Don't Leave It to the Last Minute
Don't Leave it to the Last Minute
One of the most common mistakes people make, is to leave things until the last minute.
Many people, knowing that they must do something by a particular deadline, will do nothing to prepare.
They say, "I've still got plenty of time." So they wait until there is not a minute to spare, then they get cracking and make an all-out effort to achieve the deadline.
Only last week I agreed to give Les a lift in my car to the train station. Les arrived at my office at 8 o'clock and said, "Are you okay to take me to the station?"
I said "Yes, let me just finish this email and I'll be right with you."
Les said, "Please hurry, my train leaves in 20 minutes."
"Twenty minutes? It takes at least that time to drive to the station".
Les said, "Yes, and I have to get my ticket from the machine when I get there, so hurry up or you will make me late!"
"I will make you late? You have left things till the very last minute again, Les!"
Allow plenty of time
Les is not the only one. There are many people who don't allow sufficient time. They leave it. They wait until their brain tells them that if they don't move NOW they will miss the boat.
When the mental pressure of a deadline grows to boiling point, then and only then, do they take action. They operate from an emotional position of deadline driven, crisis management situation. They even claim that it is the right thing to do, since, they believe "they work better under pressure."
What they mean is they work harder under pressure. But they don't work better.
Leaving things until the last minute gives you no slippage. The fact is things do go wrong. Unexpected events DO happen. People make errors, things break down.
This means you may have to act on impulse, and impulsive action is often inefficient or undesirable.
Leaving things to the last minute affects your colleague's plans too. If you wait until the last minute to do your part of the task, then you force others to miss their deadlines too and you make them look inefficient and potentially lose customers.
If you are a procrastinator, you will build a bad reputation for yourself. And you will suffer the consequences of being a person who cannot be trusted to get the job done on time.
Remember: it is not about trying to make yourself work harder and longer. It is about making more progress in less time.
Preparation is the key to progress
Prepare, well in advance of the need. Do this by:
Deciding what is it you want to achieve, and writing down your goals.
Plan what you need to do every day, and make a list of the most important tasks to do each day.
Delegate any tasks that can be done by others.
Do things in advance of need and you will always be ahead of the game, relaxed and efficient.
Remember the old saying: "The early bird catches the worm." Preparation is the distinguishing factor that separates the winners from the losers.
Stop Procrastinating
Procrastination is the act of putting-off a task because you are not in the mood to do it. You could do it. You should do it. But you are not in the mood, so you don't.
Could, should, don't - This is a recipe for disaster. It leads to missed deadlines, late work, conflicts and arguments.
Instead, never procrastinate. If you could do it, and you should do it, then DO it. Do it even if you are not in the mood to do it. This is self-discipline.
Stop distracting yourself by mistaking pleasant tasks for important tasks and thinking you are making progress. Tasks you feel like doing, are not necessarily the ones you should be doing.
Preparation beats procrastination, every time.
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Definition: Procrastination
In business, procrastination is a habit of delaying a task that you could and should do now. It shows when you choose to put the job off, know the delay will harm results, have all you need to start, and do an easier or more pleasant thing instead. Remove any one of these traits and it stops being procrastination.
Show CG4D Definition
- You choose to put the task off
- You know the delay will harm results
- You have all you need to start now
- You do a less important or easier thing instead
Article Summary
Great work seldom comes from a race against the clock; it comes from clear goals, early action and a calm pace. Plan ahead, start early and you dodge last-minute stress, cut errors and hit more goals-teams that prepare early meet 89% of targets, while late planners hit only 47%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
Why is doing a task at the last minute a bad idea?
How does early preparation improve work quality?
What daily actions help me plan ahead and meet deadlines?
Is it true that people work better under pressure?
How does putting tasks off affect colleagues?
What simple tricks build self-discipline for time management?
Does delegating tasks really help me avoid a last-minute rush?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
The 2024 Asana Anatomy of Work report found that 26% of office workers miss at least one deadline each week because of poor planning. Project Management Institute’s 2024 study shows that teams with strong forward planning meet 89% of their goals, while teams that plan late meet only 47%.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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Further Reading in Time Management
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The 80/20 Rule - Pareto Principle - Explained
Learn how the 80/20 rule helps you spot the few tasks that drive most results, cut busywork, and boost work efficiency, time management and business productity.
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Good Time Management is Stress Management
Discover proven time management tips to reduce work stress, prioritise tasks and defeat procrastination so you work smarter, meet deadlines and feel calm daily.
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How to plan your time effectively
Learn time management: plan ahead, focus on top goals, set priorities, delegate tasks and keep a tidy workspace to boost productivity and control your day.
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What is Time Blocking and Protected Time?
Time blocking and protected time let you plan fixed focus blocks, cut distractions and finish projects faster. Learn how to set them up for productivity gains.
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What is the Pomodoro Technique?
Learn how the Pomodoro Technique uses 25-minute work cycles and five-minute breaks to lift focus, cut mistakes and boost work efficiency all day no burnout.
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