You may have never heard of the 3 P’s but you have probably met them. Much of our lives are spent managing a flow of responsibilities and commitments. Too often we are backlogged and overwhelmed.
We can find ourselves in situations where we are frustrated by our efforts and disappointed in the results. We often feel caught in a cyclical trap of: 1) procrastinate, 2) panic and 3) produce.
- Procrastinate: First we receive a new responsibility. It may be assigned or the result of our own goal setting. It gets filed on our “To-do” list. Lists vary from mental reminders, to sticky notes to high powered web based systems. It likely goes to the back of some, already, overwhelming, overdue stack. So, we do what comes naturally. We ignore it. We let it sit and wait, wait until some unknown moment when we get a message.
- Panic: The message is that something needs happen, happen now, or the consequences will be real and soon. We panic. Adrenaline spikes and we revert to the proverbial college student on an all-nighter.
- Produce: We get it done. Maybe not our best effort and or the most satisfying results. But it is done and we can relax…until we notice the next thing moving toward deadline and renewed panic.
It’s habit, it normal, it’s what everybody does. We have plenty of excuses, but the question is, can there be a better way?
The answer is yes. But it is not a one size fits all, quick fix. Time and responsibility management needs to fit the person to be successful. You can buy programs, take classes and download apps, but if the system doesn’t match the person it will soon be abandoned.
Through coaching I can help you identify reasons for being trapped by the 3 P’s. Together we can develop your way of planning and managing life commitments and responsibilities. Contact me if you’d like to break the oppressive cycle and move forward toward better things.
