’re leading don’t completely understand the deeper meaning in their work, they won’t share your vision or work ethic. Every step of the way, communicate with your team to make sure they’re on the same wavelength and know what you expect of them. 

(5) Get your team involved in the planning process and the implementation of your ideas. This gives everyone a greater sense of ownership toward the end result. 

A successful person finds the right place for himself. But a successful leader finds the right place for others. ― John C. Maxwell  

(6) Praise highly and criticize constructively. The way you praise and criticize others can make all the difference in being able to lead effectively. Make sure you publicly praise the people who do excellent work for you. You’ll give the person a sense of accomplishment and the drive to do even better. When someone does something wrong, offer constructive criticism and do it privately. Suggest solutions on how they can improve and take the time to answer any questions. They’ll accept your input more willingly if they know it’s done to help and not to harm. 

(7) Know your people. You can’t truly lead a group of people unless you truly understand their hopes, dreams, struggles, pains, and goals. All the good intentions in the world mean nothing unless you have a true sense of the people with whom you’re working. Getting to know each other on a personal level will strengthen the bond between you. They’ll want to do better for you because you’re more than just a “boss.” 

(8) Make the hard call. There are times when you have to bite the bullet and make some unpleasant decisions. Firing, demoting, and holding people accountable for their actions can be very hard at times. As a leader, it’s your responsibility to handle these matters.  

Regardless of where your leadership role takes you, believe that you can be a strong leader. Remember that in order to lead others, you must be disciplined yourself. After all, your actions will speak louder than anything you can say. In order to gain the respect of others, strive to lead by example in every area of your life.

This post originally appeared here on www.coachadrean.com. Get more information and inspiration in Adrean’s book, F.I.T. for Success: Fearless, Inspired, Transformed for Success.