Last Minute Queen

PatP3005

I have a dirty secret to share. And I need your help and advice in getting rid of it. I leave almost everything until the last minute. I don`t do it on purpose. I`m actually very organized. (In fact, I think that may be part of the problem) I know when a deadline is coming, I know about how long it will take (or I think I know), and then I work until midnight to get it out on time. Part of the problem is that I have a lot to do. Business is good. So I`m often just taking care of what seems most important - putting out fires. I end up at the last moment calling a client for a last minute needed detail - it embarrasses me and I think it is unprofessional.
Would you mind sharing with me your strategies for overcoming this problem? I know I can`t be the only one with this disease. And I believe others have overcome it. I have read time management books, I have read get organized books. But they don`t seem to help me. I don`t think they address whatever is at the heart of this problem. I`d love to hear from fellow sufferers and overcomers. Thanks,

MNGrillGuy

Standard work.  All processes need to be documented.  Templates are great too.

SunnyDays

I know that I work my best when I am under pressure, but I also learned that life can be so much easier without the stress of the pressure and like you said it doesn`t leave a good impression - especially not with clients.
So seeing that i had to change my workstyle, I simply started with the work I don`t like that much first thing in the morning ..I better concentrate then and its funny how easy and fast things get done. After I got rid of the stuff I don`t like I treat myself with some work I really enjoy doing Give it a try
And then there is always an option to outsource some of  the work as someone already suggested
Good luck in getting rid of that bad habbit !
 

PatP3005

I am a perfectionist. And right now I feel completely overwhelmed with the amount of work that I have to do. I am full-time self-employed, working from home. I`ll have to give some thought to what I could outsource. I do accounting and taxes. That`s part of the problem right now; just got through tax season and picked up several new clients. But those clients need a full year`s worth of bookkeeping and accounting done, plus, I was so busy during tax season that I let my own books get behind. My husband has a business and also works from home. I let his books get behind too. So I`m feeling like a lot of what I have to do is an A priority.
CampSteve, I`d be interested in knowing more about your to-do list that can be changed with a click of the mouse. I`ve tried various software approaches and the to-do list can become one more thing "to-do".
And SunnyDays, I`m just the opposite. I don`t really get cranking until about 2 p.m. I`m in the office by 9 a.m. It would help tremendously if I knew before stopping for the day what I would be working on in the morning. If I wait until morning to decide I just sort of spin my wheels.

smurph05

I don`t procrastinate but I have a similar problem though. I am a certified ADD poster child..umm...adult. I live by lists, they are essential to my getting anything done. At the end of every day I make a list of everything that needs to get done the following day and I force myself to stick to it no matter what. You need to break down your work into manageable bits and make a list for the entire week. Leave some leeway for the `fires` but force yourself to stick to it. I use an old fashion pen and paper because I am a very tactile and visual person. Something about actually writing helps me remember events and helps me visualize my day.