I get one of two responses when the subject of my End Procrastination NOW! program comes up when I’m speaking with individuals.

One is an uncomfortable chuckle, followed a verbal “I’ll get back to you later about that.” These I’ve become used to and have stopped getting upset about the lack of seriousness some people apply to a habit that may be sabotaging their level of personal and professional success.

The second is an even more dangerous reply. This is a reply that hides that fact that procrastination is even an issue for the individual. It is a true blind spot, an issue of denial or just plain ignorance, I’m not sure which, and it’s probably different for everyone.

This response is simple and basic, “oh, I don’t procrastinate.” I am always intrigued by that comment.

I was reminded of the seriousness of this type of thinking the other night at an event where I gave away as a door prize a copy of my “End Procrastination NOW!” home study workshop CD.

The woman who won the prize came up to thank me afterward and told me that procrastination is not a problem for her. Almost simultaneously, from over my should I heard someone (it turned out to be her job search mentor) say, “when are you going to get me your resume?”

Intrigued, I asked a question and the ensuing conversation went like this:

Me: “What’s the issue with getting your resume to Andy?”

She: “Oh, I haven’t started it yet because I really don’t even know where to begin.”

Me: “So you are procastinating on get started on it.”

She: “No, I just don’t know where and how to begin.”

Me: “Right, so you are avoiding starting it for fear of doing it wrong, which is procrastination.”

She: “Well, no I’m still just trying to figure where to start.”

Me: “Ok, then, enjoy the CD and let me know if you have any questions after you listen to it.”

This woman is not alone. One of my former consulting clients whom I helped transition from a successful Manhattan dental practice into a slower paced, suburban dental practice here in the Hudson Valley proclaimed at the beginning of our work together that he didn’t procrastinate.

His explanation was that he mustn’t procrastinate because he’s always busy, always moving and working on projects moving his practice forward. I allowed him to live in his fantasy until I learned his $600,000 dental practice had $140,000 in accounts receivable that were more than 60-days.

Turns out he was keeping himself busy to avoid dealing with the more difficult issue of collections.

These are just two examples, I could go on, but I think you get the drift.

Here’s a link to a worksheet that may be helpful if you may have a tendency for avoiding uncomfortable items, tasks, etc. and end up tolerating things that cause you even more angst and discomfort at the end of your day.

To learn more about how to End Procrastination NOW! you may want to go here.