We had never met but her voice was more than familiar. This was probably the fourth time Debbie had called to set up an appointment. It was an “emergency”, she said. It was always an emergency. She had an interview scheduled, a job fair to attend, or an associate that wanted to see her resume. She discussed her needs, set up an appointment and then either called to cancel the appointment or when I called to confirm the appointment she wanted to reschedule. The voice was familiar and so was the “pattern.”
Is this simply a case of procrastination? Everyone is surely familiar with the Society of Procrastinators – an organization that never has any meetings because they just never get around to it. Do you fall into this category? Do you have close friends, relatives or associates who are classic procrastinators? Is it something you feel is “fixable”.
Procrastination is defined as “the deferment or avoidance of an action or task”. The term comes from the Latin word, “procrastinatus: pro- (forward) and crastinus (of tomorrow). Strange as it may seem, for some the procrastination is linked to perfectionism. Not doing or completing a task perfectly is such a problem to some individuals; it is best not to do it at all. There are all levels and categories of procrastination. For some it is chronic, others just cast it off as a mild personality “characteristic”, or a basic time management problem. The chronic procrastinators have all sorts of explanations as to why they can’t get to the task at hand. The time discussing why they can’t get to it could be spent actually doing the task. But that, like so many other things are much more easily said than done.
There are relaxed procrastinators. These are the type of people who just fill up their time doing “other things”. They know that they have tasks with higher importance or priorities but choose to do things that may be more fun or more social. Another type of procrastinator is the type of person who is overwhelmed. Most tasks seem filled with pressure and stress, just by their mere existence. These are the people who are always saying that it will be better to start the task, or the diet or the assignment after “such and such an event” – after the holidays, over the weekend, early in the morning, later in the day. There’s always a “better time” to do it. The time is never NOW. Deadlines loom and then they feel more and more guilty and they become even more overwhelmed. Not productive, just overwhelmed.
Most people have areas where they tend to procrastinate, but for others it is a way of life. Their expectations of themselves are low. Their intentions are there, but the execution is not.
When I get a call, and then multiple calls from prospective clients such as Debbie, there’s not much I can say. They get so far as to make the call, they even make the appointment. But something else comes along. The logic isn’t there. They KNOW they need to get their resume done to get to the next phase of the goal of getting a new job or move their career in a different direction. I can only hope that the “Debbie’s” out there are reading this – (or maybe that they have a really good friend reading this) – making the call or the appointment is a good start, but getting through the door is what makes it happen. Seek out a professional career development coach. Writing your own resume may seem like an overwhelming, and unwanted task, but working on it as a team can jump start the results and the changes you are seeking.
Lauren Castle is the owner of Impress Express, a professional image firm, focusing on career development, resume preparation, presentation skills, etiquette and interview coaching. We are members of the Professional Association of Resume Writers. For help with your image, posting your resume, or preparing your internet-friendly resume, contact Lauren directly at 858-459-7400. And, as always, please forward your image and career-related questions to info@impress-express.com for further information.