A strong and profitable business is built on momentum—and momentum is built gradually and steadily, one step at a time. An enemy of every business owner is putting off until tomorrow those things that need to be done today.

American Heritage dictionary defines procrastination as: to postpone or delay needlessly. A successful business results from consistency and dependability, not delay and excuses. Ask yourself, do you…

• Procrastinate in the day-to-day operations of your business?
• Find it difficult to make decisions in a timely manner?
• Tend to put off things you don’t like to do?
• Worry that you might not make wise decisions?
• Delay action until circumstances are “just right”?

This quotation from entrepreneur Donald Trump makes a good point: “The old saying that success breeds success has something to it. It's that feeling of confidence that can banish negativity and procrastination and get you going the right way.”

Conquering Procrastination

As a motivated business owner, you have the power to change what is not working. Here are five tips that may shed some light on the process of recognizing and conquering procrastination.

1. You must set goals for your business.

Does your business concept include a vision for the future? When you know where you are heading, you can develop a workable and motivating plan of action. Without a plan, you are what speaker and author Zig Ziglar calls “a wandering generality.”

Every successful business has a plan for building future successes. A well-thought-out plan of action will in turn generate a well organized to-do list, and a well written to-do list will help you keep moving forward in positive, productive, moneymaking directions. Feeling in control of your goals will help you generate the self-confidence needed to maintain day-to-day forward momentum.

2. Inaction is often tied to indecision.

In his classic book, Think and Grow Rich, Napolian Hill advises, “Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.”

There will never be the perfect moment to take action. The key is consistency. It’s important to take the first, second and third steps with the best information you have available at the time. There are times when you must take a leap of faith to keep moving forward.

3. Good time management makes good business sense.

Carve out quality time to work on your business. Time management is about keeping the important things important. Success in business, and in life, takes self-discipline. Self-discipline involves consistently doing what it takes to ensure that your business goals become a reality.

4. Fear leads to procrastination.

If you should find yourself procrastinating day after day, ask yourself, What am I avoiding? Take a good hard look at the factors and negative emotions that may be behind your procrastination. Here are three fears I often see while coaching women in business.

1. Fear of making choices – If you believe you do not have a good track record for making wise choices, you may procrastinate when making even the smallest decisions.
2. Fear of failure – This often manifests itself in worry that you won’t live up to the expectations you’ve set for yourself, or that others have set for you. I’ve found that fear of failure is often associated with feelings of being judged.
3. Fear of success – I’ve seen women literally sabotage their achievments because they believed that if they succeeded, others would expect more from them, placing unreasonable demands on their time, energy and expertise.

Taking an initial positive step can help eliminate some of the fear that may be holding you back. Focus on channeling your energy toward the parts of your business that are going well. Then use that positive energy to tap into your inner motivators.

5. Lack of self-confidence can stop you in your tracks.

Self-confidence comes from taking action and learning what works and does not work. Yes, you’ll make mistakes, but that is part of learning and growing. With each valuable lesson comes greater self-confidence, and with greater self-confidence comes increased success.

Business success is built on momentum, and momentum begins with positive, consistent action. If you are putting off until tomorrow what needs to be done today, it’s time to ask yourself why you are procrastinating. Success begins one positive, proactive step at a time!

About the Author

Sharon Michaels is a business coach and the author of How to Give Yourself the Power to Succeed(EmPOWERing Publications, 1996). She produces and hosts the weekly radio show, Women Enjoying Success, interviewing and sharing the strategies of self-made successful women. Learn more at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Sharon-Michaels . Read Sharon’s blog,  http://www.SharonMichaels.com/powertosucceed , check out her weekly Ezine, Unlimited Success for Women and visit her website athttp://www.sharonmichaels.com

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